At the 2022 Diocesan Convention, we commissioned a Task Force on Black Ministries to:
1. Examine issues such as racism and its impact on the vitality of Black churches in the Diocese of Washington.
2. Identify strategies needed specifically to ensure vitality of Black churches in the Diocese of Washington.
3. Identify specific resources needed to make these strategies successful.
Members were selected through an application process and comprised primarily of folk from historically Black churches, and predominantly Black congregations and also included a representative from the Union of Black Episcopalians. The Rev. Ricardo Sheppard, Rector of the church of the Atonement in DC, served as chair. The work was intense and more than we could accomplish in the few months we had to work since the resolution called for a report to the Diocesan Council by September 1st. The report can be found here with several recommendations, one of which is the formation of a permanent committee for Black Ministries since the issues related to the vitality of Black Churches need more time to be examined and addressed.
The Rev. Dr. Anne-Marie Jeffery
Canon for Congregational Vitality
