Recently, at Virginia Seminary, a lecturer told the story of Sojourner Truth. She was a slave who was freed on July 4, 1827. After being freed, and with little more than the clothes on her back, she began walking through Long Island and Connecticut , speaking to people in the countryside about her life and her relationship with God.

One day she had stopped at a well by the roadside to have a drink of water. A woman approached her and, after talking for a while, asked Sojourner her name. Born Isabella Baumfree, she thought for a moment before she responded. She was aware that the slaves were given their first names by their masters at birth and then usually took the last name of the master. She decided in that moment to changer her name.

She decided her first name would be the word for what she was doing: she became "Sojourner." She decided that her last name would be taken from her new master: "Truth." Thus, she became "Sojourner Truth:" one who pursues, or serves, the truth.

I wonder, if we gave up the names we were given at our birth and decided to name ourselves by asking and answering those two questions: what would our name be?

What are you doing? Who are you serving? What is your name? We pray Christ Church is a community where the questions may be asked, and the answers may be found.

                                                                                                               Harrison McLeod+

                                                                                                               Rector