On Nov. 5, 2023, Dr. Laura Hernandez-Ehrisman and members of the Racial Justice Committee facilitated a discussion of an Acknowledgement Statement that has been created on behalf of St. David’s, which references the land and Indigenous peoples connected to the geographical location of our church as well as the enslavement of African peoples in the early years of the church's formation. Particular focus was given to the importance of such statements in the ongoing work of racial justice and healing.
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St. David’s Acknowledgment Statement
As a church that strives to be a diverse, inclusive Christian community, we recognize that we have fallen short of this goal. We acknowledge the sacred ground where we worship is the ancestral land of the Jumanos, Tonkawa, Lipan Apache, Coahuiltecan, and Comanche peoples. We recognize and offer respect to the historic Indigenous communities and to Indigenous individuals and communities who continue to live here.
We also acknowledge and feel deep sorrow that enslaved people labored in our historic church, and that members of our parish did not recognize the full humanity of people of color. Members of our parish enslaved people and owned plantations. We acknowledge that our church and city were founded in the wake of a war with Mexico that further entrenched slavery in Texas and marginalized those of Mexican descent.
We acknowledge Austin’s history, remembering that for decades, people of color have been forced into segregation. We remember that Episcopal churches were segregated in our city and in our diocese. We acknowledge the ongoing displacement gentrification plays in the communities of people of color. We acknowledge the pain and suffering of our brothers and sisters of color who have been discriminated against in the criminal legal system.
We recognize the harms caused by white supremacy and racism at all levels. We acknowledge the many advantages the church has received from the land and labor of those who came before us.
Help us, God, to seek justice and freedom for all those who live among us. Guide us to see with your eyes the full worth of all human beings. We commit to unraveling the harms caused by racism on both personal and systemic levels and will make reparations when and where we can, using our time and resources to seek justice for all. We commit to promote and to facilitate racial healing.
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