Virginia Episcopalian Magazine Fall 2012 Issue | Page 10

A Journey from Repentance to Reconciliation
Emily Cherry
For several years now, the diocesan Committee on Race and
Reconciliation, formerly the Committee on Race Relations, has
been a source of growing energy. Now, thanks to a new name
and vision, some innovative programing and extensive work,
research and planning with an eye toward repentance and
reconciliation, the committee is making some exciting strides.

The transformation to Committee on Race and
Reconciliation came about as something of a slip-up, when
Bishop Johnston introduced Ellyn Crawford of St. George’s,
Arlington to a group as the “co-chair of the Committee on
Race and Reconciliation” instead of its original name.

“That, to me, was fascinating,” said Crawford, who
explained that Johnston’s original vision for the committee
in 2008 was “working not just within the context of black
and white relations, but the broader issue of justice and
dignity and respect for all God’s people.”

“‘Reconciliation’ carries with it profound associations and
implications,” said Johnston in a June 2012 letter to Crawford
authorizing the change of name to the Committee on Race
and Reconciliation. “I am confident that the committee will
play a large part in shepherding this imperative of the Gospel
throughout our diocesan life and ministry.”

The committee will certainly play a large part as that
ministry unfolds in the Diocese in February 2013, when the
presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, the Most Rev.
Katharine Jefferts Schori, will join members of the Diocese
at St. George’s, Fredericksburg in a ceremony celebrating
the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Emancipation

Photo: John Schwartz

Mildred Robinson and Elly Crawford host the “Meet Me in Galilee”
booth at the 77th General Convention in Indianapolis.

Proclamation. The service will also include a litany of
repentance. “We very much look forward to hosting such
an important celebration on the Saturday of President’s Day
weekend and the first Saturday in Lent,” said the Rev. Jim
Dannals, rector of St. George’s.

“We have done a lot of focusing on repenting,” said
the Rev. David Niemeyer, priest-in-charge of St. Mark’s,
Richmond and co-chair of the committee. “Now we feel like
Reconciliation continued on page 9

A History of Racism and Race: How You Can Help
JOhn Chilton
The Diocese of Virginia has submitted to General Convention
a preliminary report of its part in the history of slavery and
racism, “Meet Me in Galilee: Beginning the Journey from
Repentance to Reconciliation, A History of Racism and Race
in the Diocese of Virginia.”

In 2009, the General Convention renewed its 2006
request for dioceses to report on their role in the slave trade
in specific, and racism in general. The 2009 resolution called
for statements of progress by 2012, allowing six years for the
completion of reports. The Diocese’s Committee on Race and
Reconciliation had begun its work on the report before the
2009 convention. We submitted the Diocese’s report three
years ahead of schedule.

Given the place of the colony and state of Virginia, it is
no surprise that an unvarnished history makes for painful
reading. The purpose of the history, however, is to inform us
of our story regarding slavery and racism.

We include the good and the bad. Ultimately, our story
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Virginia Episcopalian / Fall 2012

is one of hope. The purpose is not to open old wounds, but
to heal wounds that have not yet healed, to play a role in
a larger process of repentance followed by reconciliation.
Repentance and reconciliation require self examination,
including an examination of a history.

There is m