There is a standard formula for exorcisms in the Gospels.  The demonic create in people violent actions both in the persons themselves and toward the community in which they live.  The community tends to stay at a distance beseeching Jesus to do something.  Jesus begins to talk to them, sometimes a single demonic presence and sometimes ‘legion’.  As he speaks they begin lose their power and eventually depart.  The only demons who have power are the ones who stay unnamed.  The only demons who hold sway are those who are not engaged.  As long as we fear the encounter they own us.  As soon as someone is brave enough to engage them, their power lessens.  Lent is about engaging the powers, the demonic, both personal and communal which work to destroy the life of God in us.

Dain Perry’s family had a demonic past.

The DeWolf family of Rhode Island of which he is descendant was one of the largest traders of slaves in our country.  The story of the trade was something about which the family did not talk.  Only in recent decades did family members begin to dig openly into the story. This included some members traveling to Ghana to see the origins of those who had been ‘transacted’ by their ancestors.

Constance Perry is married to Dain.  Constance is the descendant of slaves who came through the slave trading port of Charleston, South Carolina.  I wrote in a blog a couple of years ago about visiting the Toni Morrison bench on Sullivan’s Island set on the point in which slaves were transported and where many who did not survive the trip were tossed into the waters.  This couple must have some interesting family reunions.

Dain and Constance will visit All Souls on the morning of Sunday March 21.  They are in our diocese as part of a year long process named “Repairing the Breach”.  Our national church has called all parishes and dioceses to do historical research into any ways in which they have participated in both slavery and subsequent racial oppression.

The Perry’s are in our diocese telling their own story and assisting members of congregations in learning their own stories.  These stories will involve both the heroic and demonic parts of our communal family history.

A team of All Souls members including Carol Currie, Bev Gaines, Brenda Lilly, Hal Keiner, Lisa Ridge and Molly Walling will be attending a workshop offering tools for doing congregational histories and will present their learning during the course of the next year.  As well, the diocese will gather with Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts-Schori on Saturday, April 9, 2011 to offer congregational stories in a liturgy of reconciliation and repentance.  Shawna Gilmore, Molly, Lisa, Hal and I have been working with the overall “Repairing the Breach” program for the past year.

“Break down the walls that divide us” states a prayer of our Prayer Book.  This includes the walls that divide us from ourselves and our pasts as well as the walls that divide us from each other.  You will see details of the Perry’s March visit within this newsletter.  I encourage you to make their visit part of your and our Lenten
observance.

Peace,

Todd