The Reparations Fund Committee
“You shall raise up the foundations of many generations;
You will be called repairer of the breach, restorer of the streets to live in.”
(Isaiah 58:12)
Thank you for your interest in our diocese’s important ministry of making reparations for slavery. Our diocese’s Reparations Fund was established in 2022 by our Diocesan Convention, and given its mission statement and guiding principles in 2023.
The Reparations Fund of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts exists to help repair the breach of systemic racism in the life of our diocese, region and nation, by resourcing Black communities to flourish in myriad ways. Focused on systemic solutions to present-day racial disparities whose origins lie in the sin of American slavery, the Reparations Fund’s mission is to counteract and redress ongoing social, economic, educational, judicial, medical, political and other harm caused to African Americans and Afro Caribbeans.
The goal and purpose of the Reparations Fund Committee is to steward and oversee the assets of the Reparations Fund, ensuring they are used to further the missional purposes of the Reparations Fund, as defined by the Diocesan Convention’s 2023 resolution.
Committee membership
Applications were received through Jan. 31, 2024, from individuals seeking appointment to the inaugural Reparations Fund Committee. Members were appointed by Bishop Alan Gates (now retired) and confirmed by the Diocesan Council on Sept. 14, 2024:
Co-chairs:
• Constance Perry, Trinity Church in Boston
• The Rev. Nathan Ives, St. Peter's-San Pedro Church in SalemMembers:
• Kelly Bara, Grace Church in Medford
• Clyde Belgrave, Church of the Holy Spirit in Mattapan
• Jocelind Gant, St. Mark's Church in Dorchester
• Leslie Gore, St. Cyprian’s Church in Roxbury
• The Rev. Alan Hesse, St. John’s Church in Sandwich
• Theresa Howell, St. Bartholomew’s Church in Cambridge
• Ann Hunt, Church of Our Saviour in Milton
• The Rev. Hall Kirkham, St. Michael’s Church in Milton
• Byron Rushing, St. John St. James Church in Roxbury.
Read the full announcement of the inaugural committee's appointment here.