The Hermenia T. Gardner Bi-Semester Worship Series
Affirmations: An African-American Worship Service
Purpose
Affirmations: An African-American Worship Series is designed for and by students to provide an on-campus Christian worship experience which affirms African-American religious traditions. The uniqueness of the African-American religious experience lends itself to the renewal of our deep spiritual feelings and to the uplifting of ourselves and our community. The entire college community is warmly invited to come share with us in the worship service and the reception.
The History of The Hermenia T. Gardner Bi-Semester Worship Series at Amherst College
In October of 1993, Charlton Copeland ‘96 and Tracie Yorke ‘96 requested the assistance of the Affirmative Action Officer in developing and supporting a worship service with traditional aspects of the African-American style of worship. Several months later, a group of interested students gathered to discuss the idea, develop a concept statement, and plan the worship experience. The first service was held on Sunday, October 2, 1994. In the spring of 2003, the worship series was renamed to honor the dedication and guidance of Mrs. Hermenia T. Gardner, original advisor of Bi-Semester and College Affirmative Action Officer Emerita.
Contacts
- Rev. Dr. Leon T. Burrows
- Eloise Green ’10E
- Dawn Murry
- Rev. Dr. Paul V. Sorrentino
- Julie R. Wright ’10