Southern Virginia to honor enslaved Africans with service of lament and repair, reinterment of remains
[Episcopal News Service] As part of its yearslong effort in reckoning with its history of racism and role in upholding slavery, the Diocese of Southern Virginia has hosted a series of events throughout 2026 centered around reconciliation and repentance. “We always say we want to repent, but you can’t repent if you haven’t lamented first. So, this is our season of lament.” Many of the descendants still live in the Williamsburg area, though others live elsewhere. Loretta Burwell, for example, lives in Atlanta, Georgia. A descendant of the Burwell family, she is a lay Episcopal elder who has been involved with archival research and repatriation efforts. “[Burwell’s] been very faithful, and she has told us that she considers this work her gift to her ancestors,” Brown said. The task force regularly hosts racial healing workshops and other educational events that foster empathy and encourage…
