Anti-Racism Covenant - Episcopal Diocese of San Diego

Sign the Anti-Racism Covenant- Click Here

Bishop Susan Brown Snook invites you to join her in signing an anti-racism covenant to work toward racial justice and reconciliation. This covenant was created by a group of bishops, including Bishop Susan, from across The Episcopal Church.

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“Those who say, “I love God,” and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen.”

-1 John 4:20

The sin of racism disrupts the harmony and oneness that God intends for humanity. Racism is dangerous, divisive, and damaging. Racism purports that some are deserving of dignity over others and disregards the image and likeness of God found in every human being. We are created in the image of God; therefore, to engage in racism of any form is to refuse to acknowledge the image of God in the other and the stranger. The fact that we were created in the image of God should remind us that each person is a living expression of God that must be respected, preserved, and never dishonored.

Throughout our history, courageous people of God have taken the risk of standing up and speaking out with the least and the lowest. God now challenges us to become courageous people who seek to create sacred communities of hope by dismantling the sin of racism. This work involves risking ourselves for the sake of God’s love, moving beyond ourselves in order to seek and serve Christ and one another.

We lament…

As people of faith, we acknowledge our sins and our failure to respect the dignity of every human being. We have, individually and corporately, fallen short of the glory of God, and now call to mind and name the aspects of our lament.

We lament the Church’s role in the subjugation, enslavement, and genocide of societies of indigenous peoples, including Native Americans and Pacific Islanders.
We lament the Church’s role in profiting from the selling, trading, and genocide of people of African descent and the lasting effects of the peculiar trade present with us today.
We lament the Church’s complicity-by-silence in the commoditization, dehumanization, and belittling of peoples brought to this country to toil in brutal labor, including Latinx people, Asians, Pacific Islanders, and other immigrant and undocumented populations.
We lament the Church’s complicity in the historical exclusion, internment, and denial of civil rights of Asians and Pacific Islanders.
We lament the Church’s complicity in failing to honor the language, culture, and civil rights of Latinx people, both American citizens and those from other countries.
We lament the places in which we have been spectators and participants in the public and private lynching of people African descent.
We lament the Church’s lack of moral courage to stand with and on the side of the poor, the marginalized, and the oppressed.
We lament the systems of white supremacy, white exceptionalism, and white privilege present in the Church that have condoned people –particularly people of African descent, –being viewed as less, inferior, or unworthy rather than as beloved children of God, made in the image of the Divine.
We lament the ways in which the stories of people of color have been diminished or erased from the histories of our churches, institutions, and communities of faith.
We lament the collusion of the Church with systems that directly and indirectly promote racism, oppression, segregation, and disenfranchisement.
We lament the willful ignorance of Christian leadership in promoting and advocating for systems of over-policing, the militarization of police, mass incarceration, school-to-prison pipelines, poverty, and violence.
We lament the resounding silence and the freezing fear that often infects the Church in matters of racial reconciliation and social justice.

We covenant…

As people of faith, we are called to “love the Lord our God with all our heart, and with all our soul and with all our mind and to love our neighbors as ourselves.” Recognizing the places in which the church and people of faith have fallen short of God’s love, particularly in the legacy of racism and white supremacy, we seek to amend our lives to more fully reflect God’s dream of Beloved Community.

