Reflections on the UBE Gala from Marti Hunt

I feel a great deal of energy, and I will say spirit at General Convention. This was powerfully felt at the Union of Black Episcopalians Gala the Evening of July 4th. It was the 50th anniversary!

It was an incredible gathering of 400 people when 300 had been expected. I don’t know how the loaves and fishes or in our case chicken and shrimp expanded, but it happened and it was a beautiful thing.

Presiding Bishop Curry in his opening remarks to Convention placed much emphasis on the idea that we are all strangers seeking a homeland, which may not be reached in our lifetimes. Many of us at the Gala may not see the end of systemic racism and true reconciliation in our lifetimes. Yet, the Gala was full of friends, which was Incredibly demonstrated when PB Curry arrived to thunderous applause. Maybe a taste of homeland.

There were also strangers who were welcomed in. I sat down at an empty table for individual attendees and was quickly joined by a woman who grew up in Bethlehem, NH and her husband who grew up across the river in Vermont. They now live in San Francisco. We were then joined by two bishops and two members of the Racism and Reconciliation committee, whose hearing I had attended that day among others.

We ate and chatted as music was sung, awards were given, and elders of the group were remembered. Through all this people kept jumping up to greet friends. As the evening closed, I felt a bit as if a veil had lifted and I also got a little taste of homeland, of Beloved Community. It was terrific.

--Marti Hunt, NH Lay Alternate I