Racial Reconciliation

Commemoration and Action - George Floyd Memorial Service 5/25

in

May 25 marks the one-year anniversary of the murder of George Floyd, which ignited a worldwide racial reckoning. You are invited to join Episcopalians in an prayer, reflection, and action.

Virtual service of commemoration on Tuesday, May 25, at 8 p.m. ET:

A service led by six Episcopal bishops and featuring a reflection by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry will air on the Facebook pages of several dioceses including:

The pre-recorded service includes a prayer of lament from George Floyd Square in Minneapolis, a candlelit remembrance from Ferguson, Missouri and prayers in places of protests across the U.S. Learn more here.

Engagement Options:

In addition to joining the service online, you are invited to engage in social media and advocacy:

Racial healing engagement on social media: All are invited to record a ten-second video of themselves lighting a candle and to post that video to personal social media during or after the May 25 service. Participants are asked to describe one thing in their post that they commit to do toward racial healing and justice in memory of Floyd and all victims of racial injustice. Those posting should also consider sharing a link to the commemoration service from one of the participating dioceses’ Facebook pages.

Take action: The Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations offers the following opportunities to learn about and take direct action on legislative efforts for police reform.

  • Urge Congress to Enact Police Reform Many police reforms need to take place at the local level, but members of Congress have introduced legislation that would set national standards and would attempt to bring about lasting change to the ways that police departments operate. Click the link above to take action.

  • Nine Actions on Police Reform Click the link to take action today to learn about and address police violence in your community.

9b6cd679-54ac-cf1a-b60e-a4dcf4edb56e.png

Stay Connected:

If you would like to continue to receive invitations to events like the George Floyd Memorial, register for The Episcopal Church Racial Reconciliation newsletter here.

104099811_10216408141813002_4301942502756197402_n.jpg
e7d5e8a1-bf19-406a-b69f-aa8148ab418a.jpg

Content for this blog post was pulled from an email sent by The Episcopal Church Department of Reconciliation Justice & Creation Care on May 25, 2021.

Gathering on Sacred Ground: Recording and Resources

in

Warm greetings to all who registered for Gathering on Sacred Ground, with Presiding Bishop Curry! 

We are so grateful to all the participants and facilitators who shared their Sacred Ground stories, grateful for the poetry and the song, and grateful to the Presiding Bishop for blessing us and calling us forward.  We are also deeply moved by how many of you registered: 4121! – and that approximately 3200 of you attended or watched the simultaneous livestream on YouTube (many more since). We are indeed living members of the Jesus Movement! 

You can find and share the event recording on the main page of The Episcopal Church website as well as the main Sacred Ground page.  Stay tuned for a closed captioned version of the recording and for an FAQ that responds to your most popular questions posed during the gathering. In addition, check out this wonderful story about the gathering in the Episcopal News Service.  

The program leaflet is here, including the Litany of Repentance and prayers for racial justice, with sources listed (find more on the Religious Resources page of the Sacred Ground webpages). The Sacred Ground Is… poem created by the Trinity Church Santa Barbara circle is here. 

 

Weblinks related to the gathering are listed below: 

  • Support The Episcopal Church’s work for racial reconciliation, healing and justice - The Episcopal Church is very pleased to offer this curriculum at no charge… and, if you are inspired and touched by the work and are in a position to make a gift to help it grow, here is the link.

  • Episcopal Asset Map - This map shows the hundreds of locations across the Church that have registered a Sacred Ground circle

  • Becoming Beloved Community Where You Are Resource - The best place to start when discerning “What comes next?” after Sacred Ground and where God is calling you in the lifelong journey toward truth, healing and justice

  • Becoming Beloved Community – The Episcopal Church’s vision for racial healing, reconciliation and justice, plus resources, curricula and more

  • Racial Justice Audit and upcoming webinars - The Racial Justice Audit surveyed Episcopal Church leaders about their experiences of racism, racial identity, and power in the life of our church. – read the audit and attend the upcoming webinars to learn more

  • From Many, One - Conversations Across Difference is a campaign inviting Episcopalians and our neighbors to engage in one-to-one listening and sharing across the many differences that separate us.

