Regarding George Floyd’s death and the aftermath from America Magazine:
“It is not quite correct that the church should not “take sides” in conflicts. True, the church is not and should not be political in the sense that is beholden to an ideology or political party. But the church absolutely is called to take sides: the side of peace, of the marginalized, of the powerless crying out. These are what and who belong to God.”
Join us for an Engaging JustFaith Ministries Program!
“Faith & Racial Equity: Exploring Power & Privilege” Returns for a Second Run: Starts Sunday, August 2, 2020 @ 7:30pm
Faith & Racial Equity: Exploring Power & Privilege is an 8-week series of sessions offered by JustFaith Ministries* that awakens groups to the economic systems, public policies, cultural norms, and hidden biases that empower some and oppress others.
The first half of the program sessions introduces a framework for understanding and recognizing racial disparities in power and privilege. Sessions 5-8 take a deeper dive into specific issues related to power and privilege, including affirmative action, the school-to-prison pipeline, the criminal justice system, and powerful biases in media representation. As with all JustFaith programs, participants will explore how their faith should inform their response to their learning, as well as discern action steps for working toward racial equity in their own communities.
*Please note that this series is not for the faint of heart! The program is designed for participants who are willing to wrestle with hard questions and take an honest look at their own attitudes, assumptions, and choices. However, through spiritual grounding and community-building, participants find support and belonging throughout their journey to personal transformation and social action.
Zoom Sessions
Each weekly virtual session via Zoom is approximately two hours, which includes prayer, dialogue, active listening, and relationship-building. Some sessions may include videos and/or a guest speaker. JustFaith Ministries recommends that a group be approximately eight to fifteen people.
Resources
Participants read two books that will challenge them with stories and concepts to transform their understanding of racism and privilege in their local and national contexts. A third book guides them in a weekly spiritual practice. During each session, videos and short articles provide the basis for conversation and learning, while songs, prayers, and liturgies ground participants in a sense of belonging and spiritual family. Click here for the book list.
Immersion and Retreat
In order to build community and Scriptural grounding, this session also includes a one-day retreat, during which participants join in prayer, introspective reflection, and holy conversation around their personal experiences with race and privilege.
The immersion connects participants with community organizations already engaged in racial justice efforts. This real-world experience guides groups in discerning how they can put their learning into action.
• How to sign up: Email Colm McGarry, our pastoral minister.
• Session Schedule via Zoom: Eight consecutive Sundays, 7:30 – 9:30pm, beginning August 2, 2020. (Zoom link will be sent to participants in advance.)
• Materials (Books et al) Cost: $40./per person
—————————————————————-
*JustFaith is an intensive, small-group process for faithful Christians looking to deepen their commitment to care for vulnerable people and our planet. Through prayer, study, dialogue, and immersions, participants form community as they explore critical realities and their implications to their lives and their faith. JustFaith is designed for use in diverse Christian communities. Learn more about JustFaith Ministries and their work here.
______________________________________
Additional Resources from USCCB (click on Title link):
Prayer Service for Racial Healing in Our Land
God of Heaven and Earth,
you created the one human family
and endowed each person with great dignity.Aid us, we pray, in overcoming the sin of racism.
Grant us your grace in eliminating this blight
from our hearts, our communities,
our social and civil institutions.Fill our hearts with love for you and our neighbor
so that we may work with you
in healing our land from racial injustice.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
We have prayed and now, with changed hearts, let us move our feet to action.
