In Philadelphia, Carol Moseley Braun to speak at St. Thomas' King Celebration

January 09, 2008 [Episcopal News Service] The Honorable Carol Moseley Braun, former United States Senator from Illinois and 2004 democratic candidate for president of the United States, will be the guest speaker for the annual Martin L. King Celebration on Sunday, January 13 at 10 a.m. at the historic African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas, Philadelphia.

An Episcopalian, Moseley Braun was appointed by President Bill Clinton to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand from 1999-2001. She was the first African American female to serve in the United States Senate.

The African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas is the oldest black Episcopal Church in the nation and the first black church in the city of Philadelphia. The parish was founded in 1792, with its first rector being the Rev. Absalom Jones, the first black Episcopal priest in the United States.

"We are honored this year to welcome to our historic city and parish a trailblazer in American History and a fellow Episcopalian," said the Rev. Fr. Martini Shaw, present rector of St. Thomas' Church. "It is our hope that she will be an inspiration and encouragement, especially to our young people."

The public is invited to this worship celebration.

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