  • Register for FREE tickets to the May 22 Concert for the Human Family – This inspiring virtual event will include the postlude song (“Welcome to the Show” by Kory Caudill and Wordsmith), “From Many, One” conversations across difference, and a post-concert conversation with Presiding Bishop Curry and guests

  • Social Justice and Advocacy - Episcopal resources and events on community organizing and working for justice that take us “from the pews to the public square”.

  • Summary of Anti-racism and Dismantling Racism Trainings - select list of trainings by groups familiar with the Episcopal Church


Finally, a few statistics that may be of interest: of the 4121 registrants,

  • 720 were facilitators  

  • 3013 were participants 

  • 432 have been both participant and facilitator 

  • 235 were from other denominations/faiths (highest #’s: Lutheran, Catholic, Presbyterian) 

In closing, we loved bearing witness to the growing community building around Sacred Ground.  May there continue to be ripples of spirit that bring us closer to God’s and our dream of beloved community.  After the event Katrina was out for a walk and saw someone wearing a T-shirt that said “Teamwork for Dream work.”   

May it be so! 

Webinar Recording:

Watch the webinar recording on the Episcopal Church website here. We will also let you know when a more accessible version with closed captions is available.

Thanks again,

Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers
Canon to the Presiding Bishop for Evangelism, Reconciliation and Creation Care

Katrina Browne
Sacred Ground Curriculum Developer
Consultant, Becoming Beloved Community 

Phoebe Chatfield
Associate for Creation Care and Justice
Presiding Bishop's Office

For more information on how to engage with issues of racial justice and reconciliation, check out The Episcopal Church Becoming Beloved Community webpage.

From email sent from sacredground@episcopalchurch.org on May 4, 2021.

Absalom Jones 2021

in

The Feast of Absalom Jones

In the video below, Bishop Doug Sparks remembers the life, witness, and ministry of Absalom Jones, the first Black priest in The Episcopal Church. You can read more about Absalom Jones in the 2018 edition of Lesser Feasts and Fasts.

Service of Morning Prayer to Commemorate the Feast of Absalom Jones

Saturday, February 13, 2021
11/10 a.m. (EST/CST)

Christ Church Cathedral (Indianapolis) will host the annual Service of Morning Prayer to commemorate the Feast of Absalom Jones.  The service will be broadcast on the YouTube-Live Channel  ,the Cathedral Facebook page and website. Bishop Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows will preside, and Bishop Deon Johnson of the Diocese of Missouri will preach.

The Episcopal Church’s annual Feast of Absalom Jones commemorates a man who was born into slavery in 1746 in Delaware and worked for eight years to buy his wife’s freedom so that their children would be free. His master refused to allow him to purchase his own freedom, but in 1784 granted him a manumission. A gifted lay preacher, Jones led the founding of the Free African Society, a mutual aid benevolent organization in Philadelphia that became the first black Episcopal church in the United States. He was also a lay leader at a white-led church in Philadelphia until the church’s leaders forced segregation during worship. He was ordained an Episcopal priest in 1804.

8A03F3B7-4696-4FBF-A806-DEB2B97463DA.jpeg

Podcast - Prophetic Voices: Preaching and Teaching Beloved Community

in
uploads_2F1602001328988-2qmgyxz1ll3-7f0b36761d78520814543087f4d1fcbe_2FFinal+Cover+Art+Large.png

New for Advent 2020 is a five-session podcast series, Prophetic Voices: Preaching and Teaching Beloved Community, hosted by the Rev. Isaiah “Shaneequa” Brokenleg, Episcopal Church staff officer for Racial Reconciliation. Prophetic Voices explores where that dialogue intersects with faith. Join Brokenleg and invited guests as they share prophetic voices and explore the readings for each week of Advent and Christmas Day through the lens of social justice. Learn more about this podcast here.

