Uniting Together for One Worship
By Debra Wheeler, 8th Episcopal District
During the time of the shooting at Emanuel AME Church in downtown Charleston, South Carolina, Chaplain Drew Rollins of St. Alban’s Chapel at Louisiana State University and Dr. Herman Kelly, Jr., the pastor of Bethel AME Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, became more than just swimmers during this time of bereavement. They became more tightly involved with God’s holy word. Dr. Kelly did not know that Chaplain Rollins was in ministry until Celebrant Rollins had on his clergy attire.
They began to communicate more spiritually about the word of God. Chaplain Rollins’s wife, Jennie Rollins, visited Bethel without even being invited by Dr. Kelly. She arrived for church service and it was truly an enlightening moment of the heart for Dr. Kelly and the congregation. The profound message was that it didn’t matter the name of the organization where you served, only the word of God will come forth and shine for the beauty of God. This is exactly what happened. Dr. Kelly and the congregation welcomed her and the entire St. Alban’s Chapel family to Bethel.
Dr. Kelly and Chaplain Rollins talked about Dr. Kelly coming to St. Alban’s Chapel to deliver the message on the first Sunday after the Epiphany, the Baptism of our Lord with Holy Communion. This became a desire for Dr. Kelly and it came to pass on January 13, 2019, for the 10:30 a.m. service.
Bethel’s congregation, ministerial staff, the choir under the direction of Brother Larry Smith, along with First Lady Linda Kelly, joined Dr. Kelly and St. Alban’s Chapel for a joyous occasion. After the service, St. Alban’s Chapel prepared and served brunch. We all fellowshipped and had a blessed time.
Sister Debra Wheeler is a licentiate at Bethel AME Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
