Since the latter part of the 1970’s the Episcopal Church (TEC) has made several commitments to fight against the sin of racism. In the summer of 2102 the 76th General Convention of TEC adopted yet another resolution to recommit to this ministry. Seeing the Face of God in Each Other Antiracism Workshop (SFG) has been endorsed as the church’s primary antiracism program. All clergy and all lay people who hold positions of leadership at the local, diocesan and international level are required to complete this workshop or something similar. Of the approximately 2 million Episcopalians, very few have completed the program. In 2011 and 2012, the Diocese of Maryland saw nearly two hundred people complete SFG, which is a good start. However, nearly one thousand people need to complete it. These are lay leaders in congregations and persons serving on diocesan commissions, committees, and boards. Combating racism is a lifelong commitment. Concerted efforts must be made by more people if true progress is to be realized. A number of white people indicated that SFG was life changing, and that they found themselves seeing the world through a slightly different lens, a lens that more readily identified internalized racial oppression and white privilege. A portion of SFG explores white privilege and its subtle but far reaching effects that have been woven into the fabric of our society. An all white book study group that focuses solely on white privilege is the first step in creating an ally group. Ally groups will further the ministry of the Episcopal Church.
