“Almighty God, who created us in your own image: Grant us grace fearlessly to contend against evil and to make no peace with oppression; and, that we may reverently use our freedom, help us to employ it in the maintenance of justice in our communities and among the nations, to the glory of your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.”   —Book of Common Prayer, p. 260

Holy Cross has long held, “Whoever you are, and wherever you are on your journey of faith, you are welcome here just as you are to receive the blessings of God so freely given of new and unending life in Christ.” Unfortunately, racism—personal, institutional, and systemic—continues to permeate every corner of our society. Hate and fear weigh upon us and our community. God calls us to make our avowed welcome real and apparent, to strive for justice and peace among all people and to respect the dignity of every human being.

Jesus Christ calls us out of silence, blindness and complicity, and into solidarity, understanding, and reconciliation.  The Episcopal Church of the Holy Cross in Dunn Loring, joins the Episcopal Church and the Diocese of Virginia in recommitting to the work of living as a Beloved Community for all. In this place and in this moment that requires us to:

• Affirm that Black lives matter. Statements to this effect and symbols of inclusion will mark our grounds and communications as visible signs that everyone is welcome at Holy Cross.
• Condemn White supremacy. As forces of evil in our world continue to actively seek to silence, oppress and sometimes erase people of color from our communities, Holy Cross will stand up and speak out against these forces through our prayers, services and formation activities.
• Seek greater understanding of the dynamics of racism, social injustice, and forces working against universal dignity. We will seek out and offer to the parish and community Christian formation to help us understand and confront racism and prejudice.
• Strive for racial healing, social justice, unity, and peace in our relationships, church, community, nation, and the world.  We commit to making inclusion, acceptance, and reconciliation priorities in all of our ministries, formation, and work.

As Presiding Bishop Michael Curry has declared, “There is a God who will not rest, and we must not rest, until justice rolls down like a mighty stream, until every man, woman, and child, no matter who they are, every human being is treated as a child of God, and is seen in the eyes of the law, in the eyes of the state, and in our eyes, as someone made in the image and likeness of God.”

Lane Abernathy, Senior Warden
John Hoskins, Junior Warden
Tom Brooke
Doug Cheeseman

Rex Hayes
Susan Hurt
Sarah Kackar
Yuri Kerrins

Phil Long
Claudia Tielking
Eli Valentin

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Check out our Social Justice Resources page for recommendations from the Episcopal church and other sources on books, videos, and websites that address issues of social justice and offer ways to take action.