In the Community – Page 2 – St. John's Episcopal Church

3) Collaborate with neighborhood community groups such as the Northwest Coalition Against Racism and Hate

Posted on June 18, 2020 by Michelle Burke

Members of St. John’s participated in the Faith Walk for #blacklivesmatter

Follow online and support organizations such as the Northside Coalition Against Racism & Hate, Portage Park For Action, Respect and Community (PPARC) and Neighbors for Affordable Housing.

Upcoming event Juneteenth Car Caravan on Friday June 19th 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. around the Jefferson Park neighborhood. Sponsored by the Northwest Coalition Against Racism & Hate. Follow on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/nwsidecoalition/ for exact location details.

Courtney Hug and Erica Zazo are St. John’s liaisons this year to the Northwest Coalition Against Racism And Hate. Please contact Courtney or Erica for more info at corriehug@gmail.com or erica.zazo@gmail.com.

4) Organize and Promote the St. John’s Antiracism Library

Posted on June 18, 2020 by Michelle Burke

4) Organize and Promote St. John’s Antiracism Library

We have two antiracism reading lists on our website:

Reading to End Racism – https://www.stjohnschicago.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Reading-to-End-Racism-Publication-FINAL.pdf

Wrestling With White Supremacy – https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:47a7ac64-c173-4a72-82ff-39170001e6fb#pageNum=1

We have some of these recommended books in the St. John’s library. We are looking for volunteers to set up and manage a borrowing system for the antiracism books and perhaps set up a curbside pick up program. To volunteer for this project, please contact Laura Singer at laura.t.singer@gmail.com

Another Source for books – All Saints Episcopal Church has moved their Free Antiracism Little Library to 3856 W Eddy St Chicago, IL 60618, Front Porch, Corner of Springfield and Eddy (near Addison and Pulaski)

5) Prepare to Join the 2021 Congregational Antiracism Model Project

Posted on June 18, 2020 by Michelle Burke

St. John’s members attending a CROAR training

In 2020, initial team members were commissioned in February and have been meeting monthly to work on this 7 step pilot project with the Diocesan Antiracism Commission and CROAR trainers. We have taken steps to institutionalize antiracism work at St. John’s to make sure this doesn’t go away with time. As part of Step 3, we will be presenting a vision, mission, mandate and charter/by-laws document to the vestry in June to strengthen the structure to support antiracism work and create systemic change at St. John’s.

To get involved with the 2021 Congregational Antiracism Model Project, complete a recommended antiracism training in 2020 to be ready to begin work in January 2021. For more info on the Congregational Antiracism Model contact Laura Singer at laura.t.singer@gmail.com

Land Acknowledgement

Posted on April 18, 2020 by Michelle Burke

The plaque has been installed!

We will have a dedication and day of learning whenever we can safely gather. We hope this is the beginning of meaningful relationships with our Native neighbors, a continued commitment to care for the earth, and symbol of our anti-racism work. In an irony of history this land was “free,” given by Sheriff John Gray in 1887. The cost of building the church in 1888 was $1,963.00; the plaque cost $1900. It was cast by by the Bronze Memorial Company and installed by Lopez Concrete. Expertise and wording donated by Dr. Dorene Wiese, president of the American Indian Association of Illinois. Please stop by and read about our history in your next walk around the neighborhood.

Are We Non-racist or Anti-racist? And What Can We Do About It?

Posted on April 30, 2019 by Michelle Burke