The Rev. Lisa A Green, rector of St. Martin’s, Williamsburg (4th from left, bottom row), holds the award for Outstanding Faith-Based Organization presented on by the Virginia Racial Healing Institute. Also pictured, Deacon Darlene Jackson (front row, left), formerly at St. Martin’s and now serving at St. Cyprian’s in Hampton.

The Rev. Lisa A. Green, rector of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, accepted the Table Builders Award for Outstanding faith-based Organization during the National Day of Racial Healing on January 16.

The award, presented by the Virginia Racial Healing Institute, recognizes Greater Williamsburg organizations that are working to correct historical narratives and to foster truth-telling. St. Martin’s award is in recognition of its commitment to work collaboratively with community and faith organizations towards racial healing and reconciliation.

“I keep thinking of our founders and how this award symbolizes what they sought and hoped to achieve 60 years ago when they began this parish,” Green said. “I’m honored and humbled that the work of so many of our parishioners is being recognized.”

Founded in 1963 as a church open to all, St. Martin’s hosts a monthly gathering sponsored by All Together Williamsburg, a local bridge-building organization, and a monthly men’s fellowship breakfast in partnership with Historic First Baptist Church. More than twenty years ago under the leadership of former Rector Pickett Miles, St. Martin’s partnered with St. Cyprian’s, Hampton for “Rowing Together to Overcome Racism.”

Several parishioners served on the diocesan Anti-Racism task force, the predecessor of the Repairers of the Breach Committee of which current Green is co-chair.