The text used by our vestry for an introduction to church reparations was written by the Reverend Peter Jarrett-Schell, Rector of Calvary Episcopal Church, Washington, DC. Entitled Reparations: A Plan for Churches, the book draws upon Jarrett-Schell’s experience with draws on his experience as a member of the Reparations Committee in the Diocese of Washington, DC and as Rector of Calvary Episcopal Church, a historically Black church in the diocese.

We discovered an interview with Reverend Jarrett-Schell that was hosted by the Union of Black Episcopalians (UBE) in their series of monthly virtual talks (scroll down to the last talk): We’re Talking Now: Reparations: A Plan for Churches (November 19, 2023). In it, Jarrett-Schell explains his recommendations for church reparations processes. He tells us that while reluctant to write the book on his own, he decided to do so only with the advice and counsel of prominent Black leaders and in dialogue with them. In this talk, he gives two examples of churches who are moving along in very different approaches to repair and reparations.

Both processes have these elements in common: beginning with developing relationships in community; listening and challenging assumptions along the way; revisiting their parish histories and local community histories to determine the right focus for their efforts; and bringing their partner church (and sometimes other) communities in at the ground level of discussion and decision-making. He points out that discussions of actual monetary decisions constitute later steps in his recommended collaborative methodology.

We recommend this introduction to Jarrett-Schell’s notions of good practices as well as the interesting history of the UBE which has undergone several name changes and organizational processes over the years. Their mission continues as: “To unite the diverse cultures, concerns and gifts of Black Episcopalians by providing preparation and encouragement for living the Baptismal Covenant and fully participating in the mission and governance of The Episcopal Church.”

—Mary Beth Clack, Cindy Coldren, Pat Krol
–Published in This Week @Emmanuel Church Jan. 25, Feb. 1 & 8, 2024