Norfolk group boasts legacy of social justice
In 1926 a group of pastors representing churches named themselves Theophilus, a Greek word meaning ‘lover of God’
In January1926, a group of15 white pastors, serving Protestant churches in Norfolk, gathered to form a group that would meet each month at one of their churches. They named themselves “Theophilus,” a Greek word found in the Bible’s New Testament, meaning “lover of God.”
Beginning with a meal, each meeting featured a paper presented by one of the members, followed by discussion. In the 1930s, they were active in starting an annual integrated worship service with black congregations, rotating the host congregation each year between black and white. One year, instead of a sermon there was a panel of four clergy, two from each race, discussing the interracial situation in Norfolk.
This led to their inviting black pastors to join them, quite a bold step at that time in Virginia. The monthly meetings became informal gatherings that enabled the members to develop significant friendships. For white members, it resulted in deeper understanding of the impact of white discrimination on the lives of black citizens. These gatherings continued, virtually unknown to the public, for several decades.
During the1970s, with encouragement of black members, the club became active in ministering to black families whose homes were being destroyed by the housing authority in an urban renewal project. Club members — two by two, black and white together — visited those families and preached to their congregations about them. A committee on housing was formed, including real estate people, builders and city officials.
While their accomplishments were hardly dramatic, in later years the editor of the African American newspaper, Journal and Guide, confided to a white member that the club had done highly important spade work, laying the foundations which enabled far more progress in race relations than he thought possible at the time.
Another significant contribution of Theophilus was providing leadership in achieving a racially integrated ministerial association in Norfolk. Next came a highly sensitive challenge: the city’s exclusively white Preaching Mission. It was held each year in the city’s public arena (predecessor to the Scope Arena), and the question was whether the event could be integrated. It was a public facility and could only be done with the consent of the arena’s board of managers and the City Council. The legal obstacles, which were formidable, were finally overcome with a ruling by the state’s attorney general that if the churches rented the arena to do what churches do, they were free to do so. The event was held in a full arena with no sign of segregation. Mayor Fred Duckworth was there, welcoming the assembly and saying it was a great moment in the history of Norfolk.
Perhaps the most notable feature of Theophilus, and the reason for my writing, is that it still exists. Its name is now simply Theophilus, and as we would expect with the passing of 95 years, it has evolved. The members are no longer exclusively clergy, but a mixture of clergy and lay. Protestants have been joined by Catholics, giving the organization a more ecumenical character, and even a member of Wicca takes part.
Most significantly, during the last few decades its spirit of inclusiveness has made Theophilus an interreligious group, with Jews and an occasional Muslim contributing to its theological discussions. Its monthly meetings are now hosted by Temple Israel on Granby Street, with attendance remaining steady at12 to15. The meeting agenda continues to be a meal, the presenting of a paper and a lively discussion.
I think Theophilus has some encouraging lessons for us. It is a grassroots activity with a low profile. It wasn’t organized for the express purpose of achieving racial justice or contributing to inter-religious understanding, but it has in fact contributed to both in a meaningful way. In doing their own thing, presenting papers and discussing them, and because of who they are, people of conscience and religious conviction, their activity has contributed to the common good of our city, the commonwealth of Virginia and the nation.
It may be unknown, but Theophilus continues with its spade work, making a genuine contribution to what this nation aspires to be.
Paul Jersild of Norfolk is a member of Theophilus and professor emeritus at the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, Columbia, SC.