Rest, Racial Justice, and Spiritualities of Repair: The Role of Rest in Ecclesial Vocations to Racial Justice

This paper builds on a research project with New-England based congregations to explore the role of rest and Sabbath-keeping in vocations to racial justice and repair. Since 2018, several congregations with the project have identified racial justice as a primary vocation, embodying this calling through various initiatives, including learning about racial oppression, examining ecclesial histories and problematic theologies, participating in racial equity trainings, and making financial reparations. At the same time, congregations underscore the importance of rest, both in sustaining racial justice work and as a means of reparation. Drawing on interviews and congregation-authored materials, this paper considers the vital role of rest in pursuing callings to racial justice. It begins by briefly contextualizing congregations’ racial justice journeys. It then presents key ways congregations are practicing rest as a means of renewal, resistance, and repair. It concludes by reflecting on the significance of rest in spiritualities of repair and reparation.