From staff reports
Mark Elliston, the vicar at Christ Episcopal Church in Oil City, recently presented a $500 donation to the scholarship fund of the Together We Can organization of Venango County.
The donation came from a commission representing the Episcopal Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania and Western New York with the goal of dismantling racism and discrimination.
Together We Can’s “mission statement goes hand-in-hand with the commission’s, which is “to build a community of acceptance and diversity,” according to a press release from Christ Episcopal Church.
The release also notes that the school diversity clubs “provide a safe space where students can discuss and learn about cultural differences without judgment.”
In addition to being actively involved with students, Together We Can “is expanding its focus to the adults through ‘Courageous Conversations’ to be led by a facilitator that will help the attendees participate in a discussion of enlightenment rather than judgment,” the release said.
Elliston and Christ Episcopal congregant Joseph Croskey serve on the commission for the Northwestern Pennsylvania and Western New York dioceses and “have been involved in training seminars, programs and community conversations in an effort to promote greater understanding that will further reconciliation and justice for all people,” according to the press release.
Elliston has actively participated in organizing regional seminars for the dioceses’ commission as well as attending events and conversations hosted by Together We Can.
