Episcopal Press and News
NEW JERSEY: Episcopal HipHopEMass founder called to Atlantic City
Episcopal News Service. February 20, 2007 [022007-05]
The Diocese of New Jersey has announced that the Rev. Timothy Holder has been elected the next rector of historic Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Atlantic City.
He will begin on March 1. Holder is the founding priest and pastor of HipHopEMass, a new and growing ministry among hip hop generations across the United States. He has been most recently rector of Trinity Episcopal Church of Morrisania in the Bronx, New York.
"HipHopEMass was sparked by the young people of the community and Tupac Shakur's movie 'Resurrection,' in which the late rapper's question – 'Who will speak for the thugs?' – resonated and made me begin to search my soul for ways 'to reach the children and young people of our streets," commented Holder in an Episcopal News Service article in September 2006. "I think Hip Hop is hope; Hip Hop is brilliant."
The roots of Hip Hop are in social justice, social conscience and we're looking to not only reestablish but make those ties stronger," Holder explained. "The love of God is what we are preaching. It's a simple message but it's been our one message from the very beginning."
HipHopEMass have been keynote musicians and led worship at numerous Episcopal events around the country, from Vermont to Texas. In addition to CDs and "The Hip Hop Prayer Book and Holy Bible Stories", they've been featured in media from ABC and CNN to Newsweek and the Los Angeles Times.
HipHopEMass was celebrated at the Bishop's Ball at Trinity Cathedral in the Diocese of New Jersey in January 2006 and again at the Cathedral for "HipHopChristmas."
According to a news release from the Diocese of New Jersey, Holder has been honored twice, in 2004 and 2005, by the World Council of Churches with the Peacemaker Award. In addition, he received the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Leadership Award from the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 2005 and the First Decade Award by the Harvard University Divinity School, also in 2005.
The Church of the Ascension was founded in 1879. In 1886 the parish moved to its current location, completing a striking Spanish-Renaissance church building in 1894. With its Anglo-Catholic liturgy and tradition, including a boys choir and an impressive organ, the congregation grew quickly. During the 1970s, with the introduction of casino gambling and the change in demographics, the parish faced a new set of challenges. But a series of devoted rectors and steadfast lay leaders have kept the parish a center of Anglo-Catholic worship, the diocesan release said. The parish is visible in the community, particularly through its Project Lazarus ministry for people living with HIV/AIDs and its cultural series, with weekly organ recitals and special choral concerts.
"Since our beginning on the streets of the South Bronx in 2004," said Holder – or "Poppa T", as he is named by rappers – "we have prayed for a permanent, welcoming home where we could ground our ministry by raising up new leadership for a new day. God bless the courage and faith of Ascension in Atlantic City, where we will plant and grow, as a model for the greater church but, more important, as a part of the Atlantic City community, our parish home."
The Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey is the second oldest diocese in the Episcopal Church and one of the largest, with 161 churches from Elizabeth to Cape May Point. Nearly 100 languages are spoken within its boundaries.
To view a HipHopEMass on the web, see: Pentecost 06 Celebration at historic St Paul's Chapel in New York City.