183rd Annual Convention
November 7, 2020

View all the resolutions . (approved by convention)

Resolution 1: Diocesan Work on History of Complicity with White Supremacy

RESOLVED, that this 183rd Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis,
rooted in our Baptismal Vow to persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever we fall into
sin, to repent and return to the Lord, acknowledges and laments the sins of white
supremacy and systemic racism that have divided, broken, and limited us in our mission
of reconciling all people to God and each other through Jesus Christ and in becoming
the Beloved Community; and be it further

RESOLVED, that this 183rd Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis, as a
first step toward reconciliation, commit to sharing, learning, and hearing the truths of the
ways our members, congregations, and diocese have been historically complicit,
through both commission and omission, in acts of prejudice, discrimination, racism, and
systemic oppression that have specifically impacted and harmed Black and Brown
persons, both within our own congregations and ministries, and also in our local
communities; and be it further

RESOLVED, that this 183rd Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis direct
our Bishop to appoint the Indianapolis Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians
(UBE), our diocesan historiographer, and, under the direction of the local chapter of
UBE, a team of six (6) volunteer lay leaders, comprised of one leader from each
diocesan neighborhood, to gather stories and examples of our historic complicity in acts
of prejudice, discrimination, racism, and systemic oppression from our congregations,
members, and community partners, and to examine the historical minutes and records
of our congregations for such actions, along with relevant local and regional histories of
such actions as they pertain to the Episcopal Church in this Diocese; and be it further

RESOLVED, that this 183rd Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis direct
every congregation, Vestry, Bishop’s Committee, Clergyperson-in-Charge, and Warden
to aid the UBE in the collection of these stories of our church’s historic complicity in
prejudice, discrimination, racism, and systemic oppression from our church records,
members, and local neighbors; and be it further

RESOLVED, that this 183rd Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis direct
the UBE to present to the 184th Convention of this Diocese, and afterward to every
congregation, a compilation of these stories in a video documentary presentation, an
audio collection, and a digital collection, along with recommendations for next steps in
reconciliation, healing, and equity; and be it further

RESOLVED, that this 183rd Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis makes
a budget allocation of $25,000 in 2021 for the implementation of this resolution to cover
vendors and contractor costs, including, but not limited to, project management,
videography and audio recording/production, website development, interviewing, and
data collection, serving under the direction of the UBE.
Submitted by:

Diocese of Indianapolis Chapter of The Union of Black Episcopalians

Resolution 2: Congregational Anti-Racism Work

RESOLVED, that this 183rd Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis
affirms that Black Lives Matter; and, be it further

RESOLVED, that this 183rd Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis
decries every form and expression of racism and white supremacy, including those
expressions by alt-right white supremacy, the Ku Klux Klan, Christian Identity
Adherents, white nationalism, and Neo-Nazism, as antithetical to the Gospel of Jesus
Christ; and be it further

RESOLVED, that this 183rd Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis
charge our clergy, lay leaders, congregations and ministries to denounce, repudiate,
and actively work against white supremacy and every form of racial and ethnic hatred
as evil and anathema to the vows of our Baptismal Covenant; and be it further

RESOLVED, that this 183rd Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis direct
each congregation and diocesan ministry to report to the Secretary of the Diocese no
later than August 31, 2021, the work that their congregation or ministry has done
between November 2020 and August 2021 in dismantling systemic racism through such
activities as storytelling, community listening, and engagement with civic organizations
and partner religious institutions; and, be it further

RESOLVED, that this 183rd Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis direct
the Secretary of the Diocese to publish these reports in the preparatory materials for the
184th Convention of the Diocese of Indianapolis; and, be it further

RESOLVED, that this 183rd Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis directs
each canonically resident, active deacon and priest to report to the Bishop in writing no
later than August 31, 2021, the work they have personally undertaken within the past
year to dismantle systemic racism through preaching, teaching, storytelling, community
listening, and engagement with civic organizations and partner religious institutions.
Submitted by: Diocese of Indianapolis Chapter of The Union of Black Episcopalians