Truth-telling
St. Luke's completed Phase One of our work in January 2020 focusing on truth-telling through documentary series, speaker workshops, and extensive historical research.
What We Do
Becoming Beloved Community
As part of our parish identity, we strive to foster God's Beloved Community in which all people may experience the abundant life intended for them as beloved children of God.
Truth-Telling & Research
Our work began with deep dives into local and church history, seeking to uncover and face the realities of the Jim Crow era and the history of slavery at St. Luke's.
- A video documentary series
in partnership with members of a partner AME-Zion congregation to capture stories by those who grew up in the Jim Crow era in Salisbury. - A weekend workshop for the community
headlined by Bishop Will Willimon and Dr. Catherine Meeks of the Absalom Jones Center. - History of Slavery and St. Luke's
Funding research on the history of slavery and St. Luke's, with a public presentation given by historian Gary Freeze. A written report was published in 2021.
Our Ongoing Efforts & Initiatives
We enact our commitment to the Beloved Community through pastoral care, fellowship, environmental stewardship, mission, and promoting racial justice and healing.
Partnership with AME-Zion
Located on just one block from St. Luke's, we regularly partner with Soldiers Memorial AME-Zion Church to get to know each other as sisters and brothers in Christ and to work towards our shared mission of reconciliation.
Racial Equity Training
Our clergy have attended training by the Racial Equity Institute and we commend it to all. St. Luke's is a proud sponsor of Racial Equity Rowan, and our Rector and members serve on the Steering Committee.
Supporting Others
Recognizing that this work can never be done alone, we are grateful for the work being done by the Salisbury-Rowan circle of the Poor People's Campaign and Racial Equity Rowan.
Beloved Community Discussions
We meet over a meal every few months to watch videos on the topic of race and then have conversations, both as small groups around our tables and as a larger group. These events are typically attended not only by members of St. Luke's, but members of the wider Salisbury community.
Debby Irving - Finding Myself in the Story of Race
The Myth of Race
The Story of Race
Bryan Stevenson - The Urgent Need for Reconciliation
Michelle Alexander - The Future of Race in America
Mellody Hobson - Color Blind or Color Brave?
Alice Goffman - How we're priming some kids for college and others for prison