Becoming an Inclusive Beloved Community
Mission
The Beloved Community Commission of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church puts into action our Baptismal Covenant “to seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbors as ourselves, and to strive for justice and peace among all people, respecting the dignity of every human being.” To this end, we oppose racism and bigotry in all forms. Through education and self-reflection, we work to raise awareness of the sin of racism. We ally ourselves with others in the wider community to combat racism, and to honor and grow a rich and varied diversity within our parish.
The Commission prioritizes these goals to honor our Church’s commitment to follow the Way of Love:
- Create opportunities for education, dialogue and fellowship to honor the sanctity of all persons
- Confront these realities in ourselves, commit ourselves to the inner work of transformation, and offer opportunities for others to do the same
- Extend ourselves to actively confront racism in our immediate and larger communities
- Participate in the national initiative for the liberation of our Church from any present complicity with oppressive systems
- Work toward building a more just and equitable community both within and outside the Church
News and Events
Becoming an Inclusive "Beloved Community" Antiracism Initiative
Why form a Beloved Community Commission?
The Christian mandate is the directive we received from Jesus to “love one another.” In our Baptismal Covenant we promise “to seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbors as ourselves” and “strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being.” To this end, we strive to re-examine our relationship to the body politic, remembering that our Christian responsibility to the creation of a just and fair society is work we are called to do by our Lord. Public policy, the economy, the environment, and equal access to participation in this endangered democracy cannot be compartmentalized away from the authentic Christian message.
Where do we begin?
We start by being clear about our own beliefs. What is our tradition truly saying to us? We must move toward knowing and speaking the truth to each other about what we say we believe and how our beloved church has been so often in violation of that.
What will the Commission do?
As Christians, we are called to speak and live in a way that refutes the culture of materialism, untruth, self-centeredness, greed, White supremacy, and domination. We must ask ourselves how we can live out change and help create change that contradicts the old mindset. We start with reading, awareness, reflection, open dialogue, and action.
Who leads the Beloved Community Commission?
Current Co-Chairs are May Toms and David Magellan Horth
Group Leaders: Dr Linda Brown (Awareness and Education); Kim Bunce and Bruce Bunce (Community Alliance Committee)
If you are interested in becoming a member of this commission, please contact any of the chairs or email the parish administrator at .
Please click here to read a message from the Beloved Community Task Force.
