Racial Reckoning, Justice & Healing
The diocese’s mission priority for racial reckoning, justice and healing is to actively engage in disciplines that lead to understanding the historical and contemporary issues of racial injustice in our diocese, our congregations and our communities, then prayerfully act to ensure equality and freedom for all members of our diocese to participate fully in the life of our church and society.
CONTACTS & LEADERSHIP
The Rev. Kathy Walker
Canon Missioner for Black Ministries
The Rev. Kathy Walker
Canon Missioner for Black Ministries
919-600-5317
EMAIL
The Rev. Kathy Walker previously served as the associate rector for pastoral care and parish life at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Tallahassee, Florida, though her call to church leadership and ministry is one she has answered her entire life. Prior to becoming a member of the clergy, over her lifetime she has served as a licensed lay reader, a lay Eucharistic minister, vestry member and church officer. She was instrumental in the founding of the David Henry Brooks chapter of Union of Black Episcopalians in the Diocese of Florida, and while serving as its president organized multiple forums about the future of Black churches.
Kathy believes strongly in the honoring and continuity of Black churches and hopes in her new role to help as many as possible not only survive, but flourish. She also wants to work with congregations to deepen their churches’ roots in the communities they already serve so well, and build leadership opportunities in the Church for future generations.
The Rev. Canon Lindsey Ardrey
Canon Missioner for Diocesan Restitution & Reparations Ministry
The Rev. Canon Lindsey Ardrey
Canon Missioner for Diocesan Restitution and Reparations Ministry
919-600-5303
EMAIL
The Rev. Lindsey Ardrey lives in Durham, but before landing in North Carolina, Lindsey served as a children’s and youth minister, school chaplain, and co-chair for the Racial Reconciliation Commission in the Diocese of Louisiana. A deep believer in healing as a vital medium for issues stemming from race, Lindsey brings this perspective into every conversation and space she occupies, whether it’s on the parish or The Episcopal Church level. Creativity, artistic expressions, and practices of embodiment infuse her approach to this work.
Lindsey is a lover of books, plants, hot tea, and manifesting dreams her ancestors didn’t know they had. She is a writer, an auntie, a serious seeker of rest, a godparent, and a human in deep need of laughter and silence in equal measure.
Joy Shillingsburg
Joy Shillingsburg
Mission Strategy Coordinator
919-521-5927
EMAIL
Joy Shillingsburg is a lifelong educator who served as the director of youth and outreach at St. John’s, Wake Forest, for more than a decade before joining diocesan staff. Prior to serving at St. John’s, Joy spent 15 years as a classroom history teacher outside of Philadelphia and in the Wake County Public School System. Her commitment to teaching historical truths and how these truths have the power to liberate and transform our lives and society has been a through line of her work. At St. John’s, Joy led vibrant intergenerational programs that linked formation rooted in Becoming Beloved Community to vibrant outreach ministries. As an extension of her work as director of youth and outreach, Joy founded Wake Forest Community Table. This thriving nonprofit served more than 25,000 meals from 2020 through 2022 while connecting diverse members of the community to each other through quarterly gatherings that explore the history, laws, personal stories, and systems that necessitate the twice-weekly meal distribution.
Joy lives her faith by serving her neighbors and is deeply committed to leading diverse stakeholders to do the work of Becoming Beloved Community. Joy earned her M.S. in History Education at Villanova University. She lives with her family in Wake Forest. Joy loves biking, hiking, traveling, and podcasts almost as much as reading!
DIOCESAN LEADERSHIP COMMITMENTS
- Equip and empower congregations to learn the history of Black, Brown and Indigenous people in the life of The Episcopal Church, each congregation and community in our diocese.
- Utilize the work of the Restitution Committee and the Canon for Restoration and Reparations to redress historic injustices toward Black congregations and African Americans.
- Participate in racial justice training and incorporate this work into all levels of diocesan life.
- Develop, fund and promote racial justice trainings so they are accessible to all congregations.
- Broaden the diversity of the staff and governing bodies by implementing the findings and recommendations of the Building for Ministry trainings and equip congregational leaders to also do this work.
- Create opportunities for Episcopalians of color to connect and be sustained in their ministries.
- Seek opportunities to establish new communities of worship and service in areas experiencing growth of African American, Latino/Hispanic and immigrant persons.
Ensure that our diocesan budget reflects our commitment to racial reckoning, justice and healing.
CONGREGATION & INDIVIDUAL COMMITMENTS
- Research and learn the history of the Black, Brown and Indigenous people in the life of the church, your congregation and community.
- Participate in racial justice trainings such as Dismantling Racism, Sacred Ground, and offerings of the Racial Justice and Reconciliation Committee and Formation team as well as dedicating time and resources to racial justice work.
- Ensure that underrepresented voices are heard and valued in all areas of worship and ministry.
- Prayerfully work to redress injustice and restore equality and liberation to all of God’s people in the church and broader community.
RESOURCES
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