Racial Justice & Reform
If you have found your way to this website page, chances are your heart has been broken.
In the aftermath of the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Trinity Excelsior has committed itself anew to the long and enduring ministry of racial justice, freedom, and reconciliation by way of the dismantling of systemic racism entrenched in all aspects of our society and communities.
We come to this work as Christians, as Episcopalians, and as disciples of Jesus Christ. We come to this work as a faith community that embodies different views, experiences, perceptions, and histories - as white people and as people of color. We are different, yet we are united in our baptism, through our values and beliefs, and in our love and affection for each other.
At the heart of who we are, and what we believe, are the promises we make at baptism: that we will spend our whole lives striving “to seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbors as ourselves…” and “for justice and peace among all people…and respect[ing] the dignity of every human being.” These are our foundational promises - to each other and to God. We “make good” on these vows when we understand them as requiring a life-long pursuit, our life’s joyful work and purpose.
The Episcopal Church’s Presiding Bishop, Michael Curry, is calling on us, the “Episcopal Branch of the Jesus Movement,” to focus our work of racial justice and reconciliation through learning, prayer, and action. It’s an evolving process, not about one-off conferences, trainings, and box-checking. It’s a holy process of transformation, about learning “new ways,” walking more and more closely with Jesus, and changing the course of our lives through discovery, repentance, and justice.
At Trinity we will walk this path together with grace and tenacity. Along the way it might be tempting to feel overwhelmed, confused, hurt, scared, uncomfortable, or unsure of where to start anew. But start anew we will, and we are. Let us begin.
George Floyd Memorial Pilgrimage | Friday, August 7 at 9:15 am | Learn more
LEARN
“You write in order to change the world, knowing perfectly well that you probably can’t, but also knowing that literature is indispensable to the world….The world changes according to the way people see it, and if you alter, even but a millimeter, the way people look at reality, then you can change it.” (James Baldwin)
Guidance from Our Leaders
- At the June 2020 Executive Council meeting, our Presiding Bishop offered words of encouragement and challenge
- Our President, Gay Jennings Clark, at the same gathering, offered this reflection
- The Episcopal Church’s long-term commitment to racial healing, reconciliation, and justice is outlined in Becoming Beloved Community
Racial Equity Books
Online Resources
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The Episcopal Church resources on racial reconciliation and justice include study resources, bibliographies, videos, programs, and a section on how to speak with children about race. Especially notable is a video discussion series entitled Sacred Ground.Read More
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The Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing is a ministry in the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta, providing trainings, resources, pilgrimages, and a youth curriculum on race. Their 3-part series on “reimagining policing” is here.Read More
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The Equal Justice Institute is the home of Bryan Stevenson (author of “Just Mercy”). EJI has excellent resources to help us understand the discussion about police reform.Read More
We do not know how to do what we know to do.
We do not know how to be what we know to be.
Our little lives, our big problems – these we place upon Your altar!
Pour out upon us whatever our spirits need
of shock, of life, of release
that we may find strength for these days –
courage and hope for tomorrow.
In confidence we rest in Your sustaining grace
which makes possible triumph in defeat,
gain in loss, and love in hate.
We rejoice this day to say:
our little lives, our big problems –
these we place upon Your altar!
—Howard Thurman