In the wake of tragic deaths, violence, and ongoing struggles for equality in our nation, the Holy Cross Vestry resolves that we cannot remain silent or stand idle in Jesus' ministry of reconciliation. Certainly, every parish, ministry, and individual experiences this vocation differently, but working in our various ways to end racism and injustice is part of our Christian vocation.
Over the past months, the Vestry has discussed how we ought to respond—even and especially in transition and pandemic—to this moment, to parishioners and neighbors looking to Holy Cross for our response. Click on the link below to read the statement that was adopted.
Vestry Statement
on Racial Justice
Members of the Presiding Bishop’s staff have curated a list of resources for racial justice and reconciliation, which we share here along with other resources in the hope of providing our community with a way to meaningfully respond to the hurt they are seeing in the world. This is by no means exhaustive, but should help you to move in the right direction.
The Episcopal Church's Becoming Beloved Community represents not so much a set of programs as a journey, a set of interrelated commitments around which Episcopalians may organize our many efforts to respond to racial injustice and grow a community of reconcilers, justice-makers, and healers.
Becoming Beloved Community
In this time of national upheaval, outrage, and fear, The Episcopal Church’s Department of Reconciliation, Justice and Creation Care and the Office of Government Relations have assembled resources to assist individuals, congregations and communities seeking to LEARN, PRAY and ACT.
Responding to Racist Violence
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's Word to the Church
When the Cameras are Gone, We Will Still Be Here
Resources for Families
Illustrated Ministry, which creates accessible faith-based resources for the church and home, offers this list of resources for white parents to raise anti-racist children.
Resources for Families
The History of Anti-Black Violence and Inequality
Smithsonian Magazine offers 158 Resources to Understand Racism in America, a compilation of articles, videos, podcasts, and websites that address anti-black violence and inequality.
Click here.
Websites & Other Online Resources
Southern Poverty Law Center
Diocese of Atlanta
Engaging and convenient online learning from Episcopal experts on liturgy, evangelism, welcome, discipleship, stewardship and other important topics.

National Public Radio Podcast Series
Province I Resources
The Episcopal Church and the Diocese of Mississippi hosted a 90-minute forum.
Filmmaker Katrina Browne discovers that her New England ancestors were the largest slave-trading family in U.S. history. She and nine cousins retrace the Triangle Trade and gain powerful new perspectives on the black/white divide.
Kids and Race
Especially recommended: “Spirituality and Racial Justice” with Presiding Bishop Michael Curry
Videos and readings from Trinity Institute 2016. Especially recommended: the Rev. Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas’ video presentation.
Southern Poverty Law Center
St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, Creve-Coeur, Missouri
Created by a subcommittee of the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music
These are print resources compiled by theological educators for use in a variety of faith community settings.
Faith in action for social justice
By: Gail C. Christopher
Anglican Theological Review article by The Rev. Gayle Fisher-Stewart
TransEpiscopal is a group of transgender and allied Episcopalians dedicated to fostering the full embrace of trans and nonbinary people, and our loved ones within The Episcopal Church and to inspiring faith-based advocacy for trans justice in the wider world. We are an informal group and though many of us are affiliated with The Episcopal Church we have no official relationship to The Episcopal Church.
Seattle Times project on race and racism. Features video interviews with numerous Seattle residents, including the Rt. Rev. Greg Rickel
The Diocese of Virginia
Books & Articles
America's Original Sin: Racism, White Privilege, and the Bridge to a New America
Jim Wallis - 2016
Americanah
Ngozi Adichie – 2014
Blood Cries Out from the Ground: Reflections from Ferguson
Anglican Theological Review article by The Rt. Rev. Wayne Smith
Bloody July
An article written by The Rev. Deacon Charles Allen Wynder, Jr., is the Episcopal Church’s missioner for social justice and advocacy engagement.
Constructing Solidarity for a Liberative Ethic: Anti-Racism, Action, and Justice
Tammerie Day
Dear White Christians: For Those Still Longing for Racial Reconciliation
Jennifer Harvey - 2014
Everyday Bias: Identifying and Navigating Unconscious Judgments in Our Daily Lives
Howard J. Ross
Faces At The Bottom Of The Well: The Permanence Of Racism
Derrick Bell - 1993
For Some Christians Talking about Race Is Tough and Long Overdue
Online article from the Washington Post, July 19, 2016
It’s Never Too Soon to Talk about Race in Your Church
Online article and audio interview with Jemar Tisby
Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption
Bryan Stevenson
Living into God’s Dream: Dismantling Racism in America
Catherine Meeks
Punished: Policing the Lives of Black and Latino Boys
Victor Rios - 2011
Race Matters
Cornel West - 1994
Race: A Theological Account
J. Kameron Carter
Racing to Justice: Transforming Our Conceptions of Self and Other to Build an Inclusive Society
John A. Powell - 2015
Racism without Racists: Color-Blind Racism and the Persistence of Racial Inequality in America
Eduardo Bonilla-Silva
Reconciling All Things: A Christian Vision for Justice, Peace and Healing
Emmanuel Katongole and Chris Rice
To Serve and Protect: The Police, Race, and The Episcopal Church in the Black Lives Matter Era
Special project by Trinity Wall Street, published in The Living Church
Stand Your Ground: Black Bodies and the Justice of God
Kelly Brown Douglas - 2015
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness
Michelle Alexander
The Time for Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation Is Now
Gail C. Christopher
Understanding White Privilege: Creating Pathways to Authentic Relationships Across Race
Frances E. Kendall
What's Faith Got to Do with It?: Black Bodies/Christian Souls
Kelly Brown Douglas
Whistling Vivaldi: How Stereotypes Affect Us and What We Can Do
Claude M. Steele - 2011
White Trash: The 400-Year Untold History of Class in America
Nancy Isenberg - 2016
Witnessing Whiteness: The Need to Talk About Race and How to Do It
Shelly Tochluk