drum majors fund for justice

The Vestry of Saint Barnabas's Episcopal Church has established The Drum Majors Fund for Justice: A Prophetic Preaching Series in tribute to the Rev. W. (Will) H. Mebane, Jr. who concludes his ministry at StB’s on September 1, 2025.

The fund takes its name from the words of The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who said he hoped to be remembered as a drum major for justice, peace, and righteousness. Saint Barnabas's Drum Majors Fund honors the seven years of courageous leadership by Rev. Will who has been a drum major since arriving to serve as rector of The Parish of Saint Barnabas on September 1, 2018.

The Drum Majors Fund is a permanent endowment and will be used to invite guest preachers to Saint Barnabas's in future years. It is intended, according to the resolution passed unanimously by the Vestry or governing body of Saint Barnabas’s, to host “preachers with a prophetic message of justice and peace” focusing on issues “concerning race, gender, sexual orientation, the environment and other causes.” The resolution states this is “in keeping with the Social Gospel of Jesus Christ as preached by Rev. Mebane during his tenure as rector of Saint Barnabas’s.” Rev. Mebane is often quoted as saying “I have yet to see a cause for justice in which I do not feel compelled to be involved as a person of faith.”

Individuals and organizations in Falmouth, across Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and around the nation where Rev. Mebane is a sought-after preacher and workshop leader, are encouraged to contribute to the Drum Majors Fund in tribute to and celebration of his lifelong commitment to advocating for justice. Rev. Mebane was nominated by the Cape Cod Times for inclusion in the 2020 USA Today Leaders of Change project, lifting up his tireless stand for racial equality.

Ticket sales from a 6:00 pm concert on the Great Lawn of Saint Barnabas’s on Saturday, June 28 featuring the Theodicy Jazz   Collective will help to endow the Drum Majors Fund. Food sales will begin at 4:30 pm before concert. Theodicy Jazz Collective is arguably the nation's foremost liturgically based jazz ensemble. The group fuses sophisticated jazz with the ancient rites of the church. Its name comes from the attempt to explain how God can exist alongside a world that contains evil and suffering. It is essentially an effort to reconcile the idea of a loving God with the reality of a world full of suffering, injustice, and pain. Theodicy comes from Greek words meaning "God" and "justice".

Theodicy Jazz Collective will also provide music for a special worship liturgy at 9:00 am on Sunday, June 29. The ensemble has led services at Washington National Cathedral, Canterbury Cathedral, and Oxford and Yale Universities. The Sunday, June 29 liturgy will be presented in recognition and appreciation of Rev. Mebane and his spouse, Ms. Ilona Paulette “Ronnie” Mebane. Rev. Mebane says, “My contributions would not have been possible without the wisdom, support, and undying love of my wife and partner for the past 52 years.” Everyone is welcome to attend the service as well as the concert the previous evening.

Three ways you can join in the celebration of Rev. Will and “Ronnie.”

CONTRIBUTE TO THE DRUM MAJORS FUND

Drum Major for Justice

$1,000 and up*

Drum Major for Peace

$500 - $999**

Drum Major for Righteousness

$250 - $499***

Allies for Justice

$1 - $249

*Your name listed on Drum Majors Fund webpage, free admission for two

**Name on the webpage, admission for one to special events

***Listing on webpage

PURCHASE TICKETS TO THE 6:00 PM, SATURDAY, JUNE 28 CONCERT FEATURING

THEODICY JAZZ COLLECTIVE

Drum Major for Justice

$150 and up*

Drum Major for Peace

$75 - $149**

Drum Major for Righteousness

$50 - $74***

*Front row private table for 6 ($900), family style seating on 2nd row, Meet and Greet reception

with Theodicy Jazz Collective, free meals served to your table, name listed in all publicity

**Reserved theater style seating, name listed on Drum Majors Fund website

***General Admission ticket, listing of name on website

Food available beginning at 4:30 before the start of the 6:00 pm concert.

ATTEND THE 9:00 AM SPECIAL WORSHIP SERVICE ON SUNDAY, JUNE 29 @ 9:00AM

Theodicy Jazz Collective  the nation's foremost liturgically based jazz ensemble will provide music for the liturgy celebrating Rev. Will and “Ronnie.” The ensemble has led services at Washington National Cathedral, Canterbury Cathedral, and Oxford and Yale Universities.

The preacher for this special worship service in honor of "Ronnie" and Rev. Will will be The Very Rev. Yejide Peters Pietersen, associate dean and director of formation for Berkeley Divinity School at Yale University. 

Dean Pietersen is a graduate of The University of Michigan (B.A.) and Yale University (M.Div.), She served as vicar of St. Chad’s with St. Mary’s and St. Alkmund’s in Shrewsbury, England. Her experience also includes nine years as rector of All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Briarcliff Manor, NY, associate rector of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Richmond, VA, and board leadership in organizations such as Forward Movement and Rural Migrant Ministries.

Dean Pietersen and Rev. Will were classmates at Berkeley Divinity School at Yale University. Additional information on her is available at: https://blackpresence.episcopalny.org/person/the-reverend-yejide-peters-pietersen/ 

Saint Barnabas’s is located opposite the Falmouth Village Green. Visit www.stbfalmouth.org or call (508) 548-3863 to donate to the Drum Majors Fund and purchase tickets for the concert with Theodicy Jazz Collective. Tickets will also be sold at the door. A limited number of tickets for individuals unable to afford admission are available by contacting office@stbfalmouth.org.