Anti-Racism

Part of a Comprehensive Stewardship Vision

In November 2020, the Vestry formally commissioned the St. Paul’s Anti-Racism Commission (ARC) to lead the parish into living the Anti-Racism Covenant adopted at Diocesan Convention 2020. This covenant, which we first prayed together during Pentecost 2021, covers a variety of laments and covenants that our Diocese and parish are committed to working out faithfully in our own contexts.

Flowing out of the Anti-Racism Covenant is our land acknowledgement:

St Paul’s acknowledges that we gather on the traditional land of the Coast Salish Peoples, especially the Duwamish. We honor with gratitude the land itself and the Duwamish People, and all their descendants.

Since that time, St. Paul’s has continued to include anti-racism efforts as part of our stewardship practice: We steward all of the blessings we receive from God, which of course includes our shared financial wealth as a parish that funds many ministries; but we are also called to steward our relationships with all people, particularly those who have been harmed by white supremacy and patriarchy. We are aware that St. Paul’s historically (and into the present day) is predominantly a “white church,” and as we repent of the sin of our participation in the tragic historical legacy of white supremacy, we strive to do better, and respond faithfully to God’s command that we work and live in solidarity and authentic alliance with all people.

Our stewardship efforts also include our work on creation care, helping our members measure and reduce their footprint on the earth. We hope to further develop this stewardship work in the next few years, as we revitalize the parish in the wake of the pandemic.