Kwanzaa – a celebration of African-American Culture
One-minute read. Kwanzaa is an annual celebration of African-American culture from December 26 to January 1, culminating in a communal feast called Karamu, usually on the sixth day.
Diversity and Reconciliation Commission
All posts and information relating to the Diversity and Reconciliation Commission
National Day of Racial Healing (January 17, 2023)
Four-minute read. The National Day of Racial Healing is observed each year following the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Holiday. In 2023 many churches across the diocese are opening their doors to those who wish to pray and reflect on this day.
Beloved Community of Care and Love Book Study – Ghost Ship: Institutional Racism and the Church of England
Please join us as we resume our book study on Undoing Racism with our next book, “Ghost Ship: Institutional Racism and the Church of England.”
Time is running out to register for this fall’s Undoing Racism Workshop
One-minute read. There is still time to register for the upcoming Undoing Racism Workshop sponsored by the Diocesan Diversity & Reconciliation Commission.
Fall 2022 Diversity Workshop: Undoing Racism
When: Saturday, September 24, 2022, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: Church of the Good Shepherd, Kansas City and St. John’s Episcopal Church, Springfield.
Who: Diocese-wide.
The purpose of this workshop is to assist the diocese in eliminating the sin of racism. This training fulfills the intent of several General Convention resolutions, which call for leaders at all levels of The Episcopal Church to receive training on the Church’s teaching about racial diversity and other forms of diversity present within the human family.
Diversity and Reconciliation Commission’s seventh online series of book study sessions
Please join us as we resume our book study on Undoing Racism with our next book, “Four Hundred Souls,” a unique one-volume “community” history of African Americans.
West Missouri chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians (UBE)
One-minute read. It is time to begin the process of starting a UBE chapter here in our diocese.
The need for a UBE chapter in West Missouri has been discussed by various people off and on, and Bishop Bruce has strongly urged that this become a reality.
Sharing God’s love at Kansas City Pride 2022
One-minute read. Several Episcopal churches from West Missouri braved the sunshine and heat to participate in the Kansas City Pride 2022 parade on Saturday, June 11, 2022.
Juneteenth — A personal reflection
Four-minute read. Stephanie Hasty reflects on Juneteenth, — June 19, the date that Major General Gordon Granger read General Order 3 to the people of Galveston, Texas. It was then, two years after The Emancipation Proclamation was signed, that every enslaved person in the United States was free and knew it.
The Episcopal Church at Kansas City Pride 2022 — June 10-12
One-minute read. Will you join us in affirming God’s love to all this June? Three churches of The Diocese of West Missouri have taken the lead on The Episcopal Church’s presence at Kansas City Pride 2022, and are inviting you to join them.
Spring Diversity Workshop: Undoing Racism
When: Two Saturday Workshops: April 23 & 30, 2022 | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: Online
Who: Diocese-wide
This training fulfills the intent of several General Convention resolutions which call for leaders at all levels of The Episcopal Church to receive training on the Church’s teaching about racial diversity as well as other forms of diversity present within the human family.
Black History Month, Week Four. Allan Rohan Crite
Six-minute video. In this fourth and final video in this year’s series remembering key African American figures in the Episcopal Church and beyond, we remember artist Allan Rohan Crite.
Black History Month, Week Three. The Rt. Rev. Barbara Harris
Five-minute video. This is the third in the 2022 series of four weekly videos remembering key African American figures in the Episcopal Church and beyond. A new video will be published each Thursday for four weeks from February 10, 2022.
Black History Month. The Rev. Dr. Harold Lewis
Six-minute video. This is the second in the 2022 series of four weekly videos remembering key African American figures in the Episcopal Church and beyond. A new video will be published each Thursday for four weeks from February 10, 2022.
Black History Month. The Rev. George Freeman Bragg
Seven-minute video. This is the first in the 2022 series of four weekly videos remembering key African American figures in the Episcopal Church and beyond. A new video will be published each Thursday for four weeks starting February 10, 2022.
Recording — Blessed Absalom Jones Celebration
90-minute video. On Sunday, February 6, 2022, a service celebrating Absalom Jones was held at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, Kansas City. The service included recorded video messages from the Union of Black Episcopalians, and Presiding Bishop Michael Curry.
Diocesan Diversity and Reconciliation Commission to release a new series of four videos during Black History Month
One-minute read. During Black History Month, the Diversity and Reconciliation Commission of the diocese will once again be offering online video presentations on the lives of famous black Episcopalians.
Absalom Jones, The Episcopal Church’s first black priest
Two-minute read. Fr. John Spicer writes about Absalom Jones, The Episcopal Church’s first black priest.
Diversity and Reconciliation Commission’s sixth online series of book study sessions
Please join us as we resume our book study on Undoing Racism with our next book: “Slaves In The Family” by Edward Ball.
National Day of Racial Healing
When: Tuesday, 18 2022.
A Day of Prayer and Fasting, The Diversity and Reconciliation Commission asks each church to open their doors or virtually have the opportunity for many to pray together.
