We get it: racial justice is a heavy and complex topic, laden with centuries of grief, horror, guilt, and despair. Facing into it can feel overwhelming, painful, even hopeless. And anyway, what role could we as a relatively small, privileged, predominantly white suburban Protestant congregation possibly have in redressing systemic racism, individually or collectively?

Perhaps we can start with what our purpose statement says to us about being anti-racist:

It’s a beautiful and reassuring statement, not least because it reminds us to center our shared life in Christ. Our faith reminds us that the Creator / Christ / Holy Spirit are with us in all things, and that what we think is difficult and what God thinks are difficult are not the same.

When asked what is the most important commandment, Jesus answered, “The most important one is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

Jesus further invited us, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

We wish you a restorative summer, loving God and neighbor and self, and listening to discern how we are called together to nurture, grow, serve, and welcome as we live into our FCCW ministry to incarnate God’s beloved community here on earth.

Don’t forget to take our all-church summer read Caste with you wherever you are spending this season, and read it with our purpose statement and God’s commandment in mind (not necessarily in that order). If you don’t already have a copy, you can find one just waiting for you in the church lobby. A church family has generously donated the books, purchased from Book Ends, supporting our local independent book store! Also if you would like to have a book dropped off at your home, we have a team of 3 folks willing to deliver. Just email Anne Hoenicke (alhoenicke@yahoo.com) and she will arrange a drop off. Easy.

We look forward to gathering together to discuss on September 12!

– Julianne Zimmerman

A member of The Racial Justice Working Group: Judy Arnold, Will Burhans, Sarah Gallop, Jonathan Goodell, Anne Hoenicke, Jerry Mechling, Kaye Nash, and Julianne Zimmerman