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 blog site for past articles, training information and ongoing resources. | | September 2025 Programs and Events | | |
This month, the Anti-Racism Commission (ARC) is offering a variety of programs and events for you to plug into.
| | Playback Theatre Workshop Series | | Telling Our Stories: Healing the Wounds of Racism, Becoming Beloved Community | | |
In 4 interactive sessions of theater and discussion, participants see themselves in one another’s stories of race and racism as they are brought to life on stage by members of Playback For Change, a multi-racial, improvisational theatre company based in Philadelphia dedicated to using Playback Theatre as a vehicle for social change.
Audience members’ real stories become the source material. The performance is spontaneous - it is theater created through a unique collaboration between performers and audience. Someone from the audience tells a story or moment from their life, chooses actors to play the different roles, then watches as their story is immediately recreated on “stage.” Learn more.
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Sat. Sep. 20, 2025 from 2 to 4:30 pm at Trinity, Swarthmore
301 N Chester Rd, Swarthmore, PA 19081
An initial foundational performance for everyone, to introduce the Playback Theatre format, to affirm the power of diversity and our common humanity, and to build interest for participating in the racial affinity performances.
| | What to Expect: Watch this video of Pamela Freeman and Sarah Halley, Co-Artistic Directors of Playback For Change, explaining what Playback Theatre is and what audiences might expect at each of the 4 sessions. (4 mins) | | | |
Sat. Sep. 13, 2025 from 10 am to 1 pm at St. Michael's Yeadon
813 Longacre Blvd, Yeadon, PA 19050
Free and open to anyone who self-identifies as African American
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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).
| | Around the Diocese of Pennsylvania | | Interfaith Procession and Vigil in Solidarity with Our Immigrant Neighbors | | |
Sun. Sep. 14, 2025 from 4 to 6:30 pm at St. John’s Episcopal Church at Diocesan Center
23 E Airy St, Norristown, PA 19401
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Local people of faith and goodwill are invited to gather for an interfaith procession and vigil in solidarity with our immigrant and refugee neighbors on Sunday, September 14 from 4 to 6:30 pm at St. John’s Episcopal Church at Diocesan Center, 23 E Airy St, Norristown, PA 19401.
The event will include a prayer procession through the neighborhood, outdoor prayer vigil and networking reception. This event is for allies to show solidarity with those whose attendance would put them at risk. Gathering begins at 3:30 pm at St. John’s with procession starting at 4 pm.
Participants are asked to bring signs and banners printed with Scriptures, poems, or spiritual sayings that call us to act in solidarity with our immigrant and refugee neighbors, to protect people under threat and resist unjust laws and policies that harm them.
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Participants can also use the RSVP link to sign up to sing an anthem in the event's pick-up choir. Music will be sent out ahead of time.
For more information, contact The Rev. Canon Toneh Smyth at tsmyth@diopa.org or The Rev. Barbara Ballenger, co-chair of the Diocesan Anti-Racism Commission at stpeter654rector@gmail.com.
The event is sponsored by the Anti-Racism Commission of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania and planned by local clergy and faith leaders.
| | Singing the African American Spirituals with Integrity | | A workshop for clergy, musicians, and congregants | | |
Sat. Nov. 22, 2025 from 2 to 5 pm at St. David's Episcopal Church
763 South Valley Forge Rd, Wayne, PA 19087
Open to all
Tickets: $20. Scholarships are available. Email diopaarc@gmail.com.
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Clinicians:
Ruth Naomi Floyd
Dr. Jay Fluellen
Carrie Lessene
Dr. Thomas Lloyd
Guest Choir:
Intermezzo Choir Ministry, Carrie Lessene, Director
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This workshop is offered for church musicians, clergy, and lay people who seek to learn more about how to introduce the repertoire of the African American Spirituals to their choirs and congregations. During the first part of the workshop, the four clinicians will take turns modeling how they teach the Spirituals to their adult, youth, and children’s choirs, as well as to their congregations.
Music for these selections will be provided to attendees as part of the workshop. Special attention will be given to the historical context of the music, and the ways in which those who are not direct descendants of the enslaved people who originated the Spirituals can develop their own authentic connection to the music with respect and integrity. The afternoon will conclude with a short service of singing, prayer, and a homily.
| | ARC Anti-Racism Trainings | | |
Sat. Sep. 27, 2025 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 systemic racism informs our personal identity, behaviors and outcomes. We will develop a sociological understanding of the concepts colorblindness, colorism, cultural appropriation, unconscious bias, micro-aggressions, White fragility, and White privilege. The next training is Racism and Active Accountability on Oct. 25. | | |
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.
| | Upcoming Programs and Events | | | Sep. 13 | Racial Healing Circle | St. Michael's Yeadon | Register | | Sep. 14 | Interfaith Procession and Vigil in Solidarity with Our Immigrant Neighbors | St. John’s Episcopal Church at Diocesan Center, Norristown | RSVP | | Sep. 20 | Embracing Diversity - Telling Our Stories | Trinity, Swarthmore | Tickets | | Sep. 27 | Racism and Identity - Anti-Racism Training | Zoom | Register | | Oct. 4 | Racial Healing Circle | Calvary St. Augustine, Philadelphia | Postponed | | Oct. 11 | Telling the Whole Story - Telling Our Stories | African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas, Philadelphia | Tickets | | Oct. 25 | Racism and Active Accountability - Anti-Racism Training | Zoom | Register | | Nov. 8 | Racial Healing Circle | St. Augustine of Hippo, Norristown | Register | | Nov. 15 | Exploring Our Whiteness - Telling Our Stories | Incarnation Holy Sacrament, Drexel Hill | Tickets | | Nov. 22 | Singing the African American Spirituals with Integrity | St. David's, Radnor | Tickets | | Jan. 17 | Creating Common Cause - Telling Our Stories | St. Alban's, Newtown Square | Tickets | | | 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, contact The Rev. Barbara Ballenger (stpeter654rector@gmail.com) or The Rev. Ernie Galaz (frernie@christchurchmedia.org), ARC co-chairs. | | | | |
