Racial Justice
Our Mission & Vision
Our Mission: Our purpose for being
To advance and advocate racial justice in Maine.
Our Vision: What we desire and what compels us
To achieve a more just Maine by living into our baptism: to seek and serve Christ in all persons, respect the dignity of every human being, and transform unjust structures of society.
Racial Justice Statement
Hear from Bishop Brown
The Right Reverend Thomas J. Brown, the tenth bishop of Maine shares a statement regarding racial justice and the Episcopal Church in Maine.
Our Work
How we plan to live into our mission and achieve our vision
We will raise awareness of and address the evils of systemic racism in Maine through:
Liturgy
- Provide liturgical resources for parishes
- Diocesan services
- Promote inclusion of multicultural materials as part of worship
Formation
- Provide educational resources for parishes and individuals
- Formation opportunities for parishes and the Diocese
Action
- Raise awareness of opportunities for action
- Advocate legislative measures that promote racial justice
- Come alongside those engaged in protests for racial justice
Sacred Ground Program
A major focus for the RJC is to promote the Sacred Ground program which offers discussion groups led by trained facilitators in order to make conversations about race safe and impactful. It was launched in 2019 by The Episcopal Church and the RJC offers ongoing support to churches and groups who would like to participate in Sacred Ground or have questions about this program.
This fall there are three Sacred Ground circles meeting on Zoom with participants and facilitators drawn from the dioceses of Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. There are still spaces available in the Circles meeting Wednesday afternoon (which will begin October 26) and Thursday evening (which will begin in November). The circles are sponsored by the Diocese of Vermont’s Anti-Racism Action Group, the Diocese of New Hampshire’s Reconciliation Commission and the Diocese of Maine’s Racial Justice Council.
Those interested in participating should contact Franci Farnsworth right away. We are limiting the size of each circle to no more than 8 people plus the two facilitators.
Learn more watch an invitational video.
Our Members
The Rev. Katie Holicky
she/her, St. Paul’s Brunswick, a white person in the Abenaki Territory of the Wabanaki Confederacy
The Rev. Carol L. Huntington
Retired Deacon, she/her, Grace Church, Bath, an Anglo white person living in the Abenaki Territory, Wabanaki Confederacy on the shores of the Kinipek
The Rev. Lauren Kay
they/them, St. George’s Sanford, a white person in Abenaki territory
John Hennesy
he/him, a white person living in the Abenaki Territory (Wabanaki)
Diane Potter
she/her, Christ Church Gardiner, European American, white person in Wabanaki Territory
Ted Potter
he/him, Christ Church Gardiner, European American, white person in Wabanaki Territory
June R. Smoot
she/her, St. David’s Episcopal Church-Kennebunk, a European-American/white person in Wabanaki territory
Roy Smoot
he/him, St. David’s Episcopal Church-Kennebunk, a European-American/white person in Wabanaki territory
Tom Van Buren
he/him, St. Brendan’s
Racial Justice Resources
Video
Recording: The Seven Deadly Sins of White Christian Nationalism with Carter Heyward from 9/21
Link
Pastoral statement on mass shooting in Buffalo from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry – May 16, 2022
Link
Maine Voices: People of faith urge legislators, Gov. Mills to support tribal sovereignty
Video
Recording of Restoring Wabanaki Tribal Sovereignty Forum held Feb. 20, 2022
Link
Sacred Ground
