Clara Ann Thompson (1869–1949) was born in Rossmoyne Ohio. She was the daughter of parents, both born in Virginia, who escaped slavery. Thompson was a poet and lecturer who drew her strength from her Christian faith. She was member of the Baptist church, the NAACP, and the YWCA, and devoted most of her time to her literary work, giving public readings of what came to be known by some as “race-related poetry.” She gave voice to the freedom struggle and its intersection with every day faith. I encourage you to learn more about her life here.
Here is a beautiful prayer she wrote in 1908 called, “Storm-Beaten.”
Weary, worn, and sorrow-laden
Jesus, I have come to Thee;
Shield me from the darts of Satan;
Set my fettered spirit free.
Hearken to my plea for guidance,
As I kneel before Thy throne;
Cheer me with Thy Holy Presence,
When I feel I’m all alone.
Struggling with the cares that press me,
Falling, when I fain would stand,
Thou alone, canst guide and keep me,
Take, oh take my trembling hand!
Pity Thou my many failings!
Strengthen Thou my falt’ring trust;
Keep me, ‘mid the wind’s loud wailing
Thou, the Pitiful and Just!
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About Fred
Fred came to serve greater Williamsburg and WCC as lead pastor in October of 2010 and is grateful to be a part of the family. He is a husband, father, certified trauma professional, S.T.A.R. (strategies for trauma awareness & resilience) practitioner, community organizer, TEDx alum, founder of 3e Restoration, Inc. and co-owner of Philoxenia Culture LLC. He received his B.S. in Ministry/Bible at Amridge University and his Master’s of Religious Education in Missional Leadership from Rochester University. Currently he is a candidate for a Doctorate of Ministry in Contextual Theology in at Northern Seminary in Chicago. Fred has also served as an adjunct professor for Rochester University and Regent University where taught courses in philosophy, ethics, leadership, pastoral care, intro to Christianity, and ethnography. He has also served as a guest lecturer on the subjects of racialized cultural systems, poverty, and missiology at various universities, such as William & Mary and Oklahoma Christian University. Fred has authored on book (Racialized Cultural Systems, Social Displacement and Christian Hospitality) and several curriculum offerings, including The FloorPlan: Living Toward Restoration & Resilience.
Fred enjoys hanging out with his family anytime, anywhere. He is deeply grateful for how God graciously works through the Church in all her various forms, despite our brokenness. He is passionate about seeing the last, least, and lonely of every neighborhood, city and nation experience God’s in-breaking kingdom, and come to know Jesus as King. Oh, and his favorite season is Advent and Christmas.
Fred is a founding member of the board of directors for Virginia Racial Healing Institute, a member of the leadership team for Williamsburg's local chapter of Coming to the Table, and a member of Greater Williamsburg Trauma-Informed Community Network's Racial Trauma Committee and Training Committee.
Long Way Here 
Thanks, Fred. These are powerful words from a historical lady!
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Thanks, Fred, for these powerful words from a mighty woman of faith.
Hope all is well with you.
Gailyn Van Rheenen http://www.missiology.com; http://www.missionalive.org (972) 754-9663
On Mon, Feb 15, 2021 at 9:34 AM Inside This Guys Head wrote:
> Fred posted: ” Clara Ann Thompson (1869–1949) was born in Rossmoyne Ohio. > She was the daughter of parents, both born in Virginia, who escaped > slavery. Thompson was a poet and lecturer who drew her strength from her > Christian faith. She was member of the Baptist church,” >
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