Uwharrie District Listening and Reading Group: Racism, Spirituality, and Christian Discipleship

Purpose:

• To foster conversation and engagement with others around Racial Justice and Healing
• To deepen our prophetic witness as Christian disciples and congregational leaders
• To expand our knowledge of resources and our network of relationships
• To develop next steps on how to put into action what we have learned

Who: laity and clergy, led by Rev. Laura Auten
Date: Four Wednesday evenings: August 19, September 16, October 14, November 18
Time: 7-8:30pm
Platform: Zoom

Expectations

• Participate in all four sessions
• Read, listen, or view the designated books, podcasts, or videos prior to each session
• Review the biblical background prior to each session
• Complete a genogram (first session)
• Openness to diverse perspectives and willingness to be challenged for the sake of growth
• Work on an Action Plan for further growth and action (last session)
• Speak the truth in love
• Be honest, respectful, and authentic

Materials
Links are provided for the designated videos and for the Emotionally Healthy podcasts. The books can be ordered on Amazon, links are provided. A Zoom link will be sent to you.

To Register: Due to a high number of participants, registration is now closed.

August 19: Listening: Peter Scazzero’s podcasts on Racism. Scazzero Podcasts Peter Scazzero is the author of Emotionally Healthy Spirituality and is a pastor and church consultant. In his podcast, he offers an invitation for us to be on a journey to change. His work in spirituality prepares us to hear the stories of others and to share our own stories. Specific podcasts will be linked in the study guide. Rev. Aldana Allen will join us and lead us in some reflections on Acts 10 and 11.

September 16: Reading: Black and White: Disrupting Racism One Friendship at a Time, Teesha Hadra and John Hambrick, Black and White. A video link to an interview with Hadra and Hambrick will be included in the study guide.

October 14: Reading: Holding Up Your Corner of the World: Talking About Race in Your Community, Willis Johnston (a selection from the 2020 UMW Reading Program), Holding Up Your Corner A video link to an interview with Willis Johnston by Bishop Gregory Palmer will be included in the study guide.

November 18: Reading: Who Lynched Willie Earle? Preaching to Confront Racism, Will Willimon, (a selection from the 2020 UMW Reading Program), Who Lynched Willie Earle? Not just for those who preach, this book speaks to how we talk about race and violence and how the church responds.