Our Chapel Camp on July 30, 2023 was devoted to a discussion of our study and thoughts about the Church’s moral obligation and opportunity to engage in reparations. This responsibility rightly involves a relational approach that includes, but also goes beyond, focusing entirely on cash payouts toward addressing ongoing economic, educational, and health inequities.

Our Rector and other parishioners gathered to share initial thoughts on how we might, during sabbatical time this fall, offer resources to broaden our understanding of the moral and spiritual dimensions of reparations. To begin, our vestry discussed Luke 19:1-10, the story of Zacchaeus.

In addition, here are two resources recommended to vestry members during our introductory conversations:

• Jarrett-Schell, Peter. Reparations: A Plan for Churches. New York: Church Publishing, 2023. = How churches might engage in discerning their role in repairing the breach. 
• Kwon, Duke L., et al. Reparations: A Christian Call for Repentance and Repair. Brazos Press, a division of Baker Publishing Group, 2021. = How people of faith might learn more about the history, moral necessity, and urgency of reparations. 

We will continue this column as our exploration continues and will include other voices from our congregation.

–Mary Beth Clack, Cindy Coldren, Pat Krol

Published in This Week @Emmanuel Church August 30, 2023; Sept. 7, 2023