Diocese Announces the Rev. Lindsey Ardrey as New Canon Missioner for Diocesan Reparations and Restitution Ministry

The Diocese of North Carolina announces today that the Rev. Lindsey Ardrey will soon join the staff as the new canon missioner for diocesan reparations and restitution ministry.

Ardrey comes to North Carolina by way of New Orleans in the Diocese of Louisiana where, she says, “the green, purple and gold of Mardi Gras forever painted her heart.” She grew up in Kentucky, but her Carolina roots run deep. Over the last 10 years, Ardrey has led children’s and youth ministries, organized lower and middle school chaplaincy programs, taught in the middle school classroom and co-chaired the Diocese of Louisiana’s Commission on Racial Reconciliation (now named the Commission for Racial Healing). She is also “a writer, a serious seeker of rest, and a human deeply nourished by laughter and silence in equal measure.” Those who would like to do so are invited to read some of her writing here and here.

“Lindsey brings to this work a unique combination of deep spirituality and prayer, sensitivity and sensibility about how to engage in conversation about reparations, and a passion for truth-telling and justice,” said the Rt. Rev. Sam Rodman, bishop of the Diocese of North Carolina, prior to his sabbatical departure. “We are delighted she has accepted this call and look forward to working with her as we move forward in educating ourselves about our history, asking the tough questions, and meditating on the different, creative and impactful ways God is asking us to respond.”

Like the mission strategy coordinator position announced earlier this month, the position of canon missioner for diocesan reparations and restitution ministry is a new one in the Diocese. Supporting several goals within the diocesan mission strategy priority of Racial Reckoning, Justice and Healing, Ardrey will play a key role in helping the Diocese to acknowledge the destructive legacy of slavery and white supremacy within the Diocese, empowering both the clergy and lay members of our congregations to tell their stories, and creating a path to justice, restitution and healing so that we may better embody Christ’s beloved community.

To guide the Diocese on that journey, Ardrey will work closely with the Restitution Committee, the diocesan governing bodies, churches across the Diocese and the Rev. Kathy Walker, canon missioner for Black ministry, along with the entire diocesan staff. She will report to Canon Catherine Massey, canon to the bishop.

“I am humbled and energized by the potential transformational power this ministry has in store,” said Ardrey. “I am excited to travel the Diocese meeting people in all its parishes and invite us all into brave (and oftentimes vulnerable) spaces while shining light on the shadowed parts of our hearts and collective history.”

“Lindsey brings an open, calming spirituality, grounded in a theology of healing and wellness, as well as deep knowledge of the subject matter and practical experience to this important role,” said the Rt. Rev. Jennifer Brooke-Davidson, assistant bishop of the Diocese of North Carolina. “We eagerly look forward to working with her as part of the team focused on implementing our missional priority of Racial Reckoning, Justice and Healing.”

Ardrey begins her tenure May 15.