Virginia Episcopalian Magazine Winter 2012 Issue | Page 17

TELLING OUR STORIES
Our roles in racism
JOHN CHILTON
The General Convention of 2009 passed
a resolution requiring each diocese to
document its role in racism, particularly
with respect to the institution of
slavery, the ending of slavery and
the continuing disparities between
blacks and whites in the United States.
What role did Episcopalians play in the
maintenance of slavery and its end,
racism and its perpetuation? At what
points did we resist, and what are
we doing today to combat racism in
our society, our own institutions and
ourselves?

The resolution was a reiteration
and strengthening of a similar
resolution passed three years before.
The 2009 resolution sets milestones
for reporting to the 2012 and 2015
General Conventions.

Progress has been made in
documenting our history, but we need
your help. What shows up in histories
and can be uncovered by research will
likely miss many important stories that
belong in the collective memory we
want to build and provide to those who
come after us.

Let us know your ancestor’s story,
your parish’s story, whether from the
16th century or today or in between.
Share the hard-to-tell stories, and the
good stories. It doesn’t have to be a
written story – give us the leads and we
will track them down.

The story of the Diocese cannot be
complete without your story.

Contact the Committee on Race
Relations through the diocesan web site
(thediocese.net/CommitteesCommissions). t

BOUND FOR HAITI: COME ALONG!
Two years after the devastating
earthquake near Port-au-Prince, Virginia
partnerships with Haiti continue to
grow and thrive. The Diocese has plans
for two 2012 trips to Haiti underway.
YOUNG ADULT TRIP

Young adults from across the
Diocese of Virginia will travel to the
Diocese of Haiti March 30-April 6
to build on a growing relationship
between the two dioceses. This trip
follows a February 2011 trip, when
young adults went to Haiti to form a
partnership with the youth and young
adults of St. Basil le Grand Church in
the city of Gonaives. This year’s trip will
continue to build on that partnership,
giving participants a chance to grow
relationships, learn about the culture
of Haiti and to support projects for
the community of St. Basil le Grand,
including an English-speaking workshop
and three classrooms for the school.

This trip is open to young
adults from across the Diocese. Visit
thediocese.net/Ministries/Mission/
Haiti/YoungAdult/ for info.

Members of the team from Virginia gather with young adults and
students in Gonaives, Haiti during the February 2011 young adult
mission trip.

A MEDICAL MISSION

Doctors, nurses and physician
assistants of various specialties are
needed for this medical mission that will
also travel to Gonaives, as well as the
rural village of Bayonnais, May 5-12. One
or two non-medical missionaries are also
needed to help staff the pharmacy and
support the work of the medical team.

Approximate cost of this mission
will be $1,700, which includes airfare,
lodging, most meals, tours of Port-auPrince and ground transportation. A
deposit of $500 is due by January 31.
Contact Kent Duffey at kentduffey@
doers.org if you are interested in being
a part of this new Virginia mission. t

Winter 2012 / VIRGINIA EPISCOPALIAN

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