Explanation

When Barbara Harris was confirmed in the Episcopal Church as a young girl the bishop wore gloves so his hands would not have to touch the heads of the black people he was confirming. Despite this demeaning and undeniably racist "welcome" to the church, Barbara Harris was undeterred in her commitment to Christ, living her life as a powerful example of faith, both as dedicated and engaged lay woman and as the first woman bishop in the Anglican Communion. Her humble but unrelenting and heroic witness to those on the margins of the church and larger society, her warmth and generous spirit and her tireless energy and humor made her one of the most beloved and noteworthy bishops in the church, if not the world. In the eyes of God, Bishop Barbara Harris was an inspiration to Episcopalians and others as a follower of Jesus, servant of God and the church, and lover of justice and peace.

​The criterion for inclusion: “Before a commemoration is included in the Calendar, proposers must establish that significant, enduring local and regional commemoration in corporate worship exists.” Local observances will occur on Sunday March 13, 2022 and subsequent March 13ths in the Diocese of New Jersey according to liturgical materials to be provided to Trinity Cathedral and all 140 congregations of the diocese. In the past year in the wider Episcopal Church, commemorations have occurred in the Diocese of Massachusetts at St. Paul’s Cathedral and seven parishes; the Diocese of California at Grace Cathedral; the Diocese of Los Angeles; the National Union of Black Episcopalians; the Diocese of Western Massachusetts; the Diocese of Missouri; and others. Sixteen dioceses have passed resolutions that are similar to this resolution to ask the 80th General Convention to include Bishop Barbara Clementine Harris in the Calendar of the Church Year to be celebrated on March 13. By the time of General Convention in 2022 there will have been another year (two years in some places) of commemorations throughout the Church.