Summer 2020 Discussion Series
First Zoom Session on Saturday, July 25, at 10am ** scroll down to register
In an effort to make some space in our congregation for learning, conversation, and Christian education about race and racism, we’ll be starting a four-week Zoom discussion series this summer. The goal here is to come together in a spirit of grace, humility, and mutual respect, to begin addressing some of the hard questions about the problem of racism that hold human spirits and systems in bondage. What failures do we need to own? What good news, and what challenges, does the gospel bring? What part might we play in God’s work of healing and redemption?
If you want to get started, you can download a resource (PDF) from Sojourners magazine that we’ll be using as our primary curriculum (see link below). This is divided into four sections, and we will follow this order as we work through our four discussion sessions. Even if you don’t end up participating in this series, I hope that you’ll give this resource a prayerful look.
Here are some resources that I recommend, beginning with the Sojourners discussion guide:
Christians and Racial Justice
A discussion guide from Sojourners magazine which we will use as our primary curriculum for conversations. This is divided into four sections. Even if you aren’t able to participate in the discussion sessions, I encourage you to read this and wrestle with some of the questions that it raises. If you don’t agree with everything, or if something leaves you feeling unsettled, remember that this is a good thing! Use it as an opportunity to reflect on the need to step outside of our comfort zones as we search for the divine together.
https://sojo.net/sites/default/files/wysiwyg/DG_racialjustice.pdf
Reflections on the Life of a Black Man in America
A reflection on the present crisis by the Reverend Chester Hines, Jr., a Deacon in the Episcopal Church who grew up in the south in the Jim Crow era. You can read online at: https://www.diocesemo.org/news/2020/06/04/reflections-life-black-man-america
George Floyd and Me
An essay by Shai Linne, a Christian hip-artist and the co-founder of a church in inner-city Philadelhia. You can read online at: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/george-floyd-and-me/
Holy Post – Race in America
A video presentation by Phil Vischer, one of the co-creators of VeggieTales. A thoughtful and faithful 17-minute consideration of some of the root problems for those who are struggling to understand. As Phil writes: “Why are people angry? Why so upset? Didn't we elect a black president? Pass civil rights laws? Isn't racism illegal now? Three years ago my brother Rob and I co-taught a class that discussed issues of racial injustice. That class turned into a popular podcast episode, which we've now turned into this video. Why are people still angry? Let's take a look at race in America . . .” I highly encourage folks to watch this video: https://youtu.be/AGUwcs9qJXY
-Pastor Jonathan