A New Chapter in Racial Justice Work

Dearest of Old South,

For 150 years, Old South Church has stood at the corner of Boylston and Dartmouth Streets, proudly declaring on our portico an "open door" that welcomes all into our Christian community of justice seekers. Through our efforts to expand access to God's love and mercy, we have been at the forefront of movements for abolition, voting rights, LGBTQ rights, and equal marriage.

The work of opening doors is an ongoing practice of our faith. Today, we continually work to honestly name the uncomfortable sins of our past, including slave-owning forebears and complicity in systems of oppression. To make progress on our vision of multi-racial belonging, we regularly remember our racial history through Middle Passage MLK, Phillis Wheatley, and Juneteeth observances. We've created our (G)RACE Speaks committee to foster sacred and difficult conversations around race, and we annually award our "Open Door Award" to those who advance causes of justice.

Today, we are excited to announce a new chapter in that story. We aim to make our faith community a place of nurturing and belonging for everyone in Boston-a city that is majority people of color. Martin Luther King once noted that "Sunday morning at 11:00 is the most segregated hour in the nation". And while Old South isn't racially homogenous, our faith would be richer and more beautiful if we could buck that trend.

We are proud of the work we've done so far. And clergy and council have found that in order to advance further in that work, we must invest in it. We would benefit from counsel and guidance from those who have successfully led such important work.

With support from (G)RACE Speaks, we created a task force to envision expert counsel in the form of a two-year consultancy position: "Ministry Consultant for Congregational Belonging and Engagement." The council has approved the posting of a Request for Proposals and the creation of a BELONG Search Committee that will evaluate proposals early in the new year.

Our "BELONG consultant" will facilitate work toward a long-term strategic plan to move us closer to our vision of multi-racial belonging that permeates all aspects of church life. Notably, we seek a "ministry" consultant with church experience and a passion for people, who views this sacred work through a lens of spiritual awakening to the promise of deeper connections.

Over the coming months, the BELONG Search Committee will invite us to learn about the vision for this consultancy and to prepare for its work. In the meantime, if you'd like to learn more, to express your interest in joining the search committee, or recommend consultants for our consideration - please contact belongsearch@oldsouth.org. You can also contact June Cooper, chair of (G)RACE Speaks, Tim Harbold, BELONG task force coordinator, or any of the members of (G)RACE Speaks. Please join us!
 

In hope,

John Edgerton, Senior Minister
Maren Batalden, Moderator
June Cooper, Chair of (G)RACE Speaks
Tim Harbold, Coordinator of Belong Search