The Truth Will Set Us Free
Back before he became Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, Bishop Michael Curry had a phrase that he used frequently:
“I want the Episcopal Church in North Carolina to look like the people of North Carolina!”
His desire was for the church to become as diverse in race and class as the people were, to be a gathering of faithful people that was a reflection of all people who lived in our diocese. There was of course a reality that he didn’t quite name overtly: the Episcopal Church can hardly claim to be a church for all people if it is so overwhelmingly white, and continuing to put up invisible barriers to others who might otherwise seek a faithful community here.
As the wider Episcopal church has begun the hard – yet hopeful – work of racial reconciliation, we have discovered that that reconciliation must first be preceded by a reckoning. The stories we discover often show how the churches of our grandparents often raised great barriers, some hidden but some overt, to our church becoming more diverse. Indeed, stories come to the surface that tell us that it’s not just ancient history; sometimes, in our desire to quickly correct the sins of the past, we end up perpetuating the same power imbalances that keep us from truly becoming the Beloved Community.
Over the past several years, a team of Trinity members have been doing the work of Racial Inventory, a process which is commended by the national Episcopal Church to churches, dioceses, and cathedrals throughout our communion as a component part of the work of reconciliation. This work is ongoing, and will lead to further conversations that we hope will be both challenging and transformational.
This Sunday, September 24, we’ll hear from the Racial Inventory team, getting both an update on their work as well as an exploration of next steps. This is an early stage in the work of reconciliation, a kind of “just the facts” exercise that can ground our ongoing work in truth.
As we know well, the truth will set us free!
