We Need Racial Justice and Repair Now More than Ever

As we enter more deeply into this church season after the Epiphany, the glorious white vestments of Jesus’ birth and Epiphany and Baptism are put away, and we enter into the day-to-day work of what is sometimes called ordinary time, a flash of green on these snowy winter weeks.

The Scriptures that greet us on Sundays now remind us again and again what true discipleship asks of us, what the baptismal covenant that we recited at the Baptism of the Lord currently requires of us. The Feast of Absalom Jones, which the church celebrates on 2/13, reminds us of the power of such discipleship in our own city and in the world.

In these not-so-ordinary times, the courageous action that is empowered by our Baptismal covenant is needed now more than ever.

Now more than ever racial justice and repair is essential to the work, especially as it intersects with the safety of LGBTQIA people, of women, of immigrants and people without documents, of people marginalized by poverty, illness and social abuses, and of the earth as it undergoes ever expanding climate catastrophe. The Gospel calls us to stand with those among us who are hit first and worst by threats to their human dignity now more than ever.

This is what we mean by our Baptismal renunciation of “the evil powers of this world which corrupt and destroy the creatures of God.” This is what we mean by our promise to “strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being.” This is what we mean when we vow to turn to Christ as Lord and Savior and rely on his grace and love.

But how do we do this exactly? What does the work of our Baptismal promises look like now in these not-so-ordinary times?

In some ways it looks much as it always has. Experiencing diverse opinions, cultures and stories combats the echo-chamber of bigoted and misinformed opinions that can swell in homogenous places. Understanding the history and current veracity of systemic racism is essential to making sure that our own responses are just.

We put that learning into action when we ensure that our own religious institutions are safe places for non-dominant groups, that they foster diverse leadership and staff, that they are informed by racial understanding, and engaged in practices that combat racism. Calling out racism in both private conversations and public policy is also part of the everyday work.

As a Church, we must also be ready to model ethical and moral practices in new ways. When Diversity, Equity and Inclusion training on racism and its causes is set aside in corporate and civic institutions, we can make our churches places where that learning is available. The same is true for understanding the LGBTQIA experience and creating safe spaces for people to gather and share resources when legal protections disappear.

When people with vulnerable immigration status are targets for mistreatment, then we must ensure they have access to legal help and safe spaces, and that we are keeping an eye on people in our own parishes and neighborhoods who are under threat. The diocese is putting together helpful guidance and resources to assist clergy in this area.

The gifts that we as a Church can offer frightened people at this moment include our gathering and worship spaces, our pulpits, our financial and volunteer resources, our education efforts, and the diversity of the people who make up our membership. All of these are strengthened and graced by our ancient practices of prayer, worship, almsgiving and pastoral care.

The Anti-Racism Commission holds that the spiritual practices that are foundational to racial justice and healing strengthen all justice muscles. We offer a variety of ways to enter and sustain the work of racial justice and repair, adding to the Episcopal Church’s national efforts on racial reconciliation. On ARC’s website and its monthly newsletter you will find information on how to:
· Receive training in racial justice and repair
· Sing African American spirituals with integrity
· Learn one another’s diverse racial experiences through theater and storytelling
· Start learning groups that lead to action
· Offer racial healing circles for African Americans
· Connect with other parishes and individuals working on their own racial justice and healing efforts.

For more information please visit the ARC website at arcdiopa.org or email us at [email protected].

If you have not been engaged in the work before, now is the time to start. If you are a long-time practitioner of racial justice and repair, now is the time to keep going and invite others into the effort.

The Anti-Racism Commission will be here to help in every way we can. Now more than ever.