Conversations on Racism

A Guide for Calvary UMC based on the UMC’s General Commission on Racism “Racial Justice Conversations Guide”

Suggested Ground Rules

As you begin your conversation, use the following directives based on John Wesley’s three simple rules to guide your conversations:

  • Do No Harm

    • Think before you speak.

    • Beware of judging yourself and others harshly and unfairly.

  • Do Good

    • Own your thoughts and beliefs by using “I” statements.

    • Listen with a compassionate and curious heart to others especially when their experience and views are different.

  • Stay in Love with God

    • Pray for one another and this gathering.

    • Be faithful in word and deed to your commitment to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Suggested Opening Prayer  (2 mins)

God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, it is indeed YOU that have brought us thus far As we gather together to discuss important, but difficult, challenges such as systemic racism and inequality, Lord make us mindful of the gift of life in spite of the evil present in the world. 
Wake us up Lord though our conversation, so that the evil of racism finds no home within me.
Keep watch over my heart Lord, and remove from me any barriers to Your grace, that may oppress and offend my brothers and sisters.
Fill my spirit Lord, so that I may give services of justice and peace.
We invite Your Spirit to take control to clear our minds Lord, and use it for Your glory.
And finally, remind us Lord that you said, "blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God."

Amen.

Scripture Lesson (10 mins)

Luke 10:30-37 (The Parable of the Good Samaritan) This parable is packed with the invisible truths of our lives. 

(30)Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. (31)Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. (32)So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. (33)But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. (34)He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. (35)The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.’ (36)Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” (37)He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

  1. How did Jesus identify ‘neighbor’; and how do we identify the ‘neighbor’ in our own lives?

  2. How do personal prejudices or cultural norms determine the actions we take? 

  3. How can we relate this parable to stories in our present culture? 

  4. How can we encourage a response of hospitality to all in and outside of our churches and communities?

Questions for Reflection (60 mins)

  1. In White Fragility, author Robin DiAngelo defines “White fragility” as the phenomenon by which white people become angry, defensive, or hostile when confronted with the idea that they are complicit in systemic racism.  What are your thoughts on this description? 

  2. Why is it important for white people to talk to one another about racial inequality and unearned privilege? 

  3. What teachings of Jesus might be helpful to recall as we discuss our own white privilege? 

  4. When you hear the term “racism,” what images come to mind? Do you think of racism as a systemic problem that exists in the institutions in our communities? What would it mean for you to think of racism as idolatry—remembering that idolatry is not just an individual choice, but also a group activity to which people are tempted because the culture around them is doing it?

  5. Everyone has a story shared journey. What has shaped and informed your sense of difference and understandings of race?

  6. The “Black Lives Matter” movement is present in our world. Some respond to Black Lives Matter by saying ‘All Lives Matter.’ But, can all lives matter if black lives are not valued in a restorative and sociologically unique way (since the danger they are in is sociologically unique)? How would Jesus have framed this in the parable of the Good Samaritan?

  7. Can you think of examples from your own life, church, or experience in which well-meaning people tried to help people without listening to them first?

  8. Consider the following: “I’m so tired of listening to black people being outraged about a few bad cops killing black people. Where is the same outrage about black-on-black crime, which happens way more often?!” Here are the facts. Black people kill other black people at an extremely high rate. This is indisputable. About 90% of black murder victims were killed by black assailants. But here’s something else that’s equally indisputable: White people kill other white people at a similarly high rate. About 84% of white murder victims were killed by white assailants. This makes obvious sense because the majority of violent crimes are committed against people who they know. When crimes are committed such as black on black crime, those crimes are prosecuted.  The same cannot be said for the police officers who kill unarmed black men. Discuss your thoughts on these facts. 

  9. Where can we identify signs of hope as we begin to recognize the presence of God—and our very selves—in those whom are denied equal access?

Next Steps (20 mins)

  1. How can Calvary UMC be a catalyst in Bloomington/Normal to bring a Christian voice to this social and systemic sin?

  2. How can UMC’s in Bloomington/Normal work together to become aware of policies and practices that promote disparities based on race, ethnicity, stereotypes, or economic status?

  3. Will you write or email our senators Richard Durbin, and Tammy Duckworth, asking them to denounce false narratives that lead to racist actions taken around the country and urge our elected Members of Congress to stop the spread of and to condemn strong language and racist attacks on social media and beyond? Will you ask them to sponsor legislation and resolutions that call for a coordinated Federal response to these hate crimes? 

  4. Would you support Calvary UMC to write and email a letter to our mayors of Bloomington/Normal asking them to institute policies that identify potentially abusive officers and then take action to remove them from active duty until the potential threat is mitigated?

  5. Will you email another pastor or congregant in another church to join us in this letter/email writing campaign?

  6. How can our church identify and support current movements, groups and agencies of the UMC that foster relationships with anti-racist activist groups present in our communities? 

  7. How can we identify and foster support for black-owned businesses in our community? Link to maintained list of Black Owned Businesses by BLM

  8. Should our church explore ways Calvary can become a Multi-Ethnic Congregation?

Closing Prayer (1 min)

God of Heaven and Earth, you created the one human family and endowed each person with great dignity. Help us, we pray, in overcoming the sin of racism. Grant us your grace in eliminating this blight from our hearts, our communities, our social and civil institutions. Fill our hearts with love for you and our neighbor so that we may work with you in healing our land from racial injustice. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen