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The Antiracism Commission of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago (ARC) is dedicated to overcoming racism through the pursuit of antiracist policies, practices and procedures in the Diocese of Chicago. 

The work of the commission is rooted in part in the diocese’s study of the legacy of slavery in its history that was presented to diocesan convention in 2013.

The most visible aspect of its ministry are programs and trainings that it either conducts or endorses.

Visit the Training and Workshops page for information including discount codes for trainings that the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago subsidizes for clergy and lay leaders.

Resolution F-185: Commitment to Antiracism Work in Congregations

Resolution F-185 calls on all congregations in the diocese to take specific steps to overcome racism and build the antiracist identity of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago in fulfillment of our Baptismal covenant to seek and serve Christ in all persons, strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being. 

F-185 has four main components. Each congregation is asked to:

  • Develop an antiracism program
  • Form a team to execute the antiracism program
  • Allocate funds to support the antiracism program
  • Deliver a report from the antiracism team at the congregation’s 2024 annual meeting and provide a copy to the bishop.

For accountability and collaboration, Resolution F-185 calls on congregations to submit a report at their annual meeting and provide a copy to the bishop. The Antiracism Commission has created a Google form where the template can be completed online. Congregations may also submit a report in their own chosen format to summarize the work of the past year to implement Resolution F-185, which can be uploaded in the same form.

The commission realizes that most congregations have already completed their 2024 Annual Meeting. For 2024, congregations are asked to submit a report that has been shared with their vestry by April 30, 2024. For 2025, congregations are asked to please work to submit the report at your congregation’s annual meeting and provide a copy to the bishop.

Examples and Resources for Resolution F-185

The video below from the Antiracism team at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Chicago provides helpful ideas on implementing Convention Resolution F-185. The video is embedded below, you can also read their ideas linked here as well as review the slides from the webinar.

 


Task Force on the Legacy of Slavery

At the 176th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Chicago in November 2013, the Task Force on the Legacy of Slavery presented its report. Download the executive summary and the full report:

Executive Summary in English | Executive Summary in Spanish

Full Report from the Task Force published May 2017

 

During the General Convention of the Episcopal Church in 1988 several resolutions were adopted for action by the various dioceses to address the sin of racism. The Diocese of Chicago responded by affirming the General Convention resolution in 1989. Subsequent actions by the Diocese of Chicago include the Bishop’s Advisory Commission to End Racism (BACTER) in 1993, the Illinois Lutheran Episcopal Anti-Racism Project (ILEAP) in 1999 which became the Anti-Racism Commission. The Task Force on the Legacy of Slavery is the most recent effort to address racism.

Download Resolution F-172 from the 172nd Annual Convention of the Diocese of Chicago enabling the Task Force.

Antiracism Commission Members

Ida Butler, co-chair – St. Philip’s, Palatine, 847.271.2165
Newland Smith, co-chair – St. David’s Glenview, 847.530.3818
Lucas Sweitzer, Antiracism Commission Communications & Events Specialist

The Rev. Carolyn Bavaro – St. Martin’s, Chicago
The Rev. Miguel Briones – St. Mark’s, Glen Ellyn
The Rev. Sandra Castillo – Sta. Teresa, Chicago
Arlicia Corley – St. Martin’s, Chicago
The Rev. Gary Cox – Sta. Teresa, Chicago
Phala Daniel Diggs, treasurer – St. Thomas, Chicago
The Rev. Larry Green – Holy Comforter, Kenilworth
Marvin Hill – St. Philip’s, Palatine
Ellen Janiec – St. Martin’s, Chicago
Ed Manning – St. Charles
Kathleen Murphy – St. Luke’s, Evanston
Crystal Plummer – Bishop’s Staff
Robert Purcell – St. Philip’s, Palatine
Rory Smith – St. Thomas, Chicago
Laura Singer – St. John’s, Chicago
The Rev. James Stanley – Calvary, Lombard
Donna Williams, secretary – St. Benedict, Bolingbrook
The Rev. Barbara Wilson – retired
Karen Ziech – Grace, New Lenox