Water and Spirit: The Ecotheologies of Black Coastal Communities

Abstract:

Blacks have lived and thrived in coastal communities in Eastern North Carolina. This paper examines how the theologies of Blacks living in these communities were and continue to be shaped by the natural world. This paper examines the ecotheologies of Blacks living in Wilmington, North Carolina, and on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, specifically Roanoke Island.

This paper answers the questions: How has living on an island that was only accessible by ferry until the 1950s (and is still considered remote and rural) shaped the past and current expressions of spirituality, faith, culture, and an ethic of environmental stewardship? How has living near the water shaped the theologies of these communities? What are the historic expressions of spirituality in these communities, and how are they practiced today? Through ethnographic research that includes participant observation, interviews, and archival research, this paper examines how the natural world, specifically living on an island (in the case of the Outer Banks, and living near the ocean (Wilmington), has created a spirituality that has water as a central connection across the faith traditions practiced in these communities. Before the end of the Civil War, Roanoke Island was home to one of the first free communities of African Americans in the South. The blacks that are “native” to the community claim both black and indigenous heritage. The faith blacks practice on the island combines African and indigenous spiritualities/ practices with Christianity. Though Wilmington is 4 hours from Roanoke Island, the similarities of the eco-theologies of these communities are striking. In addition to having similarities in their spiritual practices, these communities were home to some of the earliest black boatbuilders, black watermen, and water women, and an all-black life-saving station.

Bio:

In 2013, Michelle became the first person of color to graduate with joint degrees from Yale School of the Environment (M.E.Sc.) and Yale Divinity School (M.Div.). She also received a Sacred Music and the Arts certificate from the Yale ISM. Dr. Lewis completed her doctoral work at Candler School of Theology at Emory University. Her research has spanned using gardens to create sacred spaces in communities, the effects of greenspace on hospital patient outcomes, and how the natural world shapes the theologies of black coastal communities. She is ordained in The United Methodist Church and serves Roanoke Island Presbyterian Church. She is a former United Nations advisor and has done conflict work in the Middle East. An award-winning filmmaker, she founded the Peace Garden Project, a 501c3, and the Outer Banks Environmental Film Festival. Michelle is a native of the Outer Banks of North Carolina.