By Heidi J. Kim and Joe McDaniel Jr.

The Deputies of Color (DOC) is an umbrella group of diocesan-elected deputies who identify with the four ethnic groups represented in the Presiding Bishop’s Office of Ethnic Missioners: Asiamerica Ministries, African Descent Ministries, Indigenous Ministries, and Latino Ministries.

The DOC recently held its in-person pre-General Convention meeting in Louisville, Kentucky, to discuss, among other things, its legislative priorities and resolutions that it will collectively support at the General Convention. The question some may ask: Why does the DOC need to work together? Deputy Joe McDaniel (JM) from the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast and Deputy Heidi Kim (HK) from the Episcopal Church in Minnesota met recently to discuss these questions.

HK: Joe, please share more about why the Deputies of Color work together.

JM: Firstly, working together allows us to amplify our voices and have a stronger collective impact. When we join forces, our experiences, grievances, and demands become more visible and difficult to ignore. By coming together, we can create a powerful movement that demands attention, challenges the status quo, and pushes for meaningful change. This solidarity helps magnify our influence and increases the likelihood of addressing the structural barriers and discrimination we face in the church.

Secondly, collaborating across caucuses creates a sense of unity and fosters empathy and understanding. By recognizing shared struggles and intersecting forms of oppression, we can build solidarity and support one another. This mutual support generates empathy and fosters a broader understanding of diverse experiences, which can lead to a more inclusive church.

Moreover, working together promotes inclusivity and ensures that no voice goes unheard. We often face exclusion and isolation due to societal biases. By actively including diverse perspectives, experiences, and opinions, our collective efforts become representative of society. This inclusivity is essential for our aspiring goals to create lasting, equitable change within the church.

Furthermore, collaboration enables us to pool our resources and expertise. Sharing knowledge, skills, and strategies can be empowering and beneficial. By combining our strengths and resources, we can work more effectively toward our shared goals, leveraging each other’s skills and knowledge to achieve greater impact on church policies.

HK: Thank you! Given the church’s priority of Becoming Beloved Community, this framing of collaboration and mutual support seems especially important. How does this collaboration show up in the work of the General Convention?

JM: Working together enhances the potential for long-lasting systemic change. As members of traditionally marginalized communities, we have faced deep-rooted structural discrimination and inequality within the church. Tackling these systemic issues requires collective effort and sustained action. By collaborating, we can challenge these structures more effectively and address the interconnected nature of oppression. Together, we can advocate for policy changes, push for legislative reforms, and challenge discriminatory practices within the church.

JM: Can you tell me what your experience was like and what you gained from attending the DOC meeting in Louisville?

HK: As a former member of the presiding bishop’s staff, I had attended the General Convention as an observer, but knew that I had a steep learning curve of engaging this ministry as a deputy. The presentations, opportunities to meet with veteran deputies like yourself, and network with DOC from across The Episcopal Church was invaluable. Not only did I receive answers to naive questions I may have been nervous about asking, I left the meeting feeling much more confident that I could engage GC81 more effectively to represent my diocese, my caucus, and the church that I love. 

JM: Can you speak to the interconnectivity between the caucuses’ experiences of oppression and marginalization?

HK: It was humbling to be present with DOC from so many places across the church. I am always enriched whenever the former vice president of the House of Deputies, the Hon. Byron Rushing, teaches and preaches about the origins of The Episcopal Church in the United States. It is vitally important for all Episcopalians to understand how inextricably entwined our churches, governance, and theology were with the institution of slavery. If we truly want to embody the fullness of Beloved Community, we cannot do so without acknowledging, confessing, and repenting from the sinfulness of our past. We need to continually “persevere in resisting evil, and whenever we fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord.” 

As a Korean American immigrant, it was deeply moving to me when the DOC collectively signed a letter condemning anti-Asian hate prior to the 80th General Convention. What that said to me is that the DOC understood the ways in which the sins of racism and white supremacy impact all of the Body of Christ; the inter-group solidarity of the DOC serves as an inspiration and source of hope for other marginalized individuals. 

HK: What else would you like the rest of the church to know about the collaborative work of the DOC?

JM: When people can witness others standing up against oppression and making progress, it encourages them to join the fight and remain resilient in their pursuit of justice. The support and collective action demonstrated by different marginalized communities provide other marginalized individuals with strength, community, and the belief that change is possible, even within the church.

In conclusion, it is vital for the DOC to work together for numerous reasons. Collaboration amplifies our voices, promotes empathy and understanding, fosters inclusivity, pools resources and expertise, enhances systemic change, and inspires hope. By uniting our efforts, the DOC can challenge oppression, create inclusive societies, and strive toward a more equitable future. 

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Heidi J. Kim is a first-time deputy to General Convention from the Episcopal Church in Minnesota, the secretary of the Asian American/Pacific Islander caucus, and serves as a consultant for Episcopal parishes and dioceses.

Joe McDaniel Jr. is a member of The Episcopal Church’s Executive Council and serves as the convener for the Deputies of Color. He also serves as the co-chair for the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast’s Commission on Racial Justice and  Reconciliation.