Members of the inaugural Reparations Fund Committee, appointed by Bishop Alan Gates and confirmed by the Diocesan Council on Sept. 14, have been announced.
Constance Perry of Trinity Church in Boston and the Rev. Nathan Ives of St. Peter's-San Pedro Church in Salem will serve as committee co-chairs, with committee members:
• Kelly Bara of Grace Church in Medford;
• Clyde Belgrave of the Church of the Holy Spirit in Mattapan;
• Leslie Gore of St. Cyprian’s Church in Roxbury;
• The Rev. Alan Hesse of St. John’s Church in Sandwich;
• Theresa Howell of St. Bartholomew’s Church in Cambridge;
• Ann Hunt of the Church of Our Saviour in Milton;
• The Rev. Hall Kirkham of St. Michael’s Church in Milton; and
• Byron Rushing of St. John St. James Church in Roxbury.
“As we plan for the initial gatherings of the Reparations Fund Committee later this fall, we are deeply moved by the commitment of our diocese and all those who have volunteered to serve on this committee to lead us forward in this vitally important work," the co-chairs said in a joint statement by e-mail. "May God’s ceaseless call for justice and reconciliation among all of God’s people guide our hearts and minds in the work of making just and holy reparations.”
The committee’s creation was authorized by the annual Diocesan Convention in 2023. The Reparations Fund that the committee will administer was created by the convention in 2022 after two years of study and preparation. The committee’s role will be to carry out the convention’s stated mission for the fund, “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.” The committee will discern, oversee, direct and report on all reparations payments, disbursements and investments, in furtherance of the fund’s mission.
The bishops reviewed applications and identified committee membership with the counsel of leaders and members of the Racial Justice Commission, including the Rev. Carol Morehead, the Rev. Will Mebane, the Rev. Chris Wendell, Louise Gant, the Rev. Edwin Johnson and the Rev. Canon Jean Baptiste Ntagengwa.
Within the guidelines of the committee's organizing authorization, membership is made up of a majority of persons of color, predominantly lay persons, and members drawn from all three regions of the diocese.
The committee will begin its work in accordance with the Guiding Principles of the Fund as authorized by Diocesan Convention.