PeaceBang is still fanning her face after this media blitz, and is looking forward to bringing the Ministry of Clergy Beautification to a wider audience in days to come. We may even be making prime time, cupcakes! Won’t that be fun?
For now, though, we cannot just flop around on our laurels, can we? We have serious work to do. Like responding to this e-mail from our friend, the Revd. Timothy Holder, Founding Priest and Pastor of the HipHopEMass USA!
(I didn’t add that exclamation point, it’s on his signature) who wrote to say, and I quote: “PeaceBang me, Sista!”
Being the pastor of a small town New England Unitarian church doesn’t exactly qualify me to be a “SISTA,” but Tim, my little magnolia blossom, I shall happily comment on this photo:
Well, this is easy schmeezy!
Timotei is known professionally as “Poppa T,” and he has a very special urban ministry with the hip hop community. Therefore, he has a very special look.
Tim writes that his “Justice Now + I Have A Dream” jacket was a gift from the rappers of Boston.* Isn’t that nice? It’s quite a smashing garment, actually. It’s just not something you or I could wear.
Tim can wear it because it’s a gift from people with whom he is in actual ministerial relationship. It is not some uber-chic thing that he picked up during Fashion Week so he could look the part of a hip hop pastor. He is a hip-hop pastor. He actually invented the HipHopE Mass, so he has serious street cred.
How a gay man from Alabama got to be an ordained Episcopalian priest and go on to found a hugely popular hip hop worship tradition is another story for another blog, but PeaceBang is just here to say that Timmy, you look wonderful, you’re adorable, and big kiss of peace to you. Can’t wait to see you in April.
*Where they will celebrate HipHopEMass April 18 at St. Paul’s Cathedral. See you there!