Over a dozen Evanston congregations join forces to support Reparations

On June 13, 2022, at noon at Fountain Square (1601 Sherman) in Evanston over a dozen congregations across faith traditions will launch their combined efforts to support reparations in Evanston. These congregations, most of which are historically white, are committing to four areas of support

1. Education and atonement on structural racism.
2. Educating our own communities about racism within our religious communities. These may include, but are not limited to: storytelling programs in which Black residents can share their stories of discrimination and White residents can share their stories of privilege; we can learn about racism in Evanston through the work of Shorefront Legacy Center and its director, Dino Robinson; and congregations can share the history of racism in their communities.
3. Educate our community about the reparations’ efforts in Evanston, including understanding how the two funds—the City of Evanston fund and the Reparations Community Fund—will raise funds, how those funds will be distributed, and who has the authority to make decisions about fund distributions.
4. Raise money to support the reparations efforts in Evanston, including the Evanston Reparations Community Fund, which is the fiscal agent for Reparations Stakeholders of Evanston. In January 2023, we will total and celebrate contributions and pledges made through our efforts and encourage that support to be ongoing.

Participating congregations: Beth Emet The Free Synagogue, Buddhist Council of the Midwest, Evanston Friends Meeting, First Congregational Church of Evanston, First United Methodist Church, Grace Lutheran Church, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation, St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Wilmette, Lake Street Church of Evanston, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Northminster Presbyterian Church, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, United Catholic Youth Ministries (Catholic Parishes), Unitarian Church of Evanston. Livestreamed at facebook.com/bethemetsynagogue/.

Questions may be directed to Rev. Kathryn Banakis, Rector, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Evanston (847.475.3630, [email protected]).