A Dialogue on Racism, Tuesday, Oct. 6 & Oct. 20, 7PM
For Zoom info contact: Denise Cole
The Social Ministry has met a few times to discuss our initiatives to address fighting against racism in our hearts, our church, and our community. We are excited to undertake multiple activities to advance our understanding and fighting racism.
First, we are planning a series of ZOOM workshops about anti-racism called “Freed in Christ: Race, Ethnicity and Culture – A Conversation on Race, Ethnicity and Culture.” After this discussion series is complete the participants will recommend whether the program should be offered to additional groups within our church.
The series is divided into six to eight meetings where a course designed by the ELCA will be used to explore and challenge our individual and church perceptions and responses to race, ethnicity and culture. The sessions contain small and large group activities, discussions and homework that will be used in the later part of the program. This small group of attendees has committed to attend the entire program, meeting the first Tuesday of each month for about an hour. The course is based on the ELCA’s Social Statement, “Freed in Christ: Race, Ethnicity and Culture,” adopted by the Churchwide Assembly in 1993.
Using the words found in “A Guide for Leading Conversations on Race, Ethnicity, and Culture in Your Congregation,” the AIM of this guided discussion is:
- To use the contents of the ELCA’s Social Statement Freed in Christ: Race, Ethnicity, and Culture as a tool to guide conversations on race relations, ethnicity, and culture; and what it means to be a public church that values all people.
- To confront the costs of narrowness, racism, and exclusivity with repentance and appreciate and celebrate the benefits of racial and cultural diversity in the Church.
- To seek ways to help the congregation commit to a celebration of racial and cultural diversity, a valuing of all people and an action on behalf of and in support of social justice for all.
Second, Social Ministry meets on the third Tuesday of each month to discuss other activities about antiracism. Please contact Denisemcole@earthlink.net if you would like to join us. Finally, if you can’t make a meeting but are curious to learn (and do) more, read the pledge at the link below and prayerfully consider signing it https://elca.org/racialjusticepledge
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to Denise Cole.