Seeking Justice, Telling Truth: Anti-racism at St. Philip’s

What does working toward racial justice look like?

Five parishioners from West Africa – 3 women and 2 men – sit in a semicircle in the parish hall, one woman holding a microphone, along with one white parishioner.
At a recent Truth-Telling Forum, parishioners from West Africa reflected on joys and challenges of joining St. Philip’s community.

As Episcopalians, we promise in our Baptismal Covenant to “strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being.” Working to fulfill that promise shapes how we learn, worship, serve our neighbors, and engage in our community – especially around issues of racial justice.

Earlier this year, the Diocese of North Carolina invited congregations to reflect on their racial justice work through a diocesan survey. At St. Philip’s, we found our racial justice work has taken many forms – from pilgrimages to Truth-Telling Forums, and from community partnerships to worship drawing on a wide range of voices and traditions.

Working toward racial justice is one way we live out our call to follow Jesus.

Here are a few of the ways St. Philip’s has sought to live into that commitment.

Learning

Standing inside a barn, a woman with glasses and a ponytail looks up as a man with a salt-and-pepper beard beside her points toward the ceiling. The barn rafters and another man are visible behind them.
On a pilgrimage to Historic Stagville, parishioners tour a historic barn built by enslaved African-Americans.

Learning has been an important part of St. Philip’s racial justice efforts. In recent years parishioners have participated in annual pilgrimages to Historic Stagville, attended Truth-Telling Forums exploring our history and community, and gathered for discussions on topics such as the Wilmington Coup of 1898.

Adult forums have also helped parishioners engage with local history and contemporary issues.

For instance, at one recent forum Rosita Stevens-Holsey, niece of Pauli Murray, visited St. Philip’s to speak about Murray’s life and work for racial and gender justice.

Action

St. Philip’s seeks to connect learning with action by supporting our community partners and participating in efforts to address the ongoing effects of racism.

At a Durham CAN meeting in a church full of people, eight St. Philip's parishioners have a discussion while sitting in church pews. The full church is visible behind them.
Parishioners participate in Durham CAN advocacy work on issues such as affordable housing access.

For instance, parishioners participate in Durham CAN’s work on issues such as housing access, continue longstanding partnerships with Urban Ministries of Durham, and support churches and medical work in Liberia.

Through our Racial Justice and Reconciliation Committee and other ministries, St. Philip’s also supports organizations including Durham CAN, the Episcopal Farmworker Ministry, the Latino Educational Achievement Partnership (LEAP), the Pauli Murray Center, the Stagville Memorial Project, and Mount Level Community Partnership for Racial Justice.

At The Trees, St. Philip’s welcomes weekly free-of-charge visits from LEAP, a Latino preschool program whose children and families use the property to explore nature and build confidence outdoors.

Worship

A wooden plaque on a tree trunk in the woods marks the fifth station of the cross. It reads, "Jesus is judged by Pilate: We remember that while we denounce unjust powers and systems, we cannot be blind to our own power to condemn."
Holy Week Stations of the Cross include reflections on contemporary suffering caused by racism.

Racial justice and reconciliation are also reflected in our worship life.

For example, St. Philip’s regularly incorporates traditional African American music into worship and annually observes Martin Luther King Jr. Day through special liturgies and celebrations.

At The Trees, Holy Week Stations of the Cross have invited prayerful reflection on contemporary suffering and violence, including violence rooted in racism and other forms of injustice.

Looking ahead

Parishioners sitting in the parish hall view a screening of "American Coup," a documentary about a racially motivated coup in Wilmington, NC, in 1898.
Parishioners view a screening of “American Coup,” a documentary about a racially motivated coup in Wilmington, NC, in 1898.

Working toward racial justice and reconciliation is an ongoing commitment. We remain grateful for the many parishioners, community partners, and ministry leaders who continue to help St. Philip’s learn, grow, and live more fully into our Baptismal Covenant.

In the coming years, St. Philip’s plans to continue our annual pilgrimages to Historic Stagville, host additional Truth-Telling Forums, deepen our participation in Durham CAN, and continue supporting community partners working toward racial justice and healing.

Get involved

Want to read our full diocesan survey response? Download it here:

St. Philip’s Anti-Racism Survey

Interested in getting involved in Racial Justice and Reconcilliation?

Contact Donna Hicks