On Saturday following the shooting of the Emanuel nine, my husband, John, and I traveled to Oxford. That first night with heavy hearts, we walked to Christ Church for Evensong. We felt God’s grace as the clergyman prayed specifically for Charleston’s Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, for comfort and courage for the victims’ families and friends, and for reconciliation across the world.
Kathy HillmanOn Sunday morning, we worshipped at New Road Baptist Church in a building erected in 1798. Pastor Kathryn Bracewell focused the service around God’s power over the sea, most appropriate since we had crossed an ocean. Children acted out Jesus calming the waves (Mark 4:35-41), and we sang the Navy hymn, “Eternal Father, Strong to Save.” Her sermon text was Job 28:1-11.
Evensong at Christ Church in Oxford. (Kathy Hillman Photo)She talked about the undeserved deaths in Charleston, recalling: “Sometimes God calms the storm. Sometimes God calms his children in the storm.” She commended the Emanuel AME Church for their amazing grace. She called for courage and closed with, “When the storm rages, God stands by us with the power to say, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stopped’” (Job 38:11).
Sunday afternoon, we participated in St. Matthew’s Church Fair, complete with street-chalk-painting, music and a biscuit—cookie—baking contest that engaged the neighborhood. During lunch, the church warden expressed her prayers for the Charleston congregation. That evening, we toured the Iffley church with Canon Michael Bourdeaux and his wife, Lorna. 
John and Kathy Hillman at a “bring and share” lunch at St. Matthews Church in Oxford, England. (Kathy Hillman Photo)Over a picturesque boathouse dinner, we considered the courage, kindness and grace needed to end religious and racial persecution and violence.
On Monday, we visited Emma Walsh, librarian at Regent’s Park, Oxford’s Baptist college. She discussed artifacts related to British Baptist missionary and cartographer George Grenfell (1840-1906). The conversation turned to Charleston and slavery. Grenfell served in the Congo, where his maps unintentionally aided Belgium in enslaving the native population. For his work, King Leopold II personally conferred on Grenfell the “Chevalier of the Order of Leopold.” However, the courageous missionary publicly declared he could not “wear the insignia with honor.”
Visiting with Emma Walsh, librarian at Regent’s Park, Oxford’s Baptist college. (Kathy Hillman Photo)On Tuesday, I represented the Baylor University Libraries at the council meeting of Keston Institute, an organization founded by Bourdeaux to be the “voice of the voiceless” persecuted believers. He opened with this prayer.
“You have called us to be one, to live in unity and harmony, and yet we are divided: race from race, faith from faith, rich from poor, old from young, neighbor from neighbor. … O Lord, by whose cross all enmity is brought to an end, break down the walls that separate us, tear down the fences of indifference and hatred; forgive us the sins that divide us, free us from pride and self-seeking, overcome our prejudices and fears, give us courage to open ourselves to others; by the power of your Spirit make us one.” (Opening worship of the sixth assembly of the World Council of Churches, Vancouver 1983)
At New Road Baptist Church in Oxford with Pastor Kathryn Bracewell. (Kathy Hillman Photo)Later, our train left for London. Almost immediately, the conductor announced a rail fatality and return to the station. As we discussed alternate transportation, a gentleman kindly offered to share his cab. God’s grace became more evident when we learned his father was the late Richard Coffin, general secretary for the Canadian Baptist Federation.
On Wednesday, John and I enjoyed our time with Keston Council Chair Xenia Dennen and her husband, Lyle, retired Anglican priest and former archdeacon. We toured London churches, including St. Mary Woolnoth, where John Newton (1725-1807) served 28 years. One wall displays the epitaph of the converted slave-ship master who wrote “Amazing Grace.” During dinner, Dennen suggested ending violence will take courageous action by ordinary people.
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Epitaph for John Newton, converted slave-ship master who wrote “Amazing Grace,” at St. Mary Woolnoth Church in London. (Kathy Hillman Photo)On Thursday, we sat enthralled by exquisite animals in The Lion King, who reinforced serious lessons of courage, forgiveness and love.
On Friday, John and I learned of violence in Tunisia, Kuwait and France.
On Saturday’s 10-hour return flight, I watched McFarland, USA, about Latino migrant workers; Black or White, about transcending differences; Cinderella, whose mother urges her to “have courage and be kind;” and Paddington Bear, who says, “In London, everyone is different, and that means anyone can fit in.” That’s grace. As we landed, I pondered those movies’ themes and God’s themes for my week.
Once home, I viewed President Obama’s eulogy for state senator-pastor Clementa Pinckney. He mentioned courage, faith and kindness. Then he added, “This whole week, I’ve been reflecting on this idea of grace.” So have I. So should we all. Now we must act.
Kathy Hillman is president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. She also is director of Baptist collections, library advancement and the Keston Center for Religion, Politics and Society at Baylor University.
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