drum majors fund for justice

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 for justice 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.

Saint Barnabas’s is located opposite the Falmouth Village Green. Both programs will take place in the large tent on the lawn of the parish. 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 gate. A limited number of complimentary tickets for individuals unable to pay for admission are available by contacting office@stbfalmouth.org.