Repairing the Breach: A Symposium on Reparations

The Episcopal Diocese of Washington is committed to bravely uncovering, understanding, reckoning with and acting to dismantle racism within ourselves, our faith communities, the diocese and our localities.

Bishop Mariann and members of the Diocesan Reparations Task Force invite you to attend Repairing the Breach: A Symposium on Reparations.

We will come together as a diocese to continue our shared work to reckon with our diocesan history of participation in anti-Black racism and learn more about the legacy of benefit we’ve received from that participation. This symposium will lay the groundwork for a resolution publicly acknowledging these harms to be presented and the 2023 Diocesan Convention.

The agenda will include:

• A call to action from Bishop Mariann
• A presentation on the diocese’s historical involvement with chattel slavery
• Lessons from reparations efforts outside the Diocese of Washington
• Testimonies from diocesan congregations undertaking the difficult work of investigating their own histories with anti-Black racism
• Insights from Washington area Black community leaders
• A keynote address from the Rev. Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas, Dean of Episcopal Divinity School at Union Theological Seminary and Canon Theologian at Washington National Cathedral
• Break-outs groups with role-playing conversations on reparations

Our journey toward repairing the breach will not be without its challenges. Yet our commitment to justice and equity requires that we walk this road of self-discovery, understanding, confession, repentance, and, ultimately, restitution for our institutional involvement with white supremacy.

You’ll leave the day motivated and inspired to further engage this liberating and life-giving gospel work in your own congregations.

Parking is available, and the Church is metro accessible via Union Station. Lunch is included and participation is free.

Register today using the link below under “website”!

Questions? Contact the Rev. Peter Jarrett-Schell, chair of the Diocesan Reparations Task Force