What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8).
This group meets each Wednesday online at 8pm. All are invited to join the conversation and/or access our resources for learning and taking action (see below). Our goals include learning how to be anti-racist and about white privilege, racial justice, etc.; changing public and private policies/programs/systems to promote racial justice; and increasing diversity of Augustana Lutheran Church and our respective communities.
Book Club – Dear Church by Lenny Duncan
On the last Wednesday evening of each from (April-July), we will be discussing the book Dear Church: A Love Letter from a Black Preacher to the Whitest Denomination in the US by Lenny Duncan. Together we’ll read, learn, and discuss 3 chapters each month. One way we can be an anti-racist congregation is by listening to Black folks and paying them for their work. Buying Dear Church is a great way to support the Rev. Lenny Duncan and buying from a local bookstore (like Solid State) is even better! Let me, Audrey McIntosh, (ajecrm@gmail.com) know if you’re interested, and if you need a copy of the book, let Valerie McCray (office@augustanadc.org) know.
Meeting details: We’ll meet virtually on the last Wednesday of the month at 7:30pm (April-July). Our first book club will be on April 28, please read the introduction and chapters 1 and 2 (pages 1-36) before then.
Please let Audrey McIntosh know if you have any questions, and we look forward to seeing you soon!
Join OnlinePhone Information / Meeting ID
Committee Resources
- Google Drive folder – includes meeting agendas, resources, and action opportunities
- Anti-Racism Weekly Reflections [PDF]
- Social Ministry PowerPoint from 2021 Annual Congregational Meeting [PDF]
Selected Resources for Learning and Taking Action
“Race in America,” Parts 1 and 2, by Phil Vischer
- Christians against Christian Nationalism statement and webinar
- White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack (Peggy McIntonsh)
- NMAAHC webpage – Being Antiracist
- Whiteness (NMAAHC website)
- Social Identities and Systems of Oppression (NMAAHC website)
- NMAAHC’s webpage on community building
- Why The Church Isn’t Connecting With #BlackLivesMatter
- How Black Lives Matter is Changing the Church
- 6-video PBS series on Implicit Bias (PBS website, or through youtube below):
- Implicit Bias: Peanut Butter, Jelly and Racism (2:26)
- Implicit Bias: Check our Bias to Wreck our Bias (3:00)
- Implicit Bias: The Life-Changing Magic of Hanging Out (2:09)
- Implicit Bias: Why We’re Awkward (AKA the ’Sup?! video) (2:41)
- Implicit Bias: Snacks and Punishment (2:05)
- Implicit Bias: High Heels, Violins and a Warning (1:22)
Resources from the ELCA
- ELCA Anti-Racism Pledge
- ELCA reaffirms commitment to combat racism and white supremacy
- “Unpacking white privilege: The important work of making the church less harmful” (ELCA: January 17, 2020)
- Condemnation of White Supremacy and Racist Rhetoric (Social Policy Resolution CA19.04.18)
- Racial Justice (ELCA Resources)
- Scaffolding Anti-Racism Resources – a curated list of resources to facilitate growth for white folks to become allies, and eventually accomplices for anti-racist work.
2020 Virtual March on Washington (August 28, 2020)
“God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday (September 19, 2020)
- We want to share our commitment to anti-racism and our intention to act with Augustana’s neighbors. We currently have small Black Lives Matter yard signs in front of the church and are considering a large banner as well.