We covenant to re-examine the history of our communities of faith and institutions to, in tangible ways, acknowledge racist legacies and to recognize, remember, and retell the stories of Native American, enslaved persons and other People of Color, whose labor contributed to white privilege.
We covenant to engage our communities of faith, staffs, colleagues and experts in critical discourse that propels us forward.
We covenant to devise and implement standards, policies, and programs that make our commitment to diversity and inclusion a visible reality.
We covenant to invest in local businesses that are owned and operated by people of color and underrepresented populations.
We covenant to listen to and to validate the stories, experiences, and feelings of people of color as companions along the journey, valuing those experiences as being sacred.
We covenant to adopt an intersectional approach in all aspects of our common life, remembering that all forms of oppression are connected.
We covenant to financially support the important work of Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
We covenant to work towards the dismantling of the school to prison pipeline and other systems of institutional oppression.
We covenant to stand up and speak out against everyday micro and macro acts of oppression or aggression.
We covenant to struggle and speak out against denial of civil liberties and voter suppression.
We covenant to educate ourselves, and share with others, the many places where our privilege blinds us from being compassionate to others.
We covenant to call out bigotry and hate speech in all aspects of our common life.
We covenant to gather with others, including faith leaders and decision makers, at all levels of the church, to ask the hard questions:
- Does the leadership of our institution reflect the diversity of those we serve?
- Are the many faces of the diverse body of Christ represented in decision-making processes?
- How are we inviting and forming leaders?
- Who is missing around the table?
- Whose untold story do we need to hear?
We covenant that in our corporate worship; and other activities of our communities to intentionally cultivate welcome, hospitality, and participation for people of all cultures, ethnicities and backgrounds, and to include their rich musical and liturgical offerings in worship.
We covenant to invite all members of our faith communities to reflect about and seek a better understanding of racism and privilege.
We covenant to preach about, and pray together for an end to racism and white supremacy, not to bring down people of European descent, but to lift all others up.
We covenant to join with local community organizations in working for racial justice.
We covenant to…(additional context specific acts may be added or included)

Bishop Susan Brown Snook

Canon Gwynn Lynch, Canon to the Ordinary

Canon Christian Gillette, Canon for Evangelism and Discipleship

Rev. Kirby Smith, Cheif Financial Officer EDSD

Chris Tumilty, Director of Communications EDSD

Alyson Terry

Rhiannon Howell, St. Margaret’s, Palm Desert – “You have my full support”

David Spencer, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Chapter, Lector Coordinator

The Rev. Dr. Alex Nagy

Gloriamarie Amalfitano

Paige Blair-Hubert, St. Peter’s Del Mar

Christopher Butler, St. Paul in the Desert, Palm Springs, Latino ministry & Vestry

Equilla Luke, Good Samaritan, Advocacy Committee, Diocesan Mediation Team

William Murray, St. Timothy’s, Licensed Evangelist in the Episcopal Church – “I support this anti-racist covenant.”

Hannah Wilder St Mark’s , Strategic planning committee for St Mark’s – “St Mark’s is facilitating two Sacred Ground study group with a total of 15 people. We started last month and will continue through the next seven months.”

The Rev. Martha O. Anderson, St. Peter’s in Del Mar, Convener of Sacred Ground

Robert Nelson St. Peter’s, Del Mar, Property Committee, Deacons – “I recognize that I am privileged by being a white male and pray that I may live as an anti-racist.”

Mark Cappetta

Susan Rigney, St. Margaret’s, EfM

Julie Carroll, Trinity Episcopal Church, Escondido, CA Worship Committee, Daughters of the King; Society of Companions of the Holy Cross – “I recommend reading “White Fragility” by Diangelo.”

Bishop Sandy Hampton, St. Dunstan’s, San Diego/Diocese of Olympia – “Perhaps the most important issue which has divided our nation (and Church) for over 400 years. ENOUGH.”

Stephen Florman, St. Timothy’s, Executive – CFO/Treasurer

Kathleen Ide, St.Marks, Christian Education for Children

Kent Branstetter, St Dunsans San Diego, Standing Committee

Anne Meservey, St. Thomas of Canterbury, Bishop’s Committee, Choir Member, Women’s Group – “It is crucial for us to sign this pledge and commitment of the anti-racism covenant to actively engage in uprooting and destroying racism and not permit it anywhere. Racial justice and reconciliation are integral to the mission of our church. We promise to love our neighbor as ourselves and must ensure social justice.”

