Father Ellis Clifton's Life -

irst, let me say that I am honored to be interviewed for this Black History celebration. I commend you and The Telegram for excellent reporting and service to the various communities you serve. As I prepare to leave Inkster and embark on the next leg of my journey, please know that both you and The Telegram will be in my continuous prayers for effectiveness and success in bringing our communities together.

I am a product of Inkster - the only child of the Reverend Deacon Ellis Clifton, Sr. and Marie Clifton. I attended McNair Elementary School; Roosevelt (later Lafayette Allen) Jr. High; and graduated from Robichaud High in 1970. I have always been Episcopalian - having been baptized at the original St. Clement's on the corner of Harrison and Cherry. I was the first young person to enter the present location of the church while it was still being built. Even though I went to Central State University in 1970 to major in Special Education, I always knew I was going to eventually be an ordained presence in the church. I had been telling everyone that since I was in the third grade. I completed my education in 1974; moved to Columbus, Ohio; and taught school until 1988. The call to ordained ministry never left me and in 1988, I resigned my teaching position and entered Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry - the newest of all the Episcopal seminaries. I was ordained to the diaconate in 1992; and priested in 1993. Since then, I have served congregations in Pennsylvania; Ohio; and Massachusetts. At the invitation of Bishop Wendell Gibbs, I returned to the Diocese of Michigan in 2004 to serve the diocese responsible for my Christian formation and development. For three years, I served as Vicar of Church of the Resurrection in Ecorse before receiving a call to be Rector of St. Clement's in Inkster for the final 13 years of active ministry. It is with mixed emotions that I retired on October 1, 2020. It should be noted that the jury is still out on the joys of retirement.

Several persons have asked about noteworthy accomplishments and activities or events that were the most fulfilling or memorable in this ministry. In retirement, I find that specific events and accomplishments are not the most memorable as is the combination of the efforts and activity that helped to satisfy God inspired visions and purposes articulated through conversation with God. Key components of the ministry that have brought me the greatest joy and fulfillment have been the provision of thoughtful and meaningful worship experiences in the context of the Order of Worship in the Episcopal Church; AND the strengthening of community through bringing people together - especially church and community. Most places I have served have been open to a personal ministry in which I feel called to participate - social justice as mandated by the church. When the community remembers the "Clifton Years" at St. Clement's - I hope they will remember general classifications of ministries we offered to Inkster and the surrounding communities. For instance, through our association with the National Action Network and NAACP, we were heavily involved in the 2015 Justice for Floyd Dent protests. Our presence and words helped to remind us of the faith aspects of social justice and our collective call for the transformation of our communities. In particular, I remember the 2015 Good Friday Justice Rally followed by the Justice Revival held at St. Clement's. The result was more than justice for Mr. Dent and his family. It resulted in drastic reform in Inkster policing and a shift in paradigm from one that was very pharisaical and harsh to Inkster's citizenry to a healthy thought that policing is supposed to serve the community in ways that society has forgotten. This way of thinking emphasizes satisfying the spirit of the law over the letter of the law. It is important to remember that St. Clement's did not do this work for the city. We were collaborators - partners in ministry with other community stakeholders - to bring people together and collectively work together for the desired change.

One of the largest community events shared in our community was Episcopalooza 2018. Usually a diocesan/parish collaboration, St. Clement's invited the City of Inkster to participate in every aspect of the planning and execution of Episcopalooza, resulting in the largest event of this kind in Inkster and the Diocese of Michigan. When asked why we shared this event with the entire city instead of using it to promote the congregation - one person answered, "We did it because that is who we are. We are trying to reach as many people as possible." On a different note, the probability is that if you have consumed a free hot dog at any community event (such as Easter Egg Hunt, Halloween Party, Juneteenth Event, Police Movie Night Out, Police Night Out Celebration, etc.) over the past 5 years, you have enjoyed a hot dog provided by Fr. Clifton and St. Clement's Church. We tried to do our part in being where the people are and to bring people together.

The Clifton Years at St. Clement's should also be remembered by the church's efforts to broaden public awareness on social concerns such as human trafficking, the HIV/AIDS pandemic, mental health issues, and Alzheimer's disease. It was our belief that a Christian influence is effective in our attempts to meet and address the needs, concerns, and challenges that arise in relationship to these and other life conditions. This belief was promoted through our collaboration with Stacey J Production. We offered a series of well received Christian-themed stage plays that were thought provoking, faith strengthening, and entertaining. Again, we served in collaboration with others and we brought people together to consider appropriate responses to the needs of our community.

