Nurture and Challenge Your Spirit
a member of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts
St. John's initiative to understand racism
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
John 13:34
Saint John’s Mission Statement on Racism
Our mission in Christ at Saint John’s is to nurture and equip members for spiritual growth and active participation in ministries of compassion, justice, and peace in the church and beyond.
In line with the resolutions passed by the Diocesan Convention and endorsed by our bishops relative to racial justice, we commit to advocating for equity and justice for historically marginalized, disenfranchised, and oppressed peoples in our community. We continue to work for the development of a community that recognizes the inherent worth of all individuals, raising awareness through education and leadership development. Through these measures we fulfill the Gospel’s call to be active participants in God’s kingdom on earth.
We want to raise the awareness of Saint John’s community by focusing on specific topics regarding inequality that affect all of us, either consciously or unconsciously. Michelle Obama, former first lady and author, wrote, “Race and racism is a reality that so many of us grow up learning to just deal with. But if we ever hope to move past it, it can’t just be on people of color to deal with it. It is up to all of us – Black, white, everyone – no matter how well-meaning we think we might be, to do the honest, uncomfortable work of rooting it out.”
If you're in the neighborhood and you'd like to learn more, stop by St. John's. We have two shelves of books about racism in the Thompson Room library.