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.

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