Anti-Racism
Over the past few years we have become familiar with Ibram X. Kendi’s reminder that “it is not simply enough to not be racist, we must be actively anti-racist.”
The workshops below cover many facets of the ways in which white supremacy has taken a hold within the church and what we can do to extricate it.
Anti-racism Training for the Diocese of California
In March of 2022, the Executive Council of the Episcopal Diocese of California passed a resolution requiring Anti-racism training:
Whereas the General Convention of the Episcopal Church resolution 2000-B049, affirms that all elected people in the Episcopal church, along with all ordained clergy and those who are employed, be it resolved the Executive Council of the Diocese of California reaffirms its commitment to anti-racism and affirms that all clergy, staff and elected position, which include those at convention, deaneries and vestries in our diocese are mandated to take anti-racism training.
The Diocese of CA will accept these 3 programs as fulfillment of the mandate for anti-racism training:
Participation in a full course of Sacred Ground. Proof of attendance should be submitted by the leader of the group and/or local clergy.
Fully participating in the online course linked on this page (Becoming Beloved Community: Understanding Systemic Racism). Participants should fully answer all questions.
Participation in a group offering of the Becoming Beloved Community: Understanding Systemic Racism. Proof of attendance should be submitted by the leader of the group and/or local clergy.
Want to know if someone has fulfilled the requirements? Please contact Amy Cook (amyc@diocal.org) to check the status of those who have taken online training.
Anti-racism training must be renewed every 3 years since these courses are just the starting point for the deep conversations and learning that must take place around the racial history of this country and the participation of the Episcopal Church, as well as individuals, in perpetuating oppression.
When you register, please add your church name and city/town in your PROFILE BIO.
Through Church Next, we are now offering a free, self-guided training, Becoming Beloved Community: Understanding Systemic Racism which is linked above. This six-session curriculum is available for individuals, or to be used as a group training in a congregation. Begin the course by clicking on the button and creating an account in Church Next. PLEASE ADD YOUR CHURCH NAME AND TOWN TO THE PROFILE BIO WHEN YOU REGISTER.
If you are interested in having a group training at your church, then click on the GROUP version rather than the Individual version. The material will be available to use in a group and works well for vestries.
Workshop Recordings
Inspired by their participation in the Sacred Ground curriculum, members from the Church of the Resurrection, Pleasant Hill hosted three forums addressing various subjects about race in America.
Indigenous Speakers of the East Bay: Stories of Loss & Transformation
Originally presented on August 3, 2022
Indigenous speakers living in the East Bay tell their stories of how colonization, including discrimination, has and continues to impact them and their communities. Beyond these losses of lives, land and culture, find out how you can participate in healing and transforming these legacies. The conversation includes a Q&A and ways non-Natives can work with Natives to create meaningful social change.
Sean Burke, Land Programs Director at Save Mount Diablo, which preserves, defends and restores the natural lands on Mount Diablo and its foothills for wildlife and people to enjoy. Burke grew up in Martinez and was a Park Ranger for the East Bay Regional Park District before joining Save Mount Diablo. He is an Alpinist who likes climbing mountains and connecting to wild, beautiful places and creatures. He volunteers with Sogorea Té Land Trust, which facilitates the return of Indigenous land to Indigenous people. Burke also works with Cal State University East Bay’s Indigenous Acknowledgment Council. He is a member of the Cherokee Nation with ancestors in Oklahoma who walked the Trail of Tears and is part European.
Robert Phelps, Associate Professor of History at California State University, East Bay and Director of Cal State East Bay’s Concord campus. Specializing in California and American West history, Phelps also works in public history, advising many historical museums. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Save Mount Diablo and chairs its Education Committee. Dr. Phelps is a member and former vice chairman of the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indiansof California, part of southern California’s Kumeyaay Nation. In 2021, he was appointed by Governor Newsom to the California Truth and Healing Council, which explores the historical relationship between Native Americans and the State since 1850.
Building on Sacred Ground: Immigration and Refugee Rights in Today's World
Originally presented September 25, 2021.
How can our churches help welcome our Afghan allies and other refugees and asylum seekers coming to this country? The Episcopal Church has long been involved in this work through Episcopal Migration Ministries. But are you curious about what is happening locally in the Bay Area? Sign up for this program on Immigration and Refugee Rights in Today’s World to hear from those involved locally and learn how you individually or as a church can be involved in the work of welcome and creating a new life in this country.
Inspired by their participation in the Sacred Ground curriculum, members of the Church of the Resurrection, Pleasant Hill are hosting this forum as the first of four to address various subjects about race in America. The panelists for this presentation are Emily Arnold Fernandez, the executive director of Asylum Access, a local Bay Area non-profit that addresses refuge rights; Niloufar Khonsari, a co-director of Pangea Legal Services, a non-profit that addresses the rights of immigrants; and Harris Mojadedi of the Afghan Coalition, also a non-profit, which addresses immigration issues for Afghans in the Bay Area.
Beyond Sacred Ground: Housing Discrimination
Originally presented on November 3, 2021
How can Bay Area churches understand and confront housing discrimination in this area? This forum addresses the history of racial covenants, especially as they relate to housing in Pleasant Hill, CA, but with lessons for anywhere in the Bay Area. We also discuss factors contributing to modern-day housing discrimination and historic and current movements to repair the damage caused by bias in the real estate and financial industries. Inspired by their participation in the Sacred Ground curriculum, members of the Church of the Resurrection, Pleasant Hill are hosting their second of four forums addressing various subjects about race in America.
For this forum on housing, we are pleased to welcome the following panelists: Johnicon George, president of the Tri-City NAACP and CEO of Icon Connects, a staffing firm focused on helping disenfranchised African American communities hit hard by the pandemic; Bill Martinez, the principal of Martinez and Associates, a real estate valuation firm located in Vacaville, California; and The Rev. Natosha Reid Rice, minister for public life at All Saints Episcopal Church in Atlanta, Ga.
Previous Workshops
Miss a workshop? No worries! Many of our earlier workshops have been recorded and are available below.
Introduction to Sacred Ground
Sacred Ground is a 10-part, film-based dialogue series on race and faith that is part of Becoming Beloved Community, The Episcopal Church’s long-term commitment to racial healing, reconciliation, and justice in our personal lives, our ministries, and our society.
Black Voices, Truth Telling & Transformation
Presented the Thursday before Diocesan Convention by the Union of Black Episcopalians, this moving webinar is a heartfelt discussion of life as a person of color in the Bay Area.
It Ain’t Easy Being Native
This Pre-Convention Event was a discussion of Indigenous People, Christianity, and the Episcopal Church led by the Rev. Dr. Bradley S. Hauff, Missioner for Indigenous Ministries at the Episcopal Church (Oglala Sioux).
We were blessed to have had the renowned activist, educator, and theologian Ruby Sales lead three pre-Convention workshops. Click below for the readings she shared with participants, as well as a workbook she created for our diocese
Media Resources
The CEEP Network (Consortium of Endowed Episcopal Parishes) continues to create webinars around Racial Equity and Racial Reconciliation. These wide range of topics and panelists can be found here.
Stand Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) offers a podcast especially to help white Christians in working for racial justice called “The Word is Resistance.” They also offer webinars for everyone.
Moving to Action
Consider opportunities for action in the Bay Area to help empower our churches to get involved in the work of Racial Reconciliation.
SURJ (Showing up for Racial Justice) has several chapters in the Bay Area, and their mission is to help white people join in working for justice. They offer several online workshops (including a special emphasis on faith groups) and local actions which could be attended by church groups.