Readings:

[Common of a Prophetic Witness]
[For Prophetic Witness in Society]
[For Education]


  PRAYER (traditional language) 
O God, by thy Holy Spirit thou dost give gifts to thy people so that they might faithfully serve thy Church and the world: We give praise to thee for the gifts of perseverance, teaching and wisdom made manifest in thy servant, Artemisia Bowden, whom thou didst call far from home for the sake of educating the daughters and granddaughters of former slaves in Texas. We give thanks to thee for thy blessing and prospering of her life’s work, and pray that, following her example, we may be ever mindful of the call to serve where thou dost send us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with thee and the Spirit, liveth and reigneth, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

PRAYER (contemporary language) 
O God, by your Holy Spirit, you give gifts to your people so that they might faithfully serve your Church and the world: We give you praise for the gifts of perseverance, teaching and wisdom made manifest in your servant, Artemisia Bowden, whom you called far from home for the sake of educating the daughters and granddaughters of former slaves in Texas. We thank you for blessing and prospering her life’s work, and pray that, following her example, we may be ever mindful of the call to serve where you send us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
 

This commemoration appears in A Great Cloud of Witnesses.

Return to Lectionary Home Page 

Webmaster: Charles Wohlers 

Last updated: 20 June 2020
 

ARTEMISIA BOWDEN

EDUCATOR, 18 AUG. 1969 

 
Artemisia Bowden was a native of Georgia, born in 1879 to former slaves. In 1902 she was called by the Bishop of West Texas, James Johnson, to take over St. Philips School in San Antonio. Under her it prospered as a school for black women, eventually becoming a junior college, and is currently part of the San Antonio community college system. She was also long active in San Antonio and Texas community affairs. More information may be found in the Episcopal Archives and from the Texas State Historical Assoc.