In spite of the difficulties brought on through the age and health of many of the congregation and the lack of resources brought on by the instability of this country's economy I believe the Clifton Years at St. Clement's will be remembered for efforts to strengthen community by bringing people together and to show the love of God by addressing community needs in a thoughtful, loving, and effective way following the example of Jesus. Specific events and activity may be remembered also. Through our association with a Human Trafficking Organization in Nevada, we were able to assist in the rescue 3 individuals and their return to family. Our efforts to dismantle the School to Prison Pipeline resulted in The Episcopal Church's most successful (and longest running) RISE Initiative - an initiative of the Office of Black Ministries of the Episcopal Church. Our collaborative ventures which allowed us to host or co-sponsor several Get Out To Vote events (including one featuring renowned actor Courtney Vance). The ministry was noted for a ministry of invitation which resulted in the feeding of many in need; provision of tax preparation services to the public; the hosting of at least four support and/or recovery groups including 4 AA meetings; the sharing of space for just about any organization that needed space to meeting and plan for activity in the community; and the sharing of that same space for groups like I-CAN, C.U.P., and the National Action Network - organizations that have had a profound and positive impact on the City of Inkster. Our service to Children and Youth including Meet Up and Eat Up, Cub Scout Summer Camps, African Drumming and Dancing, The Summer Youth Explosion, and NAN Track Camp, and other activities are memorable. We addressed infant mortality, health concerns of the community, and education related concerns of the community. We worked towards the establishment of justice through the sponsoring of Expungement Fairs, Town Hall Meetings, and Meet the Candidates gathering. We shared our space with the Muslim community and non-denominational Christian bodies. But it is important to remember that all these ministries and events were the result of the overall vision that will be a joint legacy from the past 13 years of shared ministry at St. Clement's. That is the vision that the church shares a collective call to bring people together under the wing of the church to be a strengthened community that is brought together and empowered to do the work of justice and love as God would have us. Don't get it twisted. The various duties assigned to clergy in the areas of liturgical leadership, pastoral care, a provider of Christian formation, and in church administration with great enthusiasm and diligence. I worked sacrificially but joyfully as the priest of St. Clement's Episcopal Church - but I understood my expanded role in areas outside of that which is normally expected. I was called to be an invitationalist and a catalyst. My role was to bring people together in the church and to remove many of the barriers that might prevent us from uniting to do the work we are called to do. I believe I was somewhat successful in doing that which i perceived my call to be. Even though I am having a difficult time in adjusting to retirement - I am not spending time second guessing what I might have done differently. I am rejoicing i the belief that if this ministry direction is to continue, I have left a decent foundation for others to build upon.

You have asked a question in an area of my life that most people are unwilling to explore - that of the death of my wife and the on-going grieving process I live with. I met Wanda Clifton during freshman orientation week at Central State University. It was September 1970. It was as close to love at first sight as I could ever imaging. We became a couple on Friday, February 5, 1971 after a Funkadelic concert at Wilberforce University and married on July 26, 1975. We remained together until her death on November 20, 2018. Your specific question asks how my family has helped me through the grieving process. To answer this question you have to understand that Wanda and I understood family in a "traditional" way but also in a wider way that is not limited defined by bloodlines, legal adoption, and marriage. For us, family, like a Biblical understanding of the definition of neighbor, could and did extend to anyone. The citizens of Inkster became members of our family. As I prepare to leave Inkster, I will always remember how my Inkster family surrounded me with their presence and love immediately after Wanda's death and still continue to do even now. From the thousands of dollars contributed to organizations and ministries in her name; to the noticeable presence of Inkster family present at her funeral; to your continued inquiries as to my well being and that of my children; to the continued prayers of many; to those who seek to be motivations and energizers when they see that I am down - I will never forget the display of love and support continuously offered to my children and me. People ask if I am all-right. The answer is no. But I am better - and my Inkster family has a lot to do with my improvement.

Plans for the future??? At this time, my plate is empty. Yes, I am in the process of slowly packing up and I do not know how much longer I will physically be a part of this community. It will not be too much longer. The two things I am looking forward to include:

1. My continued participation in the work of the Office of Black Ministries of which I serve on their Council of Advice. This keeps me connected with the church nationally and internationally and offers me the opportunity to utilize my God-given gifts and talents in the service of Christ's church; and

2. Through the Office of Black Ministries, there are opportunities to serve the wider church as a retired priest. As soon as the COVID Crisis is manageable, I will be serving in the Diocese of the Virgin Islands.

Of course, I have plans to catch up on some reading, to listen to CD's and records that I have purchased but not had the opportunity to play; and to be granddaddy to six grandchildren.

Finally, I have been asked for a motto or philosophy by which I live my life. While I have been inspired by many authors, speakers, and their words of wisdom and advice, the majority of my adult and ordained life has been guided by my understanding of the following:

James 2:17 - Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. - There is a whole sermon I can offer on this verse, but my sincere hope is that after I have completed my earthly journey, people will recognize my works as evidence of my faith.

Micah 6:8 - He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? I think we get it mixed up sometimes and spend our efforts in loving justice instead of doing justice. My sincere hope is that after I have completed my earthly journey, people will say he was a man who acted justly.

Finally, whenever new clergy is installed in a new ministry setting, his Letter of Institution contains the following language:

Having committed yourself to this work, do not forget the trust of those who have chosen you. Care alike for young and old, strong and weak, rich and poor. By your words, and in your life, proclaim the Gospel. Love and serve Christ's people. Nourish them, and strengthen them to glorify God in this life and in the life to come.

May the Lord, who has given you the will to do these things, give you the grace and power to perform them.

My sincere hope is that after I have completed my earthly journey, people will say he lived into these words to the best of his ability.