About REPAIR

In an increasingly diverse America, race continues to divide us because of unconscious bias, willful blindness, deeply ingrained systems of oppression, and the burdens of history we have yet to address. Founded April 29, 2105, Rivertowns Episcopal Parishes Action on Inclusion and Race (REPAIR) is a community of Westchester citizens determined to play our part in bringing healing and justice to our society . . . starting with the local Episcopal churches in which many of us worship.

REPAIR's mission: Addressing racial justice in the Westchester rivertowns. Our activities include: continuing education and dialogue; self-evaluation of our churches and their inclusion practices; studying our local communities and supporting community groups working for racial justice; and offering Christian witness on behalf of inclusion and racial justice.

REPAIR is led by an informal, self-selected group of laypeople and clergy from all of the communities served by our churches. We welcome people of all faith traditions, spiritual seekers, and those with no spiritual or religious affiliation.

Our Organizing Committee

Samuel Bethea

Born in Dillon, South Carolina, Samuel Bethea is a Vietnam era Air Force veteran. After earning degrees in history and education, and a professional diploma in school district administration, he worked in the Bronx for 28 years as a teacher and school administrator. He is a member of Grace Episcopal Church in Ossining.

Carolyn Black

Carolyn Black has been music director at Grace Church, Ossning (formerly St. Paul’s on the Hill) for 30 years, as well as founder of St. Paul’s Youth Music After School Program and Summer Music Camp. She was one of ten African American women to integrate the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and went on to teach Choral Music and Theater Arts at Ossining High School for 27 years.

Rev. Gareth Evans

Gareth is the rector of the Church of St Barnabas, Irvington. Ordained in 1996, Gareth has more than 20 years of parish experience, having served in five churches in both the Church of England and the Diocese of Massachusetts, most recently as the rector of The Church of the Good Shepherd in Acton, Massachusetts.

Janice Landrum

A retired English teacher, Janice is a volunteer and board member of the Community Food Pantry of Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown. She also serves as president of the Hudson Chorale. Her home parish is All Saints' Briarcliff Manor.

Ginny Loughlin

Ginny is a non-profit consultant, specializing in leadership transitions and organizational effectiveness. She lives in Ossining, where she is a committed community volunteer. Her home parish is All Saints Episcopal Church in Briarcliff Manor.

Dennis Parker

Dennis is executive director of the National Center for Law and Economic Justice. He previously served as director of the ACLU’s Racial Justice Program. He publishes and lectures extensively about civil rights and is an adjunct professor at New York Law School. Dennis is a member of Grace Episcopal Church in Ossining.

Kevin Veitinger

Kevin is the rector of All Saints’ Church in Briarcliff Manor. He hails from the South, where he spent the better part of 20 years in pastoral service. In addition to his time serving small and large churches, he has been a campus minister, church planter, missioner with the homeless, and a touring punk rock drummer.

Karl Weber

Karl is a writer, editor, and publisher of nonfiction books who has worked with authors incuding former president Jimmy Carter and Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus. He attends the Church of St Barnabas in Irvington.