faith & racial equity - exploring power & privilege

This is a program offered through “Just Faith Ministries, a nonprofit organization that forms, informs, and transforms people of faith by offering programs and resources that sustain them in their compassionate commitment to build a more just and peaceful world.”  https://justfaith.org/  

The study includes 9 sessions which will be facilitated by parishioners with day or evening options.

Monday daytime sessions:
Sessions begin Monday, February 1 and run every Monday for 9 weeks.
Session 1- February 1 - 10:00a.m. to 1:00p.m.
Sessions 2 -9 - February 8 - March 22, 10:30a.m. to 1:00p.m.
These sessions will be facilitated by Shery Maier and Bernie Smith.
To register, send an email request to Shery Maier at sheryannmaier@comcast.net.

Thursday evening sessions:
Sessions begin January 28 and run every Thursday evening through March 25 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.  The concluding session is on March 31 (Wednesday before Holy Thursday). Rotating facilitators for these sessions are Trish Nishio, Margaret Hellen and Sister Jean Schafer.
To register, send an email request to Sister Jean Schafer at Schafer.sds@gmail.com

Email the facilitators today! The deadline to join is January 20th!

You will need to order the following books and have them available by Feb. 15th:

• White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo
• I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown
• 40 Days of Prayer by Cheri Mills

NOTE: You may find bargains on such sites as Amazon, where used books are available.

"I appreciate that Divine Savior has sponsored our Just Faith-Faith and Racial Equity small faith group. The materials and resources JF provides are interesting and on point. The guidance given to the facilitators kept the group prayerfully on track. I have never considered myself to be racist and I think the majority of white folks would say the same. Over the years my self opinion has never really been challenged. But now, especially in the age of cell phone videos, I have wondered how did we get to where we are with race relations. The JF seminar has educated me on the roots of our systemic racism in this country. From studying first hand accounts of slaves on the underground railway, government promotion of racist laws and policies,  modern blacks' accounts of aggression in their daily life, and many other issues, this is an experience that has changed my perceptions. Hopefully this will help me to be a very small voice in countering racism in my part of the world." - Margaret Hellen, parishioner

"I was looking at ways to live my faith better.  I really had not taken time to challenge my belief systems and see if I was truly living a faithful and purposeful life. I signed up for the Just Faith small faith group: "Faith and Racial Equity: Exploring Power and Privilege."  I came into the group thinking I was knowledgeable about racial justice and equity.   I learned truths about racial inequities that were new to me, disturbing, and heartbreaking.  Through this course, I learned that racial injustice continues to permeate our institutions, educational, judicial, labor systems, the housing market, media, and even our faith-based institutions. For example, I learned about the "School to Prison Pipeline," which refers to racially discriminatory school policies that result in a disproportionate number of black students ending up in the prison system. I started connecting the dots. At times I felt vulnerable as I realized that I had been blind to racial inequities in so many ways.  The group members were so supportive and empathetic as I shared stories and experiences of my  biases; both conscious and unconscious.  In reading scriptures, course materials, and through discussion, I recognized that my biases and belief systems were based on misinformation, misunderstanding, and my disengagement. Through God's grace, I am now living my faith with a more open heart and mind and walking with those that advocate for racial justice and equity.  I am immensely grateful for this experience and look forward to more like opportunities."  -Trish Nishio, Parishoner