Becoming Beloved Community NOW

in
becoming_beloved_community_now.png

Becoming Beloved Community NOW
July 28-30, 2020

Racial justice and healing leaders and practitioners across The Episcopal Church will gather to build community, craft strategy, and equip each other for action during a series of Becoming Beloved Community NOW online gatherings at 4-6 p.m. EDT on July 28-30. 

Convened by the Presiding Officers’ Advisory Group on Beloved Community Implementation, the three gatherings will focus on three urgent themes: Truth (Tuesday, July 28), Justice (Wednesday, July 29) and Healing (Thursday, July 30). Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and President of the House of Deputies Gay Clark Jennings will offer prayer and reflections throughout the sessions.

To register for these individual sessions, please select the session(s) you would like to attend and complete the registration forms.

Becoming Beloved Community Now: TRUTH
Telling the truth about participation in white supremacy and racial oppression. 
July 28, 2020
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm EDT

Becoming Beloved Community Now: JUSTICE
Changing racist systems, especially “criminal” justice and public health/COVID response.
July 29, 2020
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm EDT

Becoming Beloved Community Now: HEALING
Breaking free of white supremacy via training and formation.
July 30, 2020
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm EDT

Bishop Doug's Statement Regarding Resumption of Federal Executions

in
Square for Instagram.jpg

Bishop Doug Sparks issued a statement today regarding the resumption of federal executions at the Federal Correctional Institution in Terre Haute. Portions of the statement are included in an article from The Episcopal News Service titled “Episcopal leaders call death penalty ‘abhorrent to God’ as Trump administration resumes federal executions."

The complete statement is below.

“I am saddened and troubled by the news that after a thirteen-year moratorium, our Federal Government, under this administration, has decided to resume state-sponsored and sanctioned execution at the Federal Correctional Institution in Terre Haute, Indiana. The murder of a human person by another human person is abhorrent and deeply painful.  Like you, I grieve the murder of any person and I reach out in pastoral care for those who mourn their deaths.  However, it is important to underscore that the United States of America is the only developed nation that continues to believe that state sponsored execution is a deterrent to others who commit violent crimes including murder.  At the request of the Attorney General, the Supreme Court, in a 5 to 4 decision, supported the notion that the state can humanely execute persons on death row.  For more than 60 years, the Episcopal Church has affirmed it opposition to the death penalty, that it is repugnant and an affront to God which diminishes all of us.  It is also true that the death penalty is disproportionately applied to the poor, to black, indigenous and other persons of color.  The life and teachings of Jesus remind us again and again that every person is made in God’s image and likeness and that loving God and our neighbor requires us to challenge violence of every kind and to pursue peace and reconciliation.  I am committed to seeking ways to end this kind of violence and to work for peace, justice and reconciliation.”

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Douglas E. Sparks
VIII Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Indiana

We Acknowledge...We Lament...We Repent of the Sin of Racism!

in ,

Reflections on the Province V Big Provincial Gathering

in , , ,

Reflections from EDNIN participants

“I want to say a word of thanks to those that participated in the Big Provincial Gathering, the first of its kind in the Episcopal Church, that took place in Kalamazoo, MI. I want to say a word of thanks to all those in our diocese from several faith communities who participated, who were presenters, and a special word of thanks to Christopher Hillak, to Fr. Matthew Cowden, and to Sean Meade who worked as part of the Provincial team to make the event as wonderful as it was.”
— The Right Reverend Dr. Douglas E. Sparks, VIII Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana
“Province V’s Big Provincial Gathering far exceeded my expectations. Our keynote speaker, The Rev. Lorenzo Lebrija, captivated those gathered with his joyful, enthusiastic, and insightful presentation on leadership and innovation. Workshops of all descriptions highlighted vital ministries and best practices all around our province, fostered stimulating conversation, and encouraged action in our own communities. Worship was a wonderful mix of old and new, formal and informal, with powerful singing and preaching. I look forward to (hosting?) the next one!”
— The Very Rev. Brian G. Grantz, Dean and Rector, The Cathedral of Saint James (South Bend)
“There is such high value in simply being together. The BPG allowed for that and much more. The educational topics ranged from farm-food ministries to incorporating newcomers to racism to being the church in the 21st century. if you were not able to attend I highly recommend going to the Province V Facebook page and watching the keynote address, even a portion of it. Lorenzo Lebrija was inspiring and entertaining as he encouraged us to try new and unique ways to be the church in the world. Try something new and don’t be afraid to fail. Make a new friend within and beyond to the church. After all, that’s what we did at the BPG. ”
— The Rev. Matthew Cowden, Rector, Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church (South Bend)
“My biggest take away from the gathering was the hunger I experienced for something new that echoed throughout the conversations and workshops I attended. Everywhere I went I encountered people willing to step out of their comfort zones to try new ideas and approaches to proclaiming the gospel message. Some ideas were simple, others grand but each had its root in a desire to spread knowledge of Gods love to others. The willingness to try something new was no more inspiringly presented than in the message from Father Lorenzo. The openness to trying new things is a wonderful exercise of our faith in action. Part of trying is failing but if at the core of what we are doing is a desire to share God’s love with others, then I fail to see the failure in trying. ”
— Jordan Trendelman, St. Alban's Episcopal Church (Fort Wayne)
“I enjoyed the Big Provincial Gathering. It was good to meet and talk with people from other dioceses in an informal setting. The various presentations were well done and interesting. I was particularly impressed with Marcia Ledford’s session on the role of progressive voices in the public square. That information will be very useful to us in the future. Our own talk on racial reconciliation in Marion was well attended with lots of good questions.

The most interesting thing happened in the hotel lobby on Friday. I was wearing my clericals and carrying signs for the Lights for Liberty event that evening. A man approached me with questions, and it became apparent that he thought I was an anime character in costume from their convention which was also in the hotel. That was unique.”
— The Rev. Cn. Dr. James Warnock, Rector, Gethsemane Episcopal Church (Marion)
“Saturday morning mass was a great coming together of members of a newly formed community united by song, scripture, and Eucharist. I felt made new and ready to “go forth.” As a presenter of part of a workshop dealing with the difficult issue of racism, I was heartened to work with a diverse, thoughtful, and committed group. Besides a couple of beautiful summer days in Kalamazoo, who could ask for more?”
— Bill Munn, Gethsemane Episcopal Church (Marion)
“It was a joy and privilege for me to participate in the Big Provincial Gathering of the Province V of the Episcopal Church and be repeatedly immersed in the blessings, which were sparkling from the simple smile of a friend, little chat I had with some new and old friends I met, warm welcome from hosts and organizers, meals, exhibitors’ booths I visited, keynote speech, workshops, music, and Eucharist celebration.

Dismantling Racism workshops will be my focus in the following lines as I share my takeaway. I was vividly struck by the increasing enthusiasm and dedication that shine through various and diverse activities churches are carrying on in their initiatives to respond to the harm and hurt engendered by racism.

“Finding Common Ground Through Racial Reconciliation” (workshop #12) was presented as part of an initiative of Northern Michigan Diocese, focusing on, among other things, building positive relationships with indigenous communities. After one of the presenters, who happened to be Native American, shared his healing story, a strong voice rose up in the room, asking about how much White Americans are participating in the healing journey of the above mentioned initiative. The voice added that the essence of dismantling racism, or of racial reconciliation, or whichever name the initiative takes should be that of mutual liberation instead of making one feel good, referencing Lila Watson, an Australian Aboriginal woman. That voice received standing applause from the audience.

Mutual liberation, what a profound meaning! How much substance of mutual liberation do we intentionally put in our works towards opposing racial discrimination, marginalization, and social injustices? As one once said, “Liberation is not something to be given, but rather it is a movement.” Is it why every Diocese in our Province V in particular should consider embracing Becoming Beloved Community Initiative as a way to more engage the church with surrounding communities and best tackle the tough challenges? Indeed, it is in Becoming Beloved Community Conversations that people start to humanize each other, identify the problem, and establish trust. ”
— Cn. Adrian Niyongabo, Missioner for Community Engagement, Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana

Presenters from the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana

Diocese of Northern Indiana

Workshop Titles:
Evangelism Through Communications
Do-able Social Media Evangelism Projects to Share your Faith Stories and Build Community

Presenter:
Cn. Christopher A. Hillak, Missioner for Digital Communications

Gethsemane Episcopal Church (Marion)

Workshop Title:
Racial Reconciliation in a Small Indiana Town

Presenters:
Rev. Cn. Dr. James Warnock, Rector
Kresha Warnock
Bill Munn
Rev. Mindy Hancock
Evan Doyle

Holy Family Episcopal Church (Angola)

Workshop Title:
Enriching Worship with Music Ensembles

Presenter:
Sean Meade

St. Alban’s Episcopal Church (Fort Wayne)

Workshop Title:
OIW: How Becoming a More Open, Inviting, and Welcoming Faith Community Can Change the Way We Evaluate Success Within Membership Development

Presenters:
Jordan Trendelman
Christina Connelly

St. David of Wales Episcopal Church (Elkhart)

Workshop Title:
The Parable of the Garden: How Stewardship of Creation is an Act of Evangelism

Presenter:
Rev. Joshua D. Nelson, Priest-in-Charge

St. Margaret’s House (South Bend)

Workshop Title:
Creating Community, Changing Lives: How St. Margaret’s House Created a Ministry of Hospitality for Women and Children in Poverty

Presenters:
Kathy Schneider, Executive Director
Mary Fran Brandenberger, Associate Executive Director
Tanika Harris, Director of Guest Services

Participants from EDNIN that did not facilitate presentations

Cathedral of Saint James (South Bend) - The Very Rev. Brian Grantz, Tamisyn Grantz, Rev. Tina Velthuizen, Dana Sparks

Holy Trinity (South Bend) - The Rev. Cn. Dr. Terri Bays

Saint Michael and All Angels (South Bend) - Rev. Matthew Cowden, Michael Griffith

Gethsemane Episcopal Church Awarded United Thank Offering Grant

in

The United Thank Offering of The Episcopal Church announced on June 18 that they awarded 33 grants for a total of $1,507,640.55 for the mission and ministry of The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion. One of these grants was given was given to the Gethsemane Episcopal Church (Marion) for the amount of $35,314.81.

The Gethsemane Center for Reconciliation works to further the Church's priority of racial reconciliation and justice. Building on Gethsemane's decade-plus of reconciliation work and established community relationships, the staffing, technological improvements, and marketing development funded will allow them to develop new leaders and an infrastructure for reconciliation efforts.

The goal of the Center is to:

  1. Cross boundaries by discussing and acting on issues of racial inequity, gender and sexual identity bias, poverty, etc. in the midst of rural America;

  2. Listen deeply to the wounds and mistrust that are caused by these divisions;

  3. Bridge these divides using actions, and words, and

  4. Learn to live like Jesus as we develop leaders and other community members to live and thrive in a community based on compassion, respect for diversity, and true equity.

Read the release from UTO here.

Province V Becoming Beloved Community Retreat

in

This past week, Bishop Doug, Canon Adrien, and Canon Terri participated in a Becoming Beloved Community retreat hosted by the Diocese of Ohio and Province V. Watch to video to hear what they gained from the experience.

Interfaith Moment of Action

in ,
IMG_0070.JPG

Dear Sisters, Brothers, Siblings,

Grace and peace be with you in Jesus, our Crucified and Risen Saviour!

I had the opportunity to participate in an “Interfaith Moment of Action” this morning, 21 March, at the Indiana Statehouse along with ten other faith and civic leaders encouraging our legislators to act responsibly and effectively in address the pending Hate Crime Legislation.

Regrettably, Indiana is one of five states that has failed to pass legislation that protect, by name, the most vulnerable of our citizens…who have been injured and killed in Indiana because of their race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation and gender identity. This is especially important, given the killing of 50 Muslim persons in Christchurch…in Aotearoa New Zealand last Friday.

I was humbled to be a witness with so many others, including Bishop Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows of the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis.  I encourage you to call your representatives and senators to take action on this important legislation for our state.

Blessings during the Lenten days…

Doug

Becoming Beloved Community Initiative Facilitators Workshop ... coming soon!

in
belovedcommunity red.png

The Becoming Beloved Community Initiative Facilitators workshop, thanks to EDNIN and the ROANRIDGE TRUST, is around the corner as the weekend of March 22-23, 2019 approaches.  Preparations are going on smoothly, and we are looking forward to having a very enjoyable and fruitful time.

Even before attending the coming workshop, we may have some information on racial reconciliation.  Furthermore, we have knowledge of what is the racial situation in our community and how our life and that of other community members is being impacted by the latter. Based on that knowledge, could we think of simple, little actions or initiatives of racial reconciliation that we would hope to see flourishing in our local faith community and neighborhood one day soon? A person once said that “life is good when one is happy, but it is even better when others are happy thanks to us.” To make one’s life better may ask us for one or two things. Let’s look at waving at a neighbor. What about saying hi to a person we cross on a sidewalk? Simple actions such as those are able to impact one’s heart and change one’s life for better.  

Isn’t it heartwarming to be surrounded by people who think about you and show it to you in this or that way? With love and compassion, humans are capable of so many simple actions, which can profoundly impact others’ hearts and therefore transform their view of the community. It is then we will leave those are around us at home, park, church, workplace… with memorable marks. Let us get started in preparing the ground as we look forward to participating in the Becoming Beloved Community Facilitators workshop and waiting on our Lord Jesus Christ in our little actions.

“Be joyful, and keep your faith and your creed. Do the little things that you have seen me do and heard about” said Saint David of Wales. When comes one of those days when we feel burdened and weary in our Becoming Beloved Community Initiative work, let us remember and revisit Saint David of Wales’ wise words. In fact, Mother Teresa reminds us that we cannot do great things, but we can do things with great love.

Bishop Doug signs opinion piece in Indianapolis Star pushing for a state hate crime law

in ,
3E5A9275+8x10+200.jpg

On Feb. 16, a Muslim man, by the name of Mustafo Ayoubi, was shot and killed in Indianapolis after being the victim of road rage and the recipient of anti-Muslim slurs.  The sister of Ayoubi made it known that she desired for a hate crime investigation to take place. But the state of Indiana is one of five states that does not have a hate crime law. As Indiana faith leaders we are saddened by this event and hold Ayoubi’s family in our prayers. We also add our collective voice to call for hate crime legislation to be enacted.

Our faith traditions share the belief that all persons are created in the image of God and are created with inherent dignity and worth. This understanding makes it all the more imperative that hate crimes legislation be enacted that is thorough, just, and reflective of the diverse humanity that makes up our communities. 

We strongly urge our elected officials to pass legislation that will define what constitutes a bias-motivated crime and include specific classes that are protected by the law. Crafting legislation that offers specific language to address crimes related to race, gender, and sexual orientation is crucial to all feeling safe and at peace. We especially urge our elected officials to ensure that the statute they pass protects people on the basis of gender identity, since transgender people in our communities are among the most vulnerable of God’s beloved children. All Hoosiers deserve the safety and protection of a hate crime law that is specific and clear.

We are grateful for our elected officials and hold them in prayer as they craft this needed law. May such legislation underscore the dignity of all whom God has created and reflect our proud history of Hoosier hospitality.

