Celebrating 250 Years
Christ Church 1773–2023
Partnership with Justice & Sustainability Associates
We are excited and honored to partner with Don Edwards and Justice and Sustainability Associates for parish wide conversations about the full depth and breadth of our 250 year history. In addition to projects with Georgetown University, community partnerships and conflict resolution, environmental impact studies with
the City of New York’s African-American burial ground, and the African- American Museum of History and Culture, JSA has also worked with St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Richmond, to help them determine a path forward as they strove to understand the community impact of the confederate iconography in their nave.
With the help of Don and the excellent staff of JSA, we will participate in community conversations to help us better understand each other and the institutions and people we regularly interact with. Through these conversations and the actions that will follow from them, we will learn to be an even more open, welcoming, and Christ- centered parish, learning from our past in order to be stronger and more loving in the generations to come.
Ongoing Work with the Parish
Sunday Forum Series
Narrative of Christ Church | Sunday, May 7
Marylin Bromley walked parishioners through the History of Christ Church and shared some fun facts from her findings in the archives. Attendees then discussed the church’s current narrative and presented everyone with the updated visitor's pamphlet. Attendees discussed the following questions:
- What do you think is missing from the pamphlet?
- What would you like people to know about Christ Church that is not represented on here?
- Do you feel this pamphlet shows the Church in a welcoming light?
- What is the Narrative that is being told to people who are not current parishioners?
- Would this draw you in to want to join the congregation?
Read a summary of the the conversation here.
Considering Inclusive Memorialization | Sunday, May 14
On Sunday, May 14, the Becoming Beloved Community Team presented around Considering Inclusive Memorialization, a conversation continuing from the May 7 Forum, The Narrative of Christ Church. The forum focused on what memorialization is, defining inclusive memorialization, what that may look like, and what/whom Christ Church members want to be memorialized. One of the major questions asked in this forum was:
- What is the truth you want to tell about Christ Church?
Read a summary of the the conversation here.
The Danger of a Single Story | Sunday May 21
On Sunday, May 21, the Becoming Beloved Community team supported a Sunday Forum that discussed a TED Talk by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie called The Danger of a Single Story (you can find the video here). This explores how having a “single story” of marginalized communities perpetuates misunderstandings and biases, and that listening to and reading more stories about other people and communities can address prejudices.
Some of the Questions asked in this forum were:
- What stories do you want to include in Christ church's history?
- What is the truth you want to tell about Christ Church?
Read a summary of the the conversation here.
Wednesday Evening Series
Everyday Theology | May 2023
Everyday Theology presented a special set of workshops prepared by Justice & Sustainability Associates (JSA) where we deepened our knowledge of the Episcopal Church’s work toward racial reconciliation, healing, and justice through Becoming Beloved Community. In these workshops, we learned about the commitment that it will take within us, our churches, our communities, and society at large to move forward in the goal of Becoming a Beloved Community at Christ Church.
- Truth Telling - Through meaningful conversations participants discussed and reflected on about Christ Church, the community around us, recognized injustices, and the truth to tell about Christ Church.
- Proclaiming the Dream - Participants had open discussions about proclamation, and the dream they have for Christ Church’s future.
- Practicing the Way - Potential ways participants and Christ Church can practice growing relationships with the larger community, story sharing and receiving as well as continue down the path of Becoming Beloved Community were unpacked through dialogues.
- Repairing the Breach - Participants shared what they would like to see in the future of Christ Church as we walk down the path of Becoming Beloved Community and develop relationships with the larger Alexandria community.
Virtual Workshops:
Thursday Evening Series | June – July 2023
More Becoming Beloved Community Workshops, but virtual! We continued to deepen our knowledge of the Episcopal Church’s work toward racial reconciliation, healing, and justice through Becoming Beloved Community. In the virtual series of workshops, the participants were able to have impactful and open conversations, view presentations, and learned through video testimonies about other churches and dioceses that are currently following the Becoming Beloved Community program. Participants unpacked the commitment it will take within us, our churches, our communities, and society to further the goal of the program and to reconcile with our past.
- Truth Telling - Through meaningful conversations participants discussed and reflected on about Christ Church, the community around us, recognized injustices, and the truth to tell about Christ Church.
- Proclaiming the Dream - Participants had open discussions about proclamation and the dream they have for Christ Church’s future.
- Practicing the Way - Potential ways participants and Christ Church can practice growing relationships with the larger community, story sharing and receiving as well as continue down the path of Becoming Beloved Community were unpacked through dialogues.
- Repairing the Breach - Participants shared what they would like to see in the future of Christ Church as we walk down the path of Becoming Beloved Community and develop relationships with the larger Alexandria community.