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. | |
Around the Diocese of Pennsylvania | |
Guest Homilist: Lailah Dunbar-Keeys | |
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Sun. Mar. 16, 2025 at 10 am at St. Michael's Yeadon
813 Longacre Blvd, Yeadon, PA 19050
Lailah Dunbar-Keeys, racial healing circle facilitator for the diocesan Anti-Racism Commission, will be the guest homilist at St. Michael's Yeadon for Women's History Month.
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An Evensong for Lent - "I was a sojourner and you took me in." | |
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Sun. Mar. 23, 2025 at 4 pm at Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral
19 S 38th St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
A service of Choral Evensong will take place at the Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral on Sunday, March 23 at 4 pm featuring Cathedral Singers, Dr. Thomas Lloyd, Canon for Music, and Erik Meyer, Organist. The readings and music for this Evensong will focus on the scriptural theme of welcoming the stranger, the sojourner, and the refugee. The choral repertoire will include works by Duke Ellington, Herbert Howells, T. Tertius Noble, Stephen Paulus, Moira Smiley and Thomas Lloyd. Click here to view the repertoire for the Evensong service. Click here to watch the Mirabai Women's Professional Ensemble perform Moira Smiley's Refugee with the composer.
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We Need Racial Justice and Repair Now More than Ever | |
Last month, the Anti-Racism Commission released the following statement in response to executive orders and legislation that undermine marginalized communities and diversity, equity, and inclusion. | |
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As we enter more deeply into this church season after the Epiphany, the glorious white vestments of Jesus’ birth and Epiphany and Baptism are put away, and we enter into the day-to-day work of what is sometimes called ordinary time, a flash of green on these snowy winter weeks.
The Scriptures that greet us on Sundays now remind us again and again what true discipleship asks of us, what the baptismal covenant that we recited at the Baptism of the Lord currently requires of us. The Feast of Absalom Jones, which the church celebrated on 2/13, reminds us of the power of such discipleship in our own city and in the world.
In these not-so-ordinary times, the courageous action that is empowered by our Baptismal covenant is needed now more than ever.
Now more than ever racial justice and repair is essential to the work, especially as it intersects with the safety of LGBTQIA people, of women, of immigrants and people without documents, of people marginalized by poverty, illness and social abuses, and of the earth as it undergoes ever expanding climate catastrophe. The Gospel calls us to stand with those among us who are hit first and worst by threats to their human dignity now more than ever.
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ARC Anti-Racism Trainings | |
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Sat. Mar. 29, 2025 from 9 am to 12 pm on Zoom
Fee: $20. Scholarships are available, especially for postulants and candidates for ordination. Email arc@diopa.org.
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This training explores the ways in which systemic racism was created over time through laws, policies and practices. We will consider selected laws, policies and practices, while examining the ways in which our society has been continuously shaped by them. The next training is Introduction to Systemic Racism on Apr. 26. | |
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The Anti-Racism Commission's anti-racism training series is facilitated by Lailah Dunbar-Keeys 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 arc@diopa.org.
| | Download, print, and share this flyer with anyone you think would be interested in anti-racism training. | |
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Sat. Mar. 22, 2025 from 10 am to 1 pm at St. Augustine of Hippo
1208 Green St, Norristown, PA 19401
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.
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.
In our current cultural climate, with sweeping legislation that undermines centuries of Civil Rights policies and social justice practices, many people find themselves grasping for meaning. With the support of the circle facilitator, participants will be provided the tools to listen, reflect, and gain understanding.
This racial healing circle is for an African American affinity group (i.e., people who identify as African American). We will convene a multicultural healing circle in the future.
Questions you may be asked to consider are:
- What does it mean to be Black today?
- How do you navigate systemic racism in our current cultural climate?
- How does your faith support you in overcoming these challenges?
For questions about ARC's racial healing circles, please email ARC co-chair The Rev. Barbara Ballenger at barbballenger@gmail.com.
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Download, print, and share this flyer with anyone you think would be interested in the racial healing circle on Sat. Mar. 22, 2025 at St. Augustine of Hippo. | |
How to have effective conversations with people who haven’t been educated on race and racism | |
A Monthly Gathering of Racial Justice Leaders | |
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Wed. Apr. 2 at 3 pm on Zoom
Free and open to all
RSVP to receive the Zoom link for all upcoming meetings.
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Calling all diocesan racial justice leaders! On the first Wednesday of each month, racial justice leaders and practitioners from dioceses throughout The Episcopal Church gather to discuss pressing issues, exchange best practices, and illuminate the diverse ministries making an impact across our church. This platform is not just a meeting but a sanctuary for ideas, strategies, and mutual support. For more information, please contact The Rev. Miguel Bustos, Manager for Racial Justice and Reconciliation, at mbustos@episcopalchurch.org. | |
Prayer for Racial Justice | |
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Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace, as children of one Father; to whom be dominion and glory, now and for ever.
Amen.
From the Book of Common Prayer, Prayers for the World (4). Other prayers for racial justice can be found on our website.
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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 (barbballenger@gmail.com) or The Rev. Ernie Galaz (frernie@christchurchmedia.org), ARC co-chairs. | | | | |
