Racial Reconciliation
Kindness in a Divisive Climate: Preparing Our Young People for ‘Back to School’
By Myra Garnes As the school and ministry year begins, parents and adults of all generations face the challenge of preparing children for more than just academic success. In a world where political tensions, racism, xenophobia, a climate crisis, sexism, homophobia, and classism are prominent, teaching kindness and fostering a sense of beloved community is […]
Preaching Proper 17
In this episode of Prophetic Voices, we’ll be discussing the lectionary for Proper 17 (B), which takes place this year on Sunday, September 1. We discuss Romans 8:19-25, Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23, James 1:17-27, and Song of Solomon 2:8-13. Our amazing guests this week are: Prophetic Voices is hosted by the Rev. Isaiah “Shaneequa” Brokenleg, […]
Connecting on Sacred Ground
By Andrea Lauerman This first month as Sacred Ground coordinator has left me thinking about connection. Many of the stories in the news these days are about how divided we are as a country. This division is certainly something we need to be attuned to, but I am also inspired by the many ways that […]
Summary of Racial Justice Resolutions at General Convention
By Miguel Bustos, manager for racial justice and reconciliation The 81st General Convention of The Episcopal Church marked an important point in our journey toward justice, particularly in terms of racial justice and reconciliation. Several resolutions passed during this convention demonstrate the church’s persistent commitment to resolving racial disparities and building a community based on […]
General Convention Reflections
By Shaneequa Brokenleg, staff officer for racial reconciliation Summer is upon us, and the whirlwind of General Convention is over. Every three years, we—bishops, clergy, lay delegates, staff, exhibitors, and observers—meet as a church, and this was my first time experiencing it in a formal way. The Union of Black Episcopalians’ meeting and conference was a great […]
Reconsidering the “Other” Asian
By Chanta Bhan and Melina Dezhbod Melina and I met when we were at Virginia Theological Seminary. Melina was entering her Middler Year and I was completing an Anglican Year in preparation for ordination to the priesthood. In some ways, Melina felt more like family to me. I liked to think of her as my […]
Juneteenth
By Lindsey Delks I remember my first experience with knowledge of Juneteenth. I had grown up in the deep belly of the South with grandparents who often told me the stories of their lives during the Civil Rights Movement. My great-grandmother often talked about how her own grandmother bought her dresses as a child from […]
Love Beyond Us
By the Rev. Anne-Marie Jeffery One mantra I repeat in my congregational vitality work is how important getting out into the community around the parish is. You have to be willing to meet your neighbors, to hear them and see them for you to be able to love and serve them. For many in our […]
Pride Month, Juneteenth and More: Becoming Beloved Community Newsletter – June 2024
Dear Beloved Community, As we enter June, we find ourselves at the intersection of celebration and reflection, marked by Pride month, Juneteenth, and the fresh memories of the Feast of Pentecost. Each of these significant times holds a profound message of transformation and empowerment that resonates deeply with our journey toward becoming a Beloved Community. […]
Episcopal Church of New Hampshire Passes Resolution to Tackle Reparations
By Susan Axelrod At its 2023 Diocesan Convention, the Episcopal Church of New Hampshire took the bold step of passing a resolution to create a formal reparations plan for the diocese. The resolution is a logical next step living into previous General Convention and diocesan resolutions that encouraged parishes to tell the truth about their […]
