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| Christ Church, Toms River, Location of the 242nd diocesan convention. Image courtesy of Episcopal Asset Map. |
COMMITTEE ON RESOLUTIONS RESOLUTION 242-5
Be it resolved, That the 242nd Convention of the Diocese of New Jersey direct Diocesan Council to establish a restricted trust fund for reparative justice to support Historically Black congregations harmed by practices of slavery and disadvantaged conditions resulting from slavery and centuries of systemic racism, to be designated as the Reparative Justice Trust Fund; and be it
Further resolved, That the Bishop of New Jersey, in consultation with the Co-Chairs of the Reparations Commission and the Canon for Black Ministries, appoint a standing Reparative Justice Financial Board of not less than twelve members, to be composed of representative current members of the Reparations Commission, the Trustees of Church Properties, the trustees of the Diocesan Investment Trust, the Diocesan Council, the Standing Committee, and the Commission on Black Ministries, with the following terms of office:
· of those initially appointed, one third shall be given one-year terms, one third two-year terms, and one third three-year terms
· subsequent appointments shall be for 3-year terms, subject to reappointment, and provided that their successors shall be appointed from the then current membership of the Diocesan body from which the retiring member was appointed
· the Bishop shall appoint a Chair and any other officers of the Board from among its members; and be it
Further resolved, That the Reparative Justice Financial Board identify sources of initial funds and procedures for contribution of additional funds that include contributions from organizations and individuals and, once such fund is established, be responsible for the granting and disbursement of funds to Historically Black Churches; and be it
Further resolved, That the Reparations Commission work with the Bishop, Diocesan Staff, Diocesan Council, the Standing Committee, and other relevant persons to support transformative changes in processes and structures that need addressing beyond monetary compensation; and be it
Further resolved, That the Reparative Justice Financial Board report to the 243rd Diocesan Convention and annually thereafter with details on the target size, funding sources, and administration of the Reparative Justice Trust Fund.
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From “2025 Preliminary Report of the Committee on Resolutions” (pages 11-12):
Statement in Support of Resolution 242-5 by Proposers:
This resolution is an exercise in truth-telling done in the memory of the Christ who stands with the victims throughout history. The Rev. Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas asserts that reparations confirm our commitment as a Eucharistic community to anamnesis, remembering and celebrating the sacrificial love and solidarity of Jesus. The anamnestic truth-telling of this resolution “confronts the ways in which the past remains alive in the present, thus paving the way to right the present by exonerating it from contemporary vestiges of the past.” (Kelly Brown Douglas)
The Reparations Commission of the Diocese of New Jersey has investigated the financial health of the Historically Black Churches (HBCs) and has also asked the church leaders what pressing challenges reparatory funds could address. The Commission proposes this resolution as a faithful and necessary step to acknowledge and address historic and ongoing harms caused by slavery and systemic racism.
For centuries, HBCs in this Diocese have endured deep and compounding injustices. These com- munities have shown extraordinary resilience, faith, and leadership despite being materially and structurally disadvantaged by policies and practices rooted in white supremacy. This resolution seeks not only to offer financial redress but to affirm the dignity, contributions, and futures of these congregations.
A recent survey of HBCs shows the following initiatives that could be addressed using reparative resources:
· Redevelopment of Property: The survey revealed that parishes have creative solutions to use large properties for the service of mission (i.e., community centers, affordable housing);
· Building Maintenance and Facility Upgrades: Parishes desire to make significant upgrades to ensure accessibility, improve space usage for hospitality, and implement state-of-the-art technology;
· Mission and Outreach: Parishes express hopes of expanding outreach efforts and partnerships with other community organizations, schools, and institutions to address systemic issues;
· Promote Spiritual Formation: The survey highlights that parishes wish to offer a broader range of faith formation. While there would be a focus on youth, programs would serve multi-generations;
· Expand Staff and Membership: A primary way is to ensure funding for dedicated clergy and to bolster parish support staff. The parishes were honest about the need to augment membership.
A Reparative Justice Trust Fund represents a meaningful initial and ongoing commitment. This action aligns with our baptismal covenant to “strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human being.” It acknowledges our shared history while moving us closer to a more equitable and faithful future.
The creation of a Reparative Justice Financial Board by the Bishop of New Jersey will ensure transparency, equity, and accountability in the stewardship of these funds. We encourage the Board to review a wide range of sources including a percentage of existing trust funds, a portion of the sale of new properties, and organizational or individual bequests. Furthermore, we affirm the critical role of the Reparations Commission in collaborating with diocesan leadership to address systemic change beyond monetary compensation, including how we structure ministry, share leadership, develop leaders for lay and ordained ministry, and uphold justice throughout the Diocese. This resolution is about truth-telling, healing, and transformation. Reparations are not about guilt but about responsibility. We take this step as followers of Christ, committed to the Gospel’s call to repair what is broken.
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Jolyon G. R. Pruszinski, Ph.D.
Reparations Commission Historian
Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey
