Our responsibility to combat racism

Greetings, Friends –

Following the media has been like a ping pong match lately. We’re surrounded by tragedy on all sides and it’s tough to know where to focus our attention. It seems that the whole planet is moaning in pain. But just as quickly as a story makes the news, it seems to vanish as another seemingly more timely story takes its place. Yet, the people involved in the now-back-page story are still grieving and hurt. Last week I wrote about the murder of Michael Brown and the response in Ferguson – and now I hear nothing about this awful and unsettled situation. Well, I’m not done with this yet!

We have 2 resolutions passed at the 77^th General Convention in 2012 that remind us of our responsibility to combat racism in our church and in our land:

A125: Recommit to the Work of Anti-Racism

Resolved, That the 77th General Convention recommit and declare itself to be dedicated to continuing the work against the sin of racism in all of its forms; and be it further

Resolved, That a culture, expectation, and practice of anti-racism permeate the life of The Episcopal Church; and be it further

Resolved, That anti-racism principles and practices permeate the work of all teams of the DFMS, monitored and networked by a staff officer; and be it further

Resolved, That anti-racism principles and practices permeate the work of all volunteers participating in the governance structures of The Episcopal Church; and be it further

Resolved, That anti-racism training oversight and implementation be carried out on provincial and diocesan levels for all Episcopalians; and be it further

Resolved, That all dioceses and provinces initiate anti-racism training if they have not already done so and continue to engage in anti-racism training on an ongoing basis; and be it further

Resolved, That the provinces report annually to the Executive Council on the progress being made in fulfillment of this resolution; and be it further

Resolved, That the 77th General Convention request that the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance consider a budget allocation of $180,000 to be distributed and used by the Provinces for the implementation of this resolution during the 2013–2015 triennium.

A127: Recommit to Being Anti-Racists for the Next Three Triennia

Resolved, That The Episcopal Church recommit and declare itself to be dedicated to continuing to work against the sin of racism; and be it further

Resolved, That anti-racism training oversight and implementation be carried out on provincial and diocesan levels for all Episcopalians; and be it further

Resolved, That all dioceses and provinces receive anti-racism training if they have not already done so and continue to engage in anti-racism training on an ongoing basis; and be it further

Resolved, That dioceses and provinces use existing programs and ministries, or develop new programs and ministries, to dismantle and eradicate structures of racism, both internally and externally, and integrate the practices of anti-racism into their ongoing life.

I see a challenge here for us. These resolutions are great – and very important – but are we actually doing anything about them? How many members of our congregations are up-to-date on the anti-racism training?

Our Ministry Developer, the Rev. Michelle Meech, has been tasked in keeping these programs going so stay tuned for future dates and locations. In the meantime, what is your congregation doing? Are you having dialogues about the impact of racism in your community? Let’s not let this issue fall by the wayside until another tragedy wakes us from our complacency.

O God,
we confess
that the sin of racial hatred and prejudice
distorts your divine plan for our human lives:

You created us in divine likeness, diverse and beautiful:
In every person, every race is your image.
But too often we fail to recognize your image in all:
Forgive us.

You created us in divine freedom, to be free:
In every decision, every choice is your possibility of justice.
But too often we fail to choose to advocate for your justice for all:
Forgive us.

You created us for divine abundance, to tend and share:
In every garden, every social structure is your seed of community.
But too often we fail to create that community which includes all,
and gives to all equal access to your abundant life:
Forgive us.

Forgive us:
Open our eyes to distinguish good from evil
Open our hearts to desire good over evil
Strengthen our wills to choose good over evil,
So that we may create among us your beloved community.

Amen

~ Judith Schellhammer, chair, Resolution Review Committee, Diocesan Council