The WSBC Adult Education Committee and the WSBC Denominational Relations Committee are offering several opportunities this month for education and growth around the subject of racial equity.
The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story
You are invited to join us in a discussion of The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story by Nikole Hannah-Jones. This book is an anthology of essays and poetry examining the history and impacts of slavery in America. We want to get started in February so we can add to our understanding of African American History and provide context for our current situation. We will meet online through Zoom on Wednesday evenings from 6:15-7:15 pm, on February 9, 23, March 9, 23. If you have questions, contact Robin Franklin (robin.franklin@gmail.com). To sign up, contact Esther Soud Parker at esther@wattsstreet.org.
White Too Long: The Legacy of White Supremacy in American Christianity
Interest has been expressed in forming a new small group to study the book White Too Long: The Legacy of White Supremacy in American Christianity by Robert P. Jones. If you are interested in participating in the new group, please contact Barb Rumer at barb.rumer@gmail.com for additional information.
Doing Our Work Through the Lens of Racial Justice
Our denominational partner, The Alliance for Baptists, has undertaken the five-year project, Churches that THRIVE for Racial Justice. The objective of this initiative is to use the lens of race as we, Alliance Baptists, participate in God’s Kingdom work. It aims to support churches in “[cultivating] a more-racially just church and world in their context.”
Joining with our Alliance Baptist family, and in an effort to support our own Racial Equity Initiative, Denominational Relations aims to inspire WSBC’s continued congregational reflection on where we are “in understanding systemic racism and its presence within ecclesial and society structures.” Therefore, the Denominational Relations Committee would like to celebrate Black History Month by sponsoring a Read a Book, Donate a Book Campaign during the month of February.
We’re asking WSBC readers, and want-to-be readers to choose works:
- From outstanding African American authors.
- Of any genre- novels, poetry, history, autobiography, memoir, theology.
Thoughtfully considering the spiritual formation of our children we:
- Request donations to our church library’s children’s section.
- Suggest choosing from award winning lists such as the Coretta Scott King Book Awards, or the curated Read in Color diverse recommended reading lists.
- https://littlefreelibrary.org/read-in-color-recommended-reading/
In support of our Little Free Library and reaching out to our neighborhood:
- Please consider placing an adult or children’s book in our Little Free Library.
- Remember you can take a book or share a book.
- Read in Color believes that “we should incorporate experiences from all identities for all readers” because “by reading diverse books we can increase understanding, empathy and inclusion.”
To donate, drop books off in the church library. There will be boxes labeled “Children’s Library” and “Anti-Racism Little Free Library”.
