Approved by Church Council – August 2020
St. Luke’s Vision for Racial Equity
“All of this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us.” — 2 Corinthians 5:18–19
Our Calling
St. Luke’s is called to the complex work of reconciling the past and challenging the status quo to establish a truly equitable and inclusive community of faith for all God’s children. We recognize that systemic racism and white privilege are sins that separate us from the love of God and from one another. As a church, we lament the harm done, confess our complicity, and commit to action.
Our Vision
St. Luke’s envisions a church and community where racial equity is achieved and all people experience dignity, respect, and the freedom to live into the fullness of who God created them to be.
Our Commitments
To live into this vision, St. Luke’s commits to:
- Build Relationships: Engage in intentional relationships across lines of difference, especially race, to increase empathy, compassion, and mutual understanding.
- Increase Awareness: Provide education and training that deepens our awareness of systemic racism, white privilege, and implicit bias.
- Foster Dialogue: Create spaces for honest and courageous conversations about race, justice, and reconciliation within our church and community.
- Promote Equity: Review and reform our structures, policies, and practices to ensure equity and fairness in all areas of church life.
- Advocate for Justice: Stand in solidarity with marginalized communities and work for systemic change that reflects God’s Kingdom on earth.
Our Path Forward
We acknowledge this work requires humility, perseverance, and accountability. St. Luke’s will continually examine itself, seek guidance from diverse voices, and take bold steps toward becoming an anti-racist church. We embrace this as a spiritual journey of discipleship, trusting God’s Spirit to lead us in reconciliation and justice.
