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.

Guest Homilist: Lailah Dunbar-Keeys

Sun. Jun. 29, 2025 at 10:30 am at St. Mary's Chester

703 Edwards St, Chester, PA 19013

Sun. Jul. 6, 2025 at 10 am at Calvary St. Augustine

814 North 41st St, Philadelphia, PA 19104

Anti-racism training and racial healing circle facilitator for the Anti-Racism Commission of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania Lailah Dunbar-Keeys will be the guest homilist at two parishes within our diocese. All are welcome to attend these services.

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.

Clinicians:

Ruth Naomi Floyd

Dr. Jay Fluellen

Carrie Lessene

Dr. Thomas Lloyd

Guest Choir:

Intermezzo Choir Ministry, Carrie Lessene, Director

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.

Photo: Clinician Dr. Jay Fluellen, Organist/Choir Director, African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas, taught several different versions of the Spiritual "I Want to Be Ready" at Singing the African American Spirituals with Integrity on Oct. 5, 2024 at St. Peter's Glenside.

Racism and Institutions

Sat. Jun. 28, 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 racism manifests in America’s educational, employment, entertainment, finance, healthcare, housing, justice, mass media, and religious institutions. The next training is Introduction to Systemic Racism on Aug. 23.

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 diopaarc@gmail.com.

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

KUSANYA: "The Gathering"

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 stpeter654rector@gmail.com.

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

Make Peace

• Juneteenth: What Does Freedom Mean to You Now? Think about it! featuring Lailah Dunbar-Keeys (4 mins)
• Juneteenth: Sun, Sounds and the Spirit of Freedom by the National Museum of African American History and Culture
• The Antiracism Starter Kit: A Where Change Started Action Guide by L. Glenise Pike
• A Resource Booklet for Mental Health and the Spirit by the Union of Black Episcopalians Mental Health Task Force - July 2023
• The difference between being "not racist" and antiracist with Ibram X. Kendi (52 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, contact The Rev. Barbara Ballenger (stpeter654rector@gmail.com) or The Rev. Ernie Galaz (frernie@christchurchmedia.org), ARC co-chairs.