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

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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!

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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?

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