Faith and Racial Equity: Exploring Power and Privilege is an 8-session program of 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 introduces a framework for understanding and recognizing racial disparities by looking at power and privilege and how they contribute to racial injustice. Sessions 5-8 take a deeper dive into specific issues related to power and privilege, including affirmative action, lack of equal access to educational opportunities, disparities within 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 work toward racial equity in their own communities.

The program comes with the following warning: Please note that “Faith and Racial Equity” 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.

The program will begin on Wednesday, September 30, 6:00-8:30 pm on Zoom and conclude on November 18. Facilitator is Paula Gaylord. Several books will provide content (including I’m Still Here by Austin Channing Brown and White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo) along with videos. All sessions will include prayer and reflection, reading and discussion, dialogue and active listening.

There will be an information meeting on zoom on Wednesday, September 9 at 7:00 to provide additional information and to answer questions. Please RSVP to the church office by September 8 to attend the information meeting.  The deadline to register for the program is September 13, also through the church office.