"Free Church of the Annunciation."
In 1857 we were the first church in New Orleans to abolish pew rent. It is a reminder of our predecessors' bold stand for the Gospel, abolishing pew rent so that Black and poor folk could join our worship and community life. May this be a constant reminder to us that we, too, are called to stand up for Jesus in the midst of our own generation and circumstances. This is the cost of discipleship. We must be willing to proclaim the Good News in all contexts and against all challenges at all expense. Certainly, there is much here today that needs to be confronted in service to building the Father's Kingdom. And certainly we must be willing to give of ourselves like never before. Let us never count the cost. Let us empty ourselves completely as Jesus did for us.