Penny Bridges, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Hispanic-Latino Ministries, North American Cathedral Deans

The Rev Kathrine Wood St Margarets Palme Desert, Ministry of Compassion and Justice

The Rev. Christopher Craig-Jones, St Michaels By The Sea, Carlsbad

David Burgdorf St. Margaret’s, Palm Desert CA

Dale Bruso, Grace San Marcos, Police Violence Study Group

The Rev. Dr. Kathryn Baird, St. David’s

David Madsen, St. Alban’s El Cajon Facilitator for Interfaith Leaders of East County IFLEC

John Norman, St. Margaret’s

Rev. Thomas Wilson, St. Paul’s Cathedral

Canon Allisyn Thomas, St. Bartholomew’s Poway, The Advocacy Committee

Greg Tuttle, St. Dunstan’s – “Thank you for continuing to serve and support all of God’s children.”

Carol Worthing St. Paul Cathedral, Spiritual Formation, retired clergy worship team – “My thoughts and prayers are with this antiracism covenant on behalf of the EDSD!”

John Will, St Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral, Commission on Ministry

Patrick Grannan St Barnabas – Borrego Springs

Lauren Prust

Kathryn Reeves St. Margaret’s, Palm Desert, Pastoral Care & Vestry

Cindy Campos St Bartholomew’s Church – “I will work towards equality and justice in whatever way the church sees fit.”

Amy Lajiness, Good Samaritan Episcopal Church, Outreach & Vestry

Rev. Tom Morelli, Christ Church, Sacred Ground Council of Churches Coronado – “God Please Help me and us become stronger “Anti-Racists”’

Christopher Davidson, St. Margaret’s, Palm Desert, Vestry & Junior Warden – “Proud to be part of a community of faith that is committed to change.”

Verdery Kassebaum, Good Samaritan, Eucharistic Visitor, Choir, Bell Choir – “I need to learn how to be more sensitive to the rights of people who do not look like me.”

Ann Evans, All Souls’ Episcopal Church, Gouraud Music Fund , Participant in recording Morning Prayer, Sunday morning worship – “I am privileged to join in working toward seeing, respecting, treating and loving all people as the beloved children of God that they are.”

Susan Haynes, All Saints’, Vista Worship, Vestry

William Purves St. James by the Sea Episcopal Church – La Jolla Usher ministry, lector, intercessor, former vestry, former calling committee

Larry Salvadori, St. Bartholomew’s, Poway, Diocesan Nominating Committee (NomCom), Cursillo Secretariat, finance, property, maintenance, choir.

Joe Lopez, Saint John Indio, Vestry and Treasurer – “Thank you for this inspired covenant.”

Lynn Meurs, Trinity Episcopal, Escondido, Social Justice, Sunday School – “I hope for the day when we can see only a person’s heart, leaving everything else to fade as spirit around us.”

William Hammond, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Peace and Justice

Joy Wolf, St. David’s Church and Preschool, Fiance Committee, Clerk for the Vestry – “Lord help me to listen, learn, grow and share my faith respectfully with others.”

Singhild Baker St. Andrew’s, Encinitas – “I prayerfully commit to this covenant”

Vincent Walton, St. Thomas of Canterbury, Sacred Ground

Barnabas Hunt, The Society of St. Paul

Janine Schenone, Good Samaritan Episcopal Church, Advocacy Committee, Executive Council

Sharon Merrill, St Margaret’s Palm Desert, Compassion & Justice – “Thank you!”

Deann Rios, St. Andrew’s by-the-Sea Advocacy Committee – “I am so grateful to be part of a Church and denomination that is taking racism and racial justice seriously, working on education and advocacy to become increasingly anti-racist, and committed to building more equitable and just churches and communities.”

Mary Polly Kleinpaste, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Family, Youth, and Children

Mary Ann Ekman, St. Margaret’s Palm Desert CA, Living without Fear, Finance Committee

Suzanne Petersen, St. Margaret’s and St. Hugh’s – “Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. (All men and women)”

Jean Emery, St. Luke’s North Park

Duane Beach-Barrow, Church of St. Paul in The Desert, Palm Springs, Reopening Committee, Altar Guild and Lay Eucharistic Visitor

Canon Christine Spalding, All Souls’ in Point Loma, Parish Stewardship Committee, COM Diocesan Discerner, former COM member, Education for Ministry

Rev. Lorenzo Lebrija, TryTank Experimental Lab

Laura Lee Skillman, St. James by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, Outreach

