African Burying Ground Vigil & Procession

Description

African Burying Ground Ancestral Vigil at New Hope Baptist Church Friday May 22nd - 7:00 p.m. 
As part of the reburial celebration in May, members of the community hold an all-night vigil at the New Hope Baptist Church, 263 Peverly Hill Rd, Portsmouth. The community keeps vigil with the remains in their custom-built wood caskets at the Church from 7:00 pm Friday, May 22nd until 7:00 am Saturday. Services of remembrance take place at 7:00 pm Friday, 12:00 midnight and 6:00 am Saturday morning. Tradition dictates that at no point during the night are the remains of the ancestors be left alone. To facilitate this tradition the hours between services are open for anyone desiring to pay homage to the ancestors in their own way. This could mean just sitting quietly, reciting a poem, saying a prayer, singing a song, playing the piano or other instrument, etc. Those wishing to do so should contact JerriAnne Boggis, 603 318-5120, (jaboggis@comcast.net), or Kelvin Edwards, 603 380-0193 (keledw@comcast.net). Each request should include name, phone number and/or email address, what tribute will be made and time desired for the tribute.