The Anti-Racism Commission's monthly newsletter goes out to all ARC supporters and training participants. Please forward it to others who might benefit from our resources and workshops. And check out our website for past articles, training information and ongoing resources.

Introduction to Movement Chaplaincy

Faith leaders engaging in the movement for collective liberation

Tue. Jun. 23, 2026 from 10 am to 1 pm at St. John's Church at Diocesan Center

23 E Airy St, Norristown, PA 19401

Fee: $15. Scholarships are available. Email diopaarc@gmail.com.

The Anti-Racism Commission of the Diocese of Pennsylvania is sponsoring an Introduction to Movement Chaplaincy for clergy and faith leaders offering pastoral support to those engaged in protecting civil society. 

The program will be from 10 am to 1 pm on Tuesday, June 23 at St. John's Church at Diocesan Center, 23 E Airy St, Norristown, PA 19401.

The program, which is open to clergy and faith leaders from all traditions, will be facilitated by Melissa Berkey-Gerard, MDiv, a local Mennonite minister, activist and past psychosocial care coordinator for Community Peacemaker Teams.

The program will provide an overview of movement chaplaincy and help faith leaders understand the anatomy of protest and non-violent direct action, understand their role and prepare to offer pastoral presence and support.

Participants are invited to attend the weekly prayer service in support of our immigrant siblings at 2 pm on the corner of Marshall and George Streets in Norristown.

A fee of $15 covers lunch. Scholarships are available.

Please contact The Rev. Barbara Ballenger at stpeter654rector@gmail.com for more information.

Download, print, and share this flyer with anyone you think would be interested in this training.

Racism and Institutions

Sat. Jun. 27, 2026 from 9 am to 12 pm on Zoom

Fee: $20. Scholarships are available, especially for postulants and candidates for ordination. Email diopaarc@gmail.com.

This training explores the ways in which racism manifests in America’s educational, employment, entertainment, finance, healthcare, housing, justice, mass media, and religious institutions. The next training will be Introduction to Systemic Racism on Aug. 22.

The Anti-Racism Commission's anti-racism training series is facilitated by Lailah Dunbar-Keeys, M.S., M.Ed. and designed to help participants understand the historic creation, preservation, and personal and institutional effects of a society built upon ideas of racial difference, which in turn support an unjust, racially based hierarchy.

Anti-racism trainings are mandatory for clergy and open to all. Completion of all 5 trainings over 2 years meets the initial clergy requirement for anti-racism education. For more information, questions or concerns, please email diopaarc@gmail.com.

KUSANYA: "The Gathering"

The Anti-Racism Commission of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania is offering racial healing circles facilitated by Lailah Dunbar-Keeys, M.S., M.Ed.

Grounded in historical, cultural, sociological, and spiritual understanding, racial healing circles will provide a safe space for small groups of like-minded people to share their stories about the challenging realities of systemic racism. Learn more.

For questions about ARC's racial healing circles, or if you are interested in hosting a racial healing circle for people who identify as African American at your church, please email The Rev. Andrea Gardner (deaconandreagardner@gmail.com).

The History of Reconstruction and Its End

• A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn
• The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America by Richard Rothstein
• The 14th Amendment: Battles for Freedom and Equality by National Constitution Center
• Black Reconstruction in America 1860-1880 by W. E. B. Du Bois
• The 13th Directed by Ava DuVernay (100 mins)
• Reconstruction: Crash Course Black American History #19 by Crash Course (14 mins)

Email diopaarc@gmail.com and let us know what resources would help you in your anti-racism work. Visit our website for more anti-racism resources.

The Anti-Racism Commission was created by diocesan convention resolution in 2005 with the mandate “to affect the systemic and institutional transformation in the diocese away from the sin of racism and toward the fulfillment of the Gospel and the baptismal mandate to strive for justice and respect the dignity of all persons.” Consisting of 12 members, a mix of clergy and lay and persons of various ethnic and cultural backgrounds, the commission aims to increase awareness of the history and legacy of racism in our country and to engage members of the diocese in dismantling its effects. To learn more about how ARC can help your parish engage in the work of racial justice and repair, email ARC co-chairs Ernie Dixon (marzelldixon@icloud.com) and The Rev. Ernie Galaz (frernie@christchurchmedia.org).