Resources for Michael Brown
Resource for Hosting a Racial Justice Conversation
This resource is based on a staff-wide conversation on “What is the Church to do with #Ferguson, #MichaelBrown and #HandsUpDontShoot?” that took place at the Presbyterian Center. It includes the opening and closing prayers, framing for the conversation and review of mutual invitation, forming small groups for discussion, and more to help Presbyterians engage in anti-racism work in congregations, Mid Councils, and across the church. Click here to download the resource.
Facing Racism: A Vision of the Beloved Community
In response to actions of the General Assembly, the Initiative Team on Racism and Racial Violence examined the contemporary problem of racism in the light of biblical, theological, and ethical principles that will guide and inform a vision of “The Beloved Community” as the PC(USA) positions itself to carry on the struggle for racial justice in the next century. Download Resource
Building the Beloved Community Assessment Tool
The "Building the Beloved Community--Congregational Assessment tool" is adapted from the antiracism facilitators' training manual. It is designed to assist congregations in initiating conversations about race and cultural diversity in their own contexts. Download Resource
Pastoral Letter
Written by Sera Chung, associate for gender and racial justice. Download the letter here.
Reflection & Study Resources
The Women of Color Consultation Task Force Report - Hearing and Singing New Songs to God: Shunning Old Discords and Sharing New Harmonies
The Women of Color Consultation Task Force Report was approved at 218th General Assembly. Some highlights of the report include:
A call for transformation of the church, focusing on the intersections of gender, race and class.
Direct the General Assembly Mission Council, in consultation with Advocacy Committee for Racial Ethnic Concerns and Advocacy Committee for Women’s Concerns, to expand on the basic antiracism training to include modules on the intersectionality of race, gender and class and provide focused training on internalized oppression and privilege.
Seek inclusivity with equity: moving beyond tokenism in the participation of women of color of all ages to valuing and embracing the gifts they bring to the life of the whole church.
Adopting an understanding of shared power as a fundamental element of community.
Presbyterians and civil rights
Discover the legacy of Black Presbyterians
Learn about the contributions of Black Presbyterians as they worked to shape the consciousness of the Presbyterian denomination. Be challenged by their call to be a witness to God’s desire for a just and free society, open and inclusive to all. Listen to the successes and failures experienced by Black Presbyterians in their efforts to become full participants in the household of God.
The DVD, “Black Presbyterians: The Legacy Series,” features three fifteen-minute segments that tell the stories of Black Presbyterians active during the Civil Rights Movement.
Well Chosen Words
Well Chosen Words is a guide to understanding and using inclusive language, developed by the Racial Ethnic and Women’s Ministries/PW ministry area in consultation with the Advocacy Committee on Women’s Concerns, cites Galatians 3:27-28 in which Paul asserts, “As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourself with Christ ... for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.” Inclusive language allows all God’s children to be one in Christ Jesus.
The guide encourages language choices that proclaim the fullness of God, outlining traditional depictions as well as newer images to describe God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Download Resource
The Racial Ethnic Torch
Summer 2015
In this issue of the Racial Ethnic Torch, we preview Big Tent 2015 and lift up the work that Racial Ethnic & Women's Ministries, and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) as a whole, is doing as we strive to be more culturally humble. We explore the importance of using inclusive and expansive language, and the impact that power, privilege and justice in our lives and in society, and in our antiracism work. Read online or download here.
