As we begin our shared journey into Reparations, we need to assess how far we have come, both individually and as a faith community. Last Fall in a historic vote, the 237th Annual Diocesan Convention created a Reparations Fund with a goal of $11.1 million, “as part of our effort to address our legacy of wealth accumulated through the enslaved labor of Africans and Afro-Caribbeans on our behalf and for our use today.” More information is here.
We will draw on our diocesan Tool Kit for Reparations in Community, as we explore our response to reparations. Before any talk of specific reparations, however, we must explore some basic questions together from that Tool Kit.
- What racial/cultural/ethnic groups are in our church? Who and how have we excluded or included members of those groups?
- How has our congregation participated in racial injustice or healing over time? What is happening today?
- What is our dream for Beloved Community? What behaviors and practices foster it?
- How will we grow as reconcilers, healers, and justice-bearers? What activities, practices, learning and experiences would (trans)form us? How will we share stories and grow relationship?
- How will we participate in the repair, restoration and healing of people, institutions and systems?
We look forward to inviting all in the greater Emmanuel community to join us in our work.
–Mary Beth Clack, Cindy Coldren, and Pat Krol
Published in This Week @Emmanuel Church Sept. 14, 21 & 28, 2023.