Scott Johnson, St. Margaret’s

Polly Morelli, Christ Church CoronadoService Ministry; a Thrift Shop Manager

Vicki Lynn Kelley, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Outreach

The Rev. Dr. Brian D. Johnson, Saint John’s Episcopal Church, Indio

Kathleen Wood St. John’s, Fallbrook, Sr. Warden, Music Minister, Vestry, worship

Maryl Weightman, St. James-By-The-Sea, La Jolla, Daughters of the King, Altar Guild

June Vikander, St. Margaret’s, Palm Desert

The Rev Canon Joan Ford, St. Paul’s Cathedral San Diego CA, Pastoral Care

Carolyn Lief, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Simpler Living, outreach, diocesan Service and Justice Coalition

Bill Himelright

Aaron Riviers, Church of Saint Paul in the Desert, Latino Ministry & Social Justice

Cindy Shamel, St. Timothy’s, Rancho Penasquitos, Sacred Ground Planning Committee & Daughters of the King

Catherine Dowdle, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Chula Vista, CA

Connie Gach, St.Timothy’s in Rancho Penasquitos

Mark Hargreaves, St James by-the-Sea

Jill Sanford, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Stephen Ministry

Fred Thayer

Gary Arps, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Peace and Justice

Thérèse H. Carmona, St. Mark’s, Vestry Member

Richard Lief, St. Paul’s Cathedral, San Diego, Peace and Justice, Pastoral Care, Circles of Love Captain and caller, Sacred Ground Facilitator

Janice Larson, St Michael’s By-The-Sea, Pastoral Care

Babs Meairs, St. Timothy’s, San Diego Military Advocacy Committee & Daughters of the King

Alfred Dominico, St. Dunstan’s, Junior warden, Vestry

Meg Decker, Trinity, Escondido

Rev. Cn. Brooks Mason, St. Paul’s Cathedral

Nancy Peterson, St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, Vestry

The Rev Canon Wayne F. Sanders, St David’s Clairemont Interreligious Council of San Diego, VP Interreligious Council of San Diego County, Board of Directors of St.Paul’s Senior Center

Mary Lynn Coulson, St. Andrew’s by-the-Sea

Jackie Miley, Trinity Episcopal Church , Escondido, Vision Planning Committee, Trinity Vestry, Daughters of the King, President, Trinity Chapter

Jane Hodnik, St. Margaret’s, Palm Desert, CA Order of the Daughters of the King

Mary Gaines, Trinity, Escondido Vestry, Social Justice & Daughters of the King

Thérèse H. Carmona, St. Mark’s, City Heights Vestry Member Sacred Ground, Diocesan Service & Justice Coalition

The Rev. Brian Fidler, All Souls’, Point Loma Commission on Ministry, Sacred Ground facilitator, Thriving In Ministry mentor, Listening Hearts convener

Kathleen Burgess, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Director of Administrative Operations, Sacred Grounds and more…

Neil Malmquist All Souls’ Point Loma, Properties, Worship, Diocesan representative on St Paul’s chapter

Joan Waitt, St. Margarets Palm Desert, Ca

David Bolger, Episcopal Church of the Nativity, Scottsdale, AZ Stewardship Committee Co-Chair, Arts at Nativity Steering Committee

Susan Jester, St Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral, Revival 2021, EFM

Heather Lawrence, Good Samaritan Episcopal Church

Nancy Shugg, St Margaret’s

Keren Mondaca Diocesan Staff, Diocesan Staff

Lisa Schattman, Grace in San Marcos, Police Violence Study Group, Sunday School

Diana Kurr, St. Hugh of Lincoln, Idyllwild CA, Worship committee, Daughter of the King, member at large.

