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2020 ABSALOM JONES CONTEST
Sponsored by the Union of Black Episcopalians (UBE)
Bishop Nathan Baxter Chapter
Youth Awards Ceremony – Saturday, February 29, 2020
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Cathedral
221 N Front St.
Harrisburg, PA 17101
To download the flyer, click here.
To download the 2020 Contest Form, click here.
Youth Awards Ceremony: Absalom Jones: Striving for Justice in an Unjust World
“I aim to be a civic man for the common good.”
Absalom Jones (1746 – 1818) is one of Pennsylvania’s earliest human and civil rights activists. His lifelong struggle for freedom and justice has much to offer us today. As you research the life of Absalom Jones, consider some of the social justice issues that Absalom Jones faced to rise from a former slave to become an inspirational community leader, the first priest of African descent in the Episcopal Church and the founder of the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas in Philadelphia.
Before you begin to take the time to examine some of the social justice issues that affected Absalom Jones and other people of African descent during his lifetime. How did he, along with friends like Richard Allen, respond to some of these indignities in ways that benefitted his Philadelphia community?
Which social justice issue is important to you? Which organization and/or person in your community is addressing this issue? What are some active ways you can support your cause and gain the support of others to the benefit of your community?
Using the examples of Absalom Jones’s fight for justice and the research on your chosen issue, develop an essay, letter, poem, song, video, podcast, vlog or original piece of artwork that will serve as motivation to others who are striving for justice.
This contest is for students in grades 5th – 8th and 9th – 12th. The word limit is 100-200 words. For those who choose to respond with a creative piece such as a poem, song, video or artwork, please include a paragraph that describes how your research about Absalom Jones’s struggle for justice informed your decisions for your creative piece. Submissions will be judged on content, clarity, critical thinking, creativity and quality of production.
Monetary prizes will be awarded, and winners are invited to present their submissions in person as a part of our Absalom Jones Day celebration on Saturday, February 29, 2020. Winners will be notified in early February by email and/or phone.
Essays, letters, poems, songs, videos, podcasts or vlogs may be submitted online or handwritten using the attached form. If you plan to submit original artwork, please attach a picture of the artwork. Be sure to include the information listed below with your entry. All submissions are due to Ms. Karen Love, klove7511@gmail.com, by February 8, 2020.
