4201 Albemarle St., NW, Washington, DC 20016  ·   202.363.4119  ·       GIVE/ PLEDGE

Give
St. Columba's Episcopal Church
  • Welcome
  • Discover
    • New Here?
    • What We Believe
    • Life Events
    • Parish Events
    • Clergy & Staff
    • Vestry & Finance
    • Ministry Directory
  • Worship
    • Wee Worship
    • Sunday & Weekdays
    • Music
    • Sermons
    • Life Events
    • Prayer & Meditation
  • Inquire & Learn
    • Adult Formation
    • Youth
    • Children
    • Forums
    • Digital Formation Series
    • Podcasts
    • Nursery School
  • Take Action
    • Family Homelessness Initiative
    • Stirring the Waters
    • Antiracism Task Force
    • Sacred Ground
    • Refugee Response
    • Environment Committee
    • Grate Patrol
    • Water Ministry
    • Generosity Sunday
  • Care
    • In Need?
    • Stephen Ministry
    • Prayer Groups
    • Labyrinth
    • Fellowship Groups
    • Healing Prayer
    • Upcoming Funerals
  • Connect
    • Welcome!
    • Church Calendar
    • Parish Events
    • Subscribe
    • Joining
    • Fellowship
    • Circles
    • News
    • Getting Here
    • Member Portal (REALM)
    • Publicity
    • Contact Us
  • Give

St. Columba’s Antiracism Task Force


In early 2021, the St. Columba’s Antiracism Task Force was convened by the Vestry and rector of St. Columba’s, as an expression of the church’s belief that becoming antiracist as individuals and as a church is integral to Jesus’ summary of the greatest commandment, our own baptismal covenant, and St. Columba’s vision to Live God’s Love. This group of volunteer parishioners was charged with guiding the rector and Vestry in their commitment to integrating this intention of becoming antiracist into every facet of our congregational life.

What has the Antiracism Task Force been doing?

Since then, the Task Force has been on a journey of faith, learning, and discernment. We have sought the input of the entire parish through listening sessions, a parish-wide survey, Sunday forum events, and individual conversations. We have engaged with the diocese on diocese-wide and church-wide justice and equity issues. We have connected with ministries and leadership within the church. Through all of this, we have worked to live up to the charge given to us: to provide leadership and guidance as St. Columba’s begins to honor our commitment to antiracism.


How will St. Columba’s live out our commitment to antiracism?

The St Columba’s Antiracism Task Force has developed a Strategy for Antiracism that provides guidance and structure for our work together, allowing us to grow and to hold ourselves and each other accountable in our commitment to antiracism. Endorsed by the Vestry and clergy of St. Columba’s, this plan lays the groundwork for all of us – as individuals, as parishioners, and as members of the community – to participate in this work.

We believe that we are called to renounce and resist racism in all aspects of our life and to actively work toward the Beloved Community.We commit ourselves to antiracism as individuals, as a church, and as members of our community. Through this work, we will:

●Integrate antiracism into faith development for all ages and into St. Columba’s programs and ministries;

●Deeply commit and engage across the entire parish in dismantling racism in our community, in our homes, and in our church;

●Be better equipped to identify and have conversations about issues of racism;

●Welcome and embrace all people and build longer-term partnerships in the broader community;

●Make a difference in the lives of others, and

●Continually invite one another into this work and commit to hold ourselves accountable to live our values and reflect the Beloved Community.

We invite you to explore the full strategy and to consider the history, principles, and specific opportunities for participation and engagement that we are building together.


What comes next?

Over the coming months, the Antiracism Task Force will share information and resources with members of the parish, ministry leaders, and beyond, inviting people to consider the meaning of becoming antiracist in their personal lives and within the life of the church and community. We will engage with ministry leaders to support them as they seek to integrate antiracism into the church’s ministries. And please be on the lookout for future communications around ways you can learn more and take part in this work, through education and upcoming events.

Our work is ongoing, much in the same way practicing Christianity and living God’s Love is ongoing. We encourage you to be curious, to reflect, to engage these serious and hard questions and issues with an open spirit, and to find the potential for joy and abundance that comes from striving to be antiracist. This is a journey that we are all on, individually and collectively, not an event to attend or a box to check or a goal to achieve. Please join us!


Have more questions and ideas?

We want to hear from you! Please email us at [email protected] to share your thoughts.

Antiracism Task Force Members

Kesha Evans, co-chair

Lane Heard, co-chair

Laura Akowuah | Peter Lynch | Lauren Counts | Katharine Huffman | Bill Jensen | Jeremiah Williams | Patty Jensen

Cami Caudill, Missioner for Community Engagement

Abigail Gorman, Senior Warden, ex officio

Ledlie Laughlin, Rector, ex officio


For more information about our work and how this work began, please take a look at our charter in which Ledlie and the Vestry defined our mission. We also encourage you to read or watch Ledlie’s original sermon regarding his vision for St. Columba’s as a church that lives God’s love by being antiracist.




Share this page: St. Columba’s Antiracism Task Force
Take Action Family Homelessness Initiative Stirring the Waters Environment Committee Sacred Ground Grate Patrol Water Ministry Generosity Sunday Zero Waste

Serve Ministries


Parish Office
4201 Albemarle St.,
NW Washington, DC 20016
202.363.4119
[email protected]

Hours
Monday – Thursday: 9 am to 5 pm

Pastoral Care
Email: [email protected]
For pastoral emergencies after office hours, please call 202-669-4856 to reach a member of the clergy.


  View Entire Post

Service Times

Location

St. Columba's Episcopal Church
4201 Albemarle St., NW
Washington, DC 20016

Contact Us
202.363.4119

Newsletter Signup

Welcome Are you new? Becoming a member Contact Us Subscribe

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.

Connecting

We’re glad you’re here. St. Columba’s is a church on a mission to Live God’s Love. Our parish community is a vibrant one that encourages spiritual curiosity, celebrated children and youth, and embraces the world in the spirit of God’s Justice and love.

Learn More

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.

Learn More

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?

Contact Us

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!

Pledge Give Now Stock, IRA, Donor Advised & Planned Giving Member Log-in Christmas Offering/ Thanksgivings & Memorials

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.

Pledge Brochure & Video FAQs



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.

Give Now

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?

Planned Giving Stock, IRA, Donor Advised Info

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.


Member Log-in

Log-in Support


Thank you for your generosity this Christmas.


Make a Christmas Offering