Susan Latimer, The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd Hemet, Planning Team for Bishop Curry Revival

Karla Lewis, St. Margaret’s, Palm Desert, EfM mentor

Karla Chavez, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

Martha Curatolo, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Virtual User, Peace and Justice, Circles of Love, StephenMinistry, Latino Ministry, Women Together. Chapter, Circle of Love, and PPWG

Salvador Arce Guerra, St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral. San Diego

Georgina Miller St. Andrew’s, Encinitas, Stewardship Committee, Faith in Action Ministry, Lead Acolyte, Welcome/Fellowship, Reopening Task Force

Kathleen Kelly, St. Margaret’s, Palm Desert

Jim Stiven, St. Andrew’s Encinitas, Faith in Action at St. Andrew’s, formerly President of the Standing Committee (EDSD)

The Vestry of Trinity Escondido Trinity, The whole vestry

Add your signature to the Anti-Racism Covenant Here

Firme el Pacto contra el racismo: haga clic aquí

Aquellos que dicen: «Yo amo a Dios», y al mismo tiempo odian a sus hermanos o hermanas, son mentirosos. Pues si alguno no ama a sus hermanos o hermanas, a quienes ve, tampoco puede amar a Dios, a quien no ve.

-1 Juan 4:20

El pecado del racismo impide la armonía y la unidad que Dios quiere para la humanidad. El racismo es peligroso, divisor y dañino. El racismo pretende que algunos merecen tener más dignidad sobre otros y no tiene en cuenta la imagen y semejanza de Dios que se encuentra en cada ser humano. Somos creados a imagen de Dios; por lo tanto, involucrarse en cualquier forma de racismo es negarse a reconocer la imagen de Dios en el otro y en el extraño. El hecho de que fuimos creados a imagen de Dios debería recordarnos que cada persona es una expresión viva de Dios que debe ser respetada, preservada y nunca deshonrada.

A lo largo de nuestra historia, los valientes del pueblo de Dios se han arriesgado a levantarse y hablar con los más pequeños y humildes. Dios ahora nos reta a convertirnos en personas valientes, que buscan crear comunidades sagradas de esperanza, desmantelando el pecado del racismo. Este trabajo implica arriesgarnos por el amor de Dios, ir más allá de nosotros mismos para buscar y servir a Cristo y a los demás.

Lamentamos…

Como personas de fe, reconocemos nuestros pecados y nuestra incapacidad de respetar la dignidad de cada ser humano. De manera individual y corporativa, nos hemos quedado cortos de la gloria de Dios, y ahora recordamos y nombramos los aspectos de nuestro lamento.

Lamentamos el papel de la Iglesia en la subyugación, la esclavitud y el genocidio de las sociedades de los pueblos indígenas, incluidos los nativos americanos y los isleños del Pacífico.
Lamentamos el papel de la Iglesia en sacar provecho de la venta, el comercio y el genocidio de las personas de descendencia africana y los efectos permanente del peculiar comercio presentes con nosotros hasta hoy.
Lamentamos la complicidad de la Iglesia por el silencio en la mercantilización, deshumanización y menosprecio de los pueblos traídos a este país para laborar duro en trabajos brutales, incluyendo los latinx, asiáticos, isleños del Pacífico y otras poblaciones inmigrantes e indocumentadas.
Lamentamos la complicidad de la Iglesia en la histórica exclusión, internamiento y negación de los derechos civiles de los asiáticos y los isleños del Pacífico.
Lamentamos la complicidad de la Iglesia al no respetar el idioma, la cultura y los derechos civiles del pueblo latinx, tanto para ciudadanos estadounidenses como también de otros países.
Lamentamos los lugares en los que hemos sido espectadores y participantes en el linchamiento público y privado de personas de ascendencia africana.
Lamentamos la falta de valor moral de la Iglesia para estar del lado de los pobres, los marginados y los oprimidos.
Lamentamos los sistemas de supremacía blanca, lo excepcional del blanco y el privilegio del blanco presentes en la Iglesia que han desconsiderado personas, en particular a las personas de ascendencia africana, para ser vistas como menos, inferiores o indignas en lugar de ser amados como hijos de Dios, hechos en la imagen de lo Divino.
Lamentamos las formas en que las historias de personas de color se han visto disminuidas o borradas de las historias de nuestras iglesias, instituciones y comunidades de fe.
Lamentamos la conspiración de la Iglesia con sistemas que promueven directa e indirectamente el racismo, la opresión, la segregación y la privatización de derechos.
Lamentamos la ceguera voluntaria del liderazgo cristiano en la promoción y defensa de los sistemas de vigilancia excesiva, la militarización de la policía, el encarcelamiento masivo, el sistema de escuela a prisión, la pobreza y la violencia.
Lamentamos el rotundo silencio y el miedo paralizante que a menudo infecta a la Iglesia en materia de reconciliación racial y justicia social.

