Letter from Bishop Ken to DRM Clergy, Aspirants and Ordinands, and Council Members
The deaths of Rayshard Brooks, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and others in recent weeks, along with the protests that their deaths have generated, remind us yet again that the sin of racism is still pervasive in our society. These deaths highlight what countless studies demonstrate: the disparities which exist between people of color and whites in our country are not a result of chance. These disparities, especially the disparities in justice, are an effect of sin.
Throughout her history, the church’s response to sin, both individual and cultural, is always the proclamation of the Gospel in word and deed. God is reconciling humanity to himself through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He is making all things new. And we are agents of God’s reconciliation and regeneration, through the power of the Holy Spirit, in our churches, neighborhoods, and cities. We must not remain silent on these matters, but many of us may not know how to best engage the issue of racial reconciliation—or even where to start.
To this end, I have established a Racial Reconciliation Initiative to help inform and guide our ongoing conversations and action around race and reconciliation. The initiative’s vision is to provide guidance and resources for congregations to address issues related to racism; tools for equipping you, our clergy, and our ordinands for ministry; and a focused, sustained effort to promote diversity in our diocese. While addressing the social aspects of racism, our framework will always be guided by the Gospel and God’s redemptive work in our world.
The sin of racism will not disappear when it fades from the news cycle. It requires sustained, thoughtful responses from us and from our communities. I’ve asked Chris Stroup and Donald Nwankwo to lead this initiative.
Donald is rector of The Light of Christ Anglican Church in Denver. Prior to his call to TLC, he served in active ministry for much of his life within church and parachurch contexts in Nigeria and the United States. Chris is minister of adult discipleship at Holy Trinity Anglican Church and director of strategic initiatives at Joy to the World Foundation in Colorado Springs. Prior to coming to Colorado, Chris was assistant research professor of New Testament at Boston College where his research focused on race and ethnicity in the early church, and he and his wife, Amy, ran a residential community for international students.
There will be more to come from the team in the weeks and months ahead, but in the meantime, they welcome questions, feedback, ideas, and leads. For example, if there are questions or challenges emerging within your church or local community as you listen and observe, which you think are worth considering, please do not hesitate to send them to the committee at reconciliation@rockymountainanglican.org.
This team already has developed some liturgical resources which will be available on the Diocese website – Racial Reconcilition Initiative Page. They will also explore how our diocese can interact and become part of ACNA initiatives like the Antioch Clergy Initiative.
This prayer, taken out of the BCP, is so poignant in this season:
O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Grace and Peace,
+Ken
The Rt. Rev. Ken Ross