Dismantling Structural Racism - A Matthew 25 Commitment
Trinity Presbyterian Church is committed to dismantling structural racism in all its forms. This commitment is founded on the teachings of Christ, is affirmed in our congregation's mission & vision statements, and is illustrated through our work as part of the Matthew 25 Initiative. However, our mission and vision statements, however well-intentioned, do not dismantle structural racism or move our society to a place where Black Lives Matter is no longer controversial. We are called as a congregation to honor our commitment and do the hard, and often uncomfortable, work of being anti-racist.
Today I want to share with you some of the ways our congregation is working to do our part in this society-wide conversation. Additionally, I have several links to resources on race, racism, and racial equity. Finally, I want to share with you a statement from the General Council of John Calvin Presbytery which was published this morning. I am proud of the work I do on behalf of Trinity as a member of General Council, and I find great hope in the direction we are taking as the broader Church.
I know that we will make missteps in our efforts to work for justice. We will miss opportunities to act, and we will speak well-intentioned words that miss the mark. We must not let this knowledge deter us from acting, but rather humble us to the importance of this task. I am thankful to have you on this journey. If you would like to find a time to talk, please reach out.
Yours in service,
Pastor Chris
Ways Trinity is Working to Dismantle Structural Racism
We know the first step in dismantling structural racism is recognizing our own part in the system. Learning and listening are key ways for our predominantly white congregation to name our own privilege, open our eyes to the systems of discrimination in our society, and hear from our black and brown siblings how we can be good allies in this struggle. Here are some of the ways we are learning together:
The past two Sundays I have addressed race and racism as one element of my sermon. You can jump right to the scripture and sermon if you'd like to watch (or re-watch) using these links:
Pentecost Sunday Sermon (May 31, 2020)
Trinity Sunday Sermon (June 7, 2020)
I am planning several sessions of our Summer Adult Sunday School that will address race, racism, and our role as a predominantly white congregation. These sessions will be starting in the coming weeks, so be sure to check the newsletter for updates.
Earlier this year our Mission & Public Witness Committee began work on specific ways we can engage with our Matthew 25 commitment to work toward the dismantling of structural racism. While this work was put on hold the last couple months as we have responded to the immediate crisis of the pandemic, we have now returned to those conversations. We are in the planning stages for a congregation-wide activity later this year.
Ways You Can Learn More and Take Action
While collective action by our congregation is important, it is also vital for us each to engage in the work of being anti-racist on our own. Here are some resources.
The Presbyterian Church (USA) has compiled a fantastic collection of statements, articles, books, and more on Racial Justice. This list is updated frequently and is a great starting point.
The PCUSA Store has compiled a list of Anti-Racism Resources, including a number of books, that are available either for free download or purchase.
The film Just Mercy can be viewed for free this month on a number of online platforms. You can learn more and find questions for reflection from the Presbyterian Mission Agency.
Prayer is essential for us all in these days. For one starting point, consider exploring this new prayer which addresses both the pandemic and issues of justice: A Liturgy for a Time of Widespread Suffering.
This Sunday, June 14, Faith Voices of SW MO is organizing a COVID-safe, family friendly event called Let Justice Roll. It is a car procession for racial justice. Here is the flyer with all the details.
Statement from the John Calvin Presbytery General Council
To the Congregation of Gibson Chapel, All Members of John Calvin Presbytery, but especially those who are people of color,
We, the General Council of John Calvin Presbytery, are committed to dismantling structural racism in all its forms.
The belief that being white imbues people with superior skills, talents, and worth was woven into the founding of our nation. The atrocities committed in the name of white supremacy are numerous. From the evil of the decimation of native cultures, to slavery, to the Asian anti-immigration policies and the detaining of Japanese Americans, and the vilification of our Latinx brothers and sisters, our nation has a poor track record of honoring the beautiful diversity of humanity that God created and called good.
Unfortunately, the PC(USA) and our individual congregations have often accepted the cultural norms and acted in ignorance.
We are the Church Reformed and always being reformed by the work of the Holy Spirit. It is our sincere hope that we will truly be reformed in this time of social upheaval.
To that end we do sincerely apologize for every instance of racism in which we participated either intentionally or by omission.
We ask that all our congregants repent of our implicit bias against people who do not look like us. We ask that each one take into account their own hearts that we may indeed become one family under God.
We repent of our sins against our brothers and sisters of color who have suffered from racial inequalities and systems that value white lives over theirs. We strive to make equality a matter of the heart and not a slogan of platitudes.
We commit to working to reform our beliefs and our actions to more closely reflect God’s amazing love for all people. In so much as it is possible we ask that you pray for us to be shaped by the love of God to embrace all people whom God has made.
We have already begun work as a Matthew 25 presbytery. Many congregations have already committed to dismantling structural racism, but we pledge to do more.
General Council has also empowered a task force to focus our efforts in growing toward a better future in our relationships. We will also commit to revisiting this issue as a Presbytery through the coming years.
It is our hope that we will change our hearts, minds, and spirits to more closely follow Christ. It is our intent to move forward in a way that creates real and meaningful progress as we are led by the Holy Spirit.
We hope that you will accept our apology and work with us. We are praying for you in this time of crisis and for the times of crisis you have faced repeatedly. We refuse to simply repent without action. It is indeed sinful to hold one person in higher esteem than another. May we indeed further the idea that we are all equal in the eyes of God and each other.
We are honored that you are part of this Presbytery.
In Christ’s Love,
Reverend Jennifer Dawson
General Council Moderator