Rev. Chad R. Abbott, Conference Minister

Indiana-Kentucky Conference, United Church of Christ

The Rt. Rev. Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows, Bishop

Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis 

Rev. Sara Dingman, Synod Executive

Synod of Lincoln Trails, President Church (USA)

Rev. Dr. William O. Gafkjen, Bishop

Indiana-Kentucky Synod, ELCA

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Douglas Sparks, Bishop

Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana

Rev. Richard L. Spleth, Regional Minister

Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Indiana

Rev. Richard L. Spleth, Regional Minister

Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Indiana

Rev. Taylor Alan Thames, Executive Presbyter

Whitewater Valley Presbytery, Presbyterian Church (USA)

Most Reverend Charles C. Thompson, Archbishop

Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Indianapolis

The Rev. Dr. Julius C. Trimble, Bishop

Indiana Conference of The United Methodist Church

Originally posted in the Indianapolis Star Letters to the Editor on March 3, 2019.

Uprooting Racial Injustice

in
20181013_103052.jpg

Gethsemane Episcopal Church hosted Uprooting Racial Injustice: A Racial Reconciliation Workshop on Saturday, October 14. Fifty to sixty people attended the event which addressed events in Marion, Ind. These included the 1930 lynching of two young black men, a police video in which four white police officers were taped holding down a young black man, and racist statements issued by a local official. The event focused on table discussions following three presentations on these issues. Those attending were invited to share their reactions, and to consider ways to move forward to deal with racism in our community. The day concluded with a prayer of reconciliation prepared by the international Community of the Cross of Nails, of which Gethsemane is a member.

Andrew Morrell, pastor of the REAL Community Covenant Church, a largely African-American group with whom Gethsemene partnered has this to say.

"I'm grateful for a couple of reasons: 1.) Torri Williams-Doehla did a phenomenal job of explaining American history and racism during [the] racial reconciliation workshop. Great work sister! 2.) White Christians who are seeking to understand the construction of racism/whiteness, it’s demonic impact on humanity, and tangible ways to proactively stand against racial injustice. Thank you Father Jim & Gethsemane Episcopal Church for rejecting complicity and silent spirituality for the sake of what’s right for all of humanity created in God’s image. You are bearing a credible witness of a Righteous Messiah named Jesus Christ. The more that Christians seek racial righteousness, the closer we’ll get to God’s beautifully just kingdom."

The workshop was featured on the front page of the Marion newspaper, the Chronicle Tribune. Read the article here.

Article submitted by Fr. Jim Warnock, Rector of Gethsemane Episcopal Church in Marion.

Holy Family Co-hosts "Community Conversations"

in , ,
Community Conversations @ Cahoots in Angola, IN

Community Conversations @ Cahoots in Angola, IN

Throughout the month of August, residents from Angola and beyond gathered at the invitation of local congregations (incl. Holy Family) and the Community Coalition for Change ("CCC") to practice dialogue and deliberation around important and often contentious social issues. Our goal was not only to practice listening to each other, but to discover common ground for local, next steps we might take.

In July, Fr. Tom Adamson was invited by Pastor Daryl Emry of Calvary Lutheran in Angola to join clergy from the Methodist, Congregational, and Roman Catholic churches to discern 4 social topics, which might be difficult for people to talk about with one another. Immigration, Gun Violence, Opioid Addiction, and Energy Choices were selected. Next the clergy invited the CCC, a group of Angola citizens with no religious affiliation who seek to work for a just society, to join in the design process.

Each session was well attended and produced a desire to take action, for example, the design team is looking into inviting an immigration lawyer to help the community learn more about the complexities of immigration law; and the Faith Community Health Clinic (housed in Holy Family) is working to collect unused prescription pain medications to prevent opioid abuse.

Special thanks to Angola Mayor Dick Hickman, to Fr. Joshua Nelson for attending all four sessions (commuting from Elkhart), and Missioner Adrien Niyongabo for attending the second session.

- the Rev. Tom Adamson, Holy Family Episcopal Church, Angola, IN