Racial Reckoning, Justice & Healing Resources
It is our unity in Christ that powers the efforts of the Episcopal Church to continue its ongoing efforts to combat the sin of racism. Racism is an affliction that sickens us as a community and as individuals. It is still alive and well. We see the effects of racism reflected in all aspects of society. Through resolutions passed nationally and in North Carolina, The Episcopal Church has extolled a consistent message to its churches, clergy, and parishioners to educate themselves and to take action to eliminate racism wherever it exists— in our institutions, communities, churches and ourselves. Much progress has been made but there is still work to be done to achieve the biblical imperative of unity in Christ.
The Racial Justice and Reconciliation Committee (RJRC) is the body responsible for identifying the needs and potential solutions pertaining to racial inequities and white supremacy in the Diocese and in our churches. Some of their recommended programs are highlighted below.
Find a church engaged in anti-racism work
A partnership among diocesan staff, the Racial Justice and Reconciliation Committee and notable consultants such as Dr. Catherine Meeks of the Absalom Jones Center in Atlanta, “Introduction to Dismantling Racism: Reclaiming Our Baptismal Promise” is an interactive workshop designed to deepen spiritual commitment to dismantling racism as participants in the Jesus Movement. Through presentations, prayer, story sharing, videos and small group discussion, participants explore how the sin of racism impacts all lives.
There is a $15 suggested donation for workshops.
Although it is online, we want you to know Introduction to Dismantling Racism is a participatory workshop in which we build community and learn from each other. Therefore, attendees will need a laptop or tablet with video capability and need to attend the two day workshop in its entirety.
You will need to:
- Log on with a laptop, computer or tablet
- Be fully present and not be multi-tasking
- Attend all sessions without coming late or leaving early. The Zoom room will lock shortly after our start time. Late attendees will not be able to join the workshop
- Keep video on during the session
- Participate in conversations and small groups
Upcoming training dates:
- March 24, 5-8 p.m., and March 25, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Register.
- June 23, 5-8 p.m., and June 24, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Register.
- July 28, 5-8 p.m., and July 29, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Register.
- September 29, 5-8 p.m., and September 30, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Register.
- November 10, 5-8 p.m., and November 11, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Register.
- Join the waitlist and be contacted for future sessions.
The youth department also offers a youth version of Introduction to Dismantling Racism.
SACRED GROUND FACILITATORS TRAINING
Who:
- People who have taken Sacred Ground and want to gain skills and support around facilitating Sacred Ground
- Experienced Facilitators who want to gain more insight and best practices
What:
- Three 90-minute sessions
- Opportunity to share the framework of Sacred Ground, share discussion questions and themes for each week, integrate “tools” to help participants move to action, integrate spiritual practices to ground the work in our faith and life
When:
- Watch for updates!
SACRED GROUND DIOCESAN GROUP
Have you wanted to offer Sacred Ground for your church but wanted to experience it first? This is your chance to experience the program. With this program, we want to equip facilitators to begin groups in the fall.
Who:
- People who have not taken Sacred Ground and may want to facilitate
- People who want to explore their faith and racial justice
What:
- 10 biweekly, 90-minute sessions
- Readings, two core books, and film and spiritual practices
The two core books for the class are "Waking Up White” by Debby Irving and "Jesus and the Disinherited" by Howard Thurman. If you need the Diocese to order these books for you, please tell us which books you need in the registration form.
When:
- Beginning March 1, every other Wednesday through July 26
(3/1, 3/8, 3/22, 4/12, 4/26, 5/10, 5/24, 6/14, 6/28, 7/12, 7/26) - 11 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.
Participants are invited to peel away the layers that have contributed to the challenges and divides of the present day – all while grounded in our call to faith, hope and love.
- Sacred Ground is a sensitive, prayerful resource that creates space for complex but respectful and transformative dialogue on race and racism.
- It invites participants to walk back through history to peel away the layers that brought us to today, reflecting on family histories and stories, as well as essential narratives that shape the collective American story.
- It holds as a guiding star the vision of beloved community – where all people are honored and protected and nurtured as beloved children of God, where we weep at one another’s pain and seek one another’s flourishing.
For more information, contact Jenny Beaumont, missioner for adult and lifelong formation.
ROUNDTABLES ON RACE
“Roundtables on Race” is a podcast that invites conversation around the effects of race on many facets of society, going deeper than traditional conversations usually allow. The role and impact on race in American society is deeply layered and nuanced, with no simple explanations or solutions. For those who are already involved in the work of racial equity and reconciliation, this is a chance to go even deeper. For those who are surprised, frustrated or curious that we’re still talking about race and racism in this country, it’s a chance to see what’s long been kept invisible.
Each season of the podcast focuses on one topic, allowing every episode to be an opportunity to discuss an aspect of that topic and explore the layers and nuance. We will actually get into the weeds with some of these topics to better understand the history and opportunities for redirection.
SUBSCRIBE
"Roundtables on Race" can be found on many of your favorite podcast providers, including:
BECOMING AN ANTI-RACIST CHURCH CURRICULUM
“Becoming an Anti-Racist Church” is a new mini-course designed to give participants a chance to review and unpack the concepts and vocabulary introduced in the two-day Racial Equity Institute (REI) Phase I anti-racism workshop. It has also been modified to allow participation from those who have not attended the REI training. The curriculum was developed and is offered by Episcopalians United Against Racism, a collaborative partnership that includes the diocesan Bishop’s Committee for Racial Justice and Reconciliation.
SUBSIDIES FOR REI TRAININGS
Racial Equity Institute (REI) Training provides an analysis of race and racism from a systems perspective. That is, it addresses racism not only from the standpoint of individual bias, but also by examining the historical roots of racism as it affects institutions—the church, education, health care, criminal justice, etc., and what effect that has on the opportunities that white people and people of color have. Although this is a secular training, people of faith are well-represented in each training, and conversations during the training address religious issues.
The Racial Justice and Reconciliation Committee (RJRC) of the Diocese encourages each parish to have one or more members—clergy or lay—attend this training as a way to “seed” an understanding of racism from this perspective, and to have a common vocabulary and approach throughout the Diocese. To help defray the cost of the training, the Diocese, through the RJRC is offering subsidies to parishioners to attend.
Learn more and apply for a subsidy.
GO SPEAK: RECONCILIATION EDITION
Recognizing our church’s priority to engage in acts of racial reconciliation, the Go Speak: Reconciliation Edition deck encourages individuals to share their own experiences with racism and white supremacy in groups as we respond to our Christian call “to act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with our God.” (Micah 6:8)
JOIN THE COMMITTEE
The Diocese needs the help of all of its members to help eradicate the problem of racism in our diocese. We need passionate individuals who want to make a difference by helping the diocesan Racial Justice and Reconciliation Committee embrace the just cause of eradicating racism. All ages and ethnicities are welcome to join the committees' efforts. Let Bishop Sam Rodman know that you are interested in being appointed to the committee.
If you cannot commit to being a member of the committee, consider signing on as a Friend of the Committee. You will receive information about all meetings and calls and will be able to participate as your schedule allows.
If you are interested in being listed as a Friend of the Committee, contact the co-chairs, DeDreana Freeman and Chris Coby. You can also engage in the committee's work by following them on Facebook.
Canon Missioner for Black Ministries
Deacon for Anti-racism and Reconciliation
