St. Columba’s Antiracism Task Force | St. Columba's Episcopal Church

Dear Fellow Parishioners,

As the Anti-Racist Task Force begins its work, we want to share with you what we know at this point and to invite your participation as we move forward.

Ledlie and the Vestry have defined our mission in the attached charter, which you can find here. We encourage you to read or watch Ledlie’s sermon regarding his vision for St. Columba’s as a church that lives God’s love by being anti-racist.

The Task Force will be meeting twice per month for the foreseeable future. Between now the Summer, our work will be guided in large part by the consultants retained by the Vestry, Lorraine Gordon and Mark Ewert. Those of you attended the Zoom congregational meetings about the Task Force will have met them.

Please be patient with us in these early months. The members of the Task Force need to learn what the consultants have to teach us, develop a trusting working relationship among ourselves (we have signed on for two years), and gather information from outside the parish from those who have already embarked on this work and have useful experience. Then we expect to turn to deeper conversation with you and the various ministries of the Church.

Do not hesitate, however, to contact any of us with your thoughts and questions. We expect soon to be asking you to complete a survey (with some open-ended questions) that will help us better understand our challenges and opportunities.

We are excited to begin this journey of living God's love; we are dedicated to the goal of moving St Columba's towards becoming an antiracist church; and we are committed to ensuring that this journey becomes a permanent part of who we are as a parish. This is hard work, but we believe it is the work of the Holy Spirit. We welcome your prayers.

Kesha Evans, co-chair

Lane Heard, co-chair

Laura Akowuah | Peter Lynch | Lauren Counts | Brian Matthews | Katharine Huffman | Judy Morrison

Bill Jensen | Jeremiah Williams | Patty Jensen

Cami Caudill, Missioner for Community Engagement

Abigail Gorman, Senior Warden, ex officio

Ledlie Laughlin, Rector, ex officio

Share this page: St. Columba’s Antiracism Task Force

It is my great joy to welcome you! Your presence here is a gift.

St. Columba’s is a lively, inclusive community of faith engaged in many ministries. We’re glad you’ve found us and look forward to welcoming you and learning more about you!

Whether you are new to the area or just to St. Columba’s, whether you are familiar with the Episcopal Church or have never attended church before, we know it can be a challenge to make your way into a new faith community. Answers to all your questions are just a click away.

We’re glad you’re here. St. Columba’s is a church on a mission to Live God’s Love. While our building is closed, our parish community is alive and well connected online. Walk with us during these uncertain times as we encourage spiritual curiosity, celebrate children and youth, and embrace the world in the spirit of God’s justice and love. We'd love to connect with you via phone and/or email.

The opposite of faith is not doubt, but certainty. ~ Anne Lamott

Joining a church doesn’t mean you don’t have big questions or doubts. Deciding to be part of a loving community of faith means you’re open to exploring and wrestling with those big questions and doubts. Most people here did not grow up in The Episcopal Church. Some have never been a member of any church. Many have a background in a different church or faith tradition. At St. Columba’s, there will be many opportunities to learn, ask questions, and get to know other pilgrims along the way. Our deepest hope is that everyone who steps through our doors knows they belong here.

While our building is closed, our parish community is alive and well connected online. Walk with us during these uncertain times as we encourage spiritual curiosity, celebrate children and youth, and embrace the world in the spirit of God’s justice and love. How can we serve you today?

Stay in the Loop! Subscribe to our eNews and find out what's happening at St. Columba's.
Check out #ColumbaDailyBread... Daily reflections from St. Columba's clergy and staff.

Let's Stay in Touch!

A pledge is a promise - a promise to give a certain amount over the course of the following year. We don’t expect you to fulfill your pledge in one lump gift. Many find they can give more when pledging and then giving incrementally over the course of the year.

Pledging before the start of each calendar year is critical for clergy and staff to develop an annual budget and plan to serve you and our wider community.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Give? God asks us to share our time, talent and treasure. A life of generosity is at the root of Christianity. The Bible encourages the tithe – or 10% of your annual income – and we encourage you to think about what a meaningful gift would be for you.

When you give to St. Columba’s you help fund our ministry in the community, our worship, and the staff that supports our community as we strive to Live God’s Love.

Our mission is funded by you – St. Columbans and other supporters.

St. Columba’s is grateful for your generosity. We accepts gifts in the form of cash, checks, appreciated stocks, Charitable IRA Rollovers, Donor Advised Gifts, and matching gifts. If you would like to include us in your end-of-life charitable gift plans, we accept bequests, life income gifts, and gifts of special assets (real estate, closely held stock, life insurance).

Want to learn more?

Giving Instructions and FAQ

To visit our member portal for online giving, recurring gifts, the member directory, events and registrations, or to create a new member log-in, click the button below.

The Iona Society is an honorary society of parishioners through the decades who have chosen to support the life and work of St. Columba’s Episcopal Church through charitable bequests, life income gifts, trusts, and other planned giving arrangements. St. Columba’s has thrived due the generosity of many hundreds of friends over the past century. The preservation of its buildings, its ministry to those within and outside our walls and the success of its programs all depend on such continuing support. Members of the Iona Society play a crucial role in providing for the church’s future through their gifts.