The Antiracism Commission
Vision
The Antiracism Commission of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago (ARC) envisions a diocese and world that, by God’s grace, is free from systemic racism.
Our Strategic Plan – ARC approved this strategic plan at their September 10, 2024 meeting. They anticipate that this strategic plan will guide our work for the next 12 to 18 months.
Strategic Plan Progress – this document tracks our progress on the strategic plan action items
Membership
ARC Members and Contact Information
Nominations are generally taken in the spring and summer of each year with elections in the fall. ARC terms run for 3 years, from January 1 through December 31 of the 3rd year. ARC members generally attend one meeting a month and serve on 1 or 2 commission working groups to do to the work of ARC. Email arc@episcopalchicago.org for more information.
More information is also included in ARC’s bylaws.
Antiracism Commission Initiatives
New 2026 Antiracism Training Position Paper
On February 10, 2026, ARC approved the 2026 position paper on antiracism training for the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago which guides our collaboration with diocesan entities to support antiracism training for members of the diocese as a step towards fulfilling our vision of a diocese and world that, by God’s grace, is free from systemic racism. The paper lays out what antiracism trainings are required and recommended for clergy, lay leaders and all members of the Episcopal diocese.
Why is antiracism training offered in the diocese?
It is required by The Episcopal Church (TEC) per the 2018 General Convention.
In addition:
- Training provides a baseline of shared knowledge for all diocesan leaders, employees and members
- Training helps build support for dismantling systemic racism within the diocese and our world
- Training helps launch and sustain action to free the diocese and our world from systemic racism
- Training helps the diocese become an antiracist multicultural institution
- Establishing an antiracist identity is a lifelong commitment, and training often helps us to renew our commitment to live into an antiracist identity
Click here for antiracism training schedules, registration details and training subsidy information.
New Antiracism Training
Ten Things to Know about the ARC’s New Faith and Race: Lay Leadership Training
- One-day anti-racism training offered on site in person at your congregation (6.5 hours with lunch)
- Sponsored by ARC – free for Diocesan Congregations
- For groups of 6-10 from the same congregation, vestry or ministry group
- The training goal is to launch and sustain antiracism work in congregations
- The training focuses attention on why our faith matters in dismantling systemic racism in the context of our baptismal covenant and the Episcopal Church’s long-term commitment to racial healing, reconciliation and justice as part of the Beloved Community
- The training provides an opportunity for lay leadership to talk together openly about opportunities as well as barriers to change
- Designed for church lay leaders in accordance with Resolution F-185 of the 2022 Diocesan Convention, as well as meeting the requirements for the national church
- Training satisfies the diocesan recommendation for antiracism training for lay leaders, including wardens and vestry members
- The curriculum is based on the Sacred Ground curriculum and uses video, handouts and small group discussion to facilitate the journey from where a parish is to where it wants to be in terms of faith and race
- To schedule a Faith and Race: Lay Leadership Training at your congregation, please contact ARC Training Coordinator Ed Manning
Resolution F-185: Commitment to Antiracism Work in Congregations
Resolution F-185, approved at the 2022 Diocesan Convention, calls on all congregations in the diocese to take steps to dismantle racism and build the antiracist identity of the diocese, and to formalize this commitment through programing, budget allocation, reporting to congregations at annual meetings and reporting annually to the bishop.
The Antiracism Commission recommends the following resources for F-185 implementation ideas:
- 2025 F-185 Implementation Flyer English
- 2025 F-185 Ideas para implementar Espanol/Spanish
- F-185 Implementation Ideas Webinar
- F-185 Implementation Ideas Slides
F-185 annual reports are due to Bishop Clark by March 31, 2026 and may be submitted through this Google form.
Please contact the Antiracism Commission with questions.
Task Force on the Legacy of Slavery
At the 176th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Chicago in November 2013, the Task Force on the Legacy of Slavery presented its report. Download the executive summary and the full report:
Executive Summary in English | Executive Summary in Spanish
Full Report from the Task Force published May 2017
During the General Convention of the Episcopal Church in 1988 several resolutions were adopted for action by the various dioceses to address the sin of racism. The Diocese of Chicago responded by affirming the General Convention resolution in 1989. Subsequent actions by the Diocese of Chicago include the Bishop’s Advisory Commission to End Racism (BACTER) in 1993, the Illinois Lutheran Episcopal Anti-Racism Project (ILEAP) in 1999 which became the Anti-Racism Commission. The Task Force on the Legacy of Slavery is the most recent effort to address racism.
Download Resolution F-172 from the 172nd Annual Convention of the Diocese of Chicago enabling the Task Force.