To all the beloved faithful in the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont:
The Episcopal Church is seeking demographic information about all its members on the parochial report form, which leaders in each congregation fill out annually. To assist congregational leaders in completing the 2022 Parochial Report, we have prepared a simple survey that each member or head of household in our diocese can complete. The Parochial Report must be completed by March 1, so please complete this survey by January 22.
The 2022 Parochial Report asks questions about the racial and ethnic demographics of each congregation. The categories are as follows:
- American Indian/Alaska Native (non-Hispanic)
- Asian (non-Hispanic)
- Black or African American (non-Hispanic)
- Hispanic or Latino(a)
- Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander (non-Hispanic)
- White (non-Hispanic)
- Multiracial
For our own diocesan survey, we have expanded these categories and provided more space for self-identification so that all members of our communities are represented in the most accurate possible way.
Why is The Episcopal Church asking for this information?
Racial demographics are critical for the church in making policy decisions that will promote racial justice, conciliation, and healing to work towards God’s Beloved Community.
How should you answer the question on race?
You are invited to answer the question based on the way you prefer to self-identify. You may mark as many categories as you like to describe you and the other people in your household.
What is meant by race?
Racial categories included in census questionnaires like this one generally reflect a social definition of race recognized in this country, and not an attempt to define race biologically, anthropologically, or genetically. People may choose to report more than one race to indicate their racial mixture, such as “American Indian” and “White.” People who identify their origin as Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish may be of any race. In addition, we recognize that the categories of the race item include both racial and national origin or socio-cultural groups.
How should multiracial individuals respond to the question on race?
People who identify with more than one race may choose to provide multiple races in response to the race question. For example, if a respondent identifies as “Asian” and “White,” they may respond to the question on race by checking the appropriate boxes that describe their racial identities and/or writing in these identities on the spaces provided.
Additional notes for congregational leaders:
For purposes of the Parochial Report, the additional categories that the Diocese of Vermont has included on its survey will need to be reported within the Parochial Report categories (see below). When we submit the Diocesan Report, we will include information from our more complete survey and provide feedback about including expanded categories in future Parochial Reports.
- American Indian/Alaska Native (non-Hispanic)
- Specified Nations or Tribes will not be included on the Parochial report
- Asian (non-Hispanic) Specified South Asian or East Asian identities will not be included on the Parochial Report
- Black or African American (non-Hispanic) While our survey allows for differentiated “Black” and “African American” identities, the Parochial Report does not. Those who identify as African or Caribbean will be reported as “Black or African American (non-Hispanic) on the Parochial Report.
- Hispanic or Latino(a)
- Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander (non-Hispanic)
- White (non-Hispanic)
- Multiracial Specified multiracial identities will not be included on the Parochial Report
- Other Those who do not identify as any of the provided categories will not be included in the Racial/Ethnic section of the Parochial Report. We will note omitted identities in the Diocesan Report
The categories used in the Episcopal Church’s Parochial Report are based on the categories of the Faith Communities Today (FACT) survey, the most comprehensive survey of congregations in the United States. This allows for comparison with other denominations and faiths. The categories used in the Diocese of Vermont’s survey are based on the FACT survey, but are expanded in response to our local context.
The following video presentation by the Honorable Byron Rushing may be helpful:
The Honorable Byron Rushing served as a member of The Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1983 to 2019. He was also a member of the House of Deputies of the General Convention of the Episcopal Church for 16 General Conventions, from 1973 to 2022. He served as Vice President of the House of Deputies from 2015 to 2022, as a member of the Executive Council, and was the first layperson to serve as a Chaplain to the House of Deputies, in 1994.