Nos Comprometemos a…

Como personas de fe, estamos llamados a “amar al Señor nuestro Dios con todo nuestro corazón, y con toda nuestra alma y con toda nuestra mente, y amar a nuestro prójimo como a nosotros mismos”. Reconociendo los lugares en los que la iglesia y las personas de fe han faltado al amor de Dios, particularmente en el legado del racismo y la supremacía blanca, buscamos enmendar nuestras vidas para reflejar más plenamente el sueño de Dios de una Comunidad en Amor.

Nos comprometemos a reexaminar la historia de nuestras comunidades de fe e instituciones para que de manera tangible, reconozcamos los legados racistas y reconocer, recordar y volver a contar las historias de nativos americanos, personas esclavizadas y otras personas de color, cuyo trabajo contribuyó al privilegio blanco
Nos comprometemos a involucrar a nuestras comunidades de fe, personal, colegas y expertos en una discusión crítica que nos impulsa a seguir adelante.
Nos comprometemos a diseñar e implementar estándares, políticas y programas que hagan de nuestro compromiso con la diversidad y la inclusión, una realidad visible.
Nos comprometemos a invertir en negocios locales que son propiedad y están operados por personas de color y poblaciones poco representadas.
Nos comprometemos a escuchar y validar las historias, experiencias y sentimientos de las personas de color como compañeros a lo largo del viaje, valorando esas experiencias como sagradas.
Nos comprometemos a adoptar un acercamiento interactivo en todos los aspectos de nuestra vida común, recordando que todas las formas de opresión están conectadas.
Nos comprometemos a apoyar financieramente el importante trabajo de los colegios y universidades históricamente negros.
Nos comprometemos a trabajar para el desmantelamiento del sistema de la escuela a la prisión y otros métodos de opresión institucional.
Nos comprometemos a levantarnos y hablar en contra de los pequeños y grandes actos cotidianos de opresión o agresión.
Nos comprometemos a luchar y hablar en contra de la negación de las libertades civiles y la supresión de los votantes.
Nos comprometemos a educarnos y compartir con los demás, los muchos lugares en donde nuestro privilegio nos ciega para ser compasivos con los demás.
Nos comprometemos a alzarnos en contra del fanatismo y el discurso del odio en todos los aspectos de nuestra vida común.
Nos comprometemos a reunirnos con otros, incluyendo líderes religiosos y quienes toman decisiones en todos los niveles de la iglesia, para hacer las preguntas difíciles:
- ¿El liderazgo de nuestra institución refleja la diversidad de aquellos a quienes servimos?
- ¿Las diversas caras del cuerpo de Cristo están representadas en los procesos de toma de decisiones?
- ¿Cómo estamos invitando y formando líderes?
- ¿Quién falta alrededor de la mesa?
- ¿Qué historia no contada necesitamos escuchar?

Nos comprometemos a cultivar intencionalmente en nuestra adoración corporativa y en otras actividades de nuestras comunidades, la bienvenida, la hospitalidad y la participación de personas de todas las culturas, etnias y orígenes, incluyendo sus ricas ofrendas litúrgicas y musicales en la adoración.
Nos comprometemos a invitar a todos los miembros de nuestras comunidades religiosas a reflexionar y buscar una mejor comprensión del racismo y del privilegio.
Nos comprometemos a predicar y rezar juntos por el fin del racismo y la supremacía blanca, no para derribar a las personas de ascendencia europea, sino para levantar a todos los demás.
Nos comprometemos a unirnos con organizaciones comunitarias locales para trabajar por la justicia racial.
Nos comprometemos a … (se pueden agregar o incluir actos específicos relacionados al contexto)