ANTI-RACISM & EQUITY INFORMATION
WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A MATTHEW 25 CHURCH
As a member of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the largest mainline Presbyterian denomination in the United States, we accepted an invitation from national leadership to embrace the holy call stated in Matthew 25: 31-46, the parable of the sheep and goats, in which Jesus makes clear that what we do matters to God and how we treat others is important to God.
We are called to actively engage in the world around us; to become a relevant presence in the world through a vital, active faith that wakes us to new possibilities. We join with more than 1,238 Matthew 25 congregations in feeling the conviction of this passage, and as a result, acting boldly and compassionately to serve people who are hungry, oppressed, imprisoned or poor.
We embrace Christ's call to be a church of action, shining the light of God's love, justice and mercy into the world with joy and gratitude. Our church has accepted the challenge to work on three different ambitious goals:
* To dismantle systemic racism
* To build congregational vitality
* To eradicate poverty
MATTHEW 25:34-40
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
GROWING "BELOVED COMMUNITY"
Our anti-racism and equity work is grounded by the theological concept of Beloved Community. First referenced in the early 20th century by philosopher-theologian Josiah Royce, the concept was imbued with deeper meaning by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as he advocated for the breakdown of systems of racial oppression in America and beyond.
Dr. King spoke frequently about his vision of Beloved Community as a global social order wherein all people can share in the gifts of the earth peacefully and harmoniously. "In the Beloved Community, poverty, hunger and homelessness will not be tolerated, because international standards of human decency will not allow it. Racism and all forms of discrimination, bigotry and prejudice will be replaced by an all-inclusive spirit of sisterhood and brotherhood," he said.
Agape, a Greek word for love, is the core value of this vision. Agape love is "the love of God operating in the human heart." Dr. King said. Agape love makes no distinction between friend and enemy, it is unconditional and directed toward all, seeking to preserve and create community.
"The end is reconciliation; the end is redemption, the end is the creation of the Beloved Community," Dr. King said in a speech following the success of the 1956 Montgomery Bus Boycott. "It is this type of spirit, and this type of love that can transform opponents into friends. It is this type of understanding goodwill that will transform the deep bloom of the old age into the exuberant gladness of the new age. It is this love which will bring about miracles in the hearts of men."
Here and now, we share Dr. King's hope for a future in which agape love and the practice of nonviolence bring about a radically transformed world where we share the love of God with all people, building the Beloved Community together.
Learn more about Beloved Community through this article.
Learn more about how our church seeks to create Beloved Community by subscribing to our newsletter
HOW WE ACCOMPLISH THIS WORK
On September 6, 2021, CARE was elevated from a task force to a standing committee with the following charter:
* Increase awareness among congregation members about systemic racism in our community and country.
* Create opportunities for community engagement in anti-racism work through learning, prayer, and action.
* Strengthen our congregation's commitment to becoming an anti-racist institution.
Committee Structure
Pastoral staff, ordained church leaders and volunteers collaborate in five key areas:
1. Leadership: Coordinating team efforts and advocating for CARE initiatives within the church.
2. Communications: Producing newsletter updates on CARE's activities and promoting upcoming events.
3. Curriculum & Content: Developing and curating learning opportunities, including organizing field trips and cultural recognitions.
4. Policy/System Work: Focusing on housing equity and voter engagement initiatives.
5. Bridge Work: We work to develop community and build bridges with these vetted organizations that accomplish critical community support work in Lake County and beyond.
TIMELINE
Anti-Racism & Equity Task Force
June 2020: First Pres forms Anti-Racism & Equity Task Force to address systemic racism.
The task force developed a variety of educational programs designed to inform and engage congregation members on issues of racism and equity. Initiatives such as Be the Bridge 101, Soul Cinema, Raising Anti-Racist Kids, and Juneteenth Weekend fostered robust participation, attracting significant attendance and encouraging meaningful conversations within the community.
Committee on Anti-Racism & Equity
September 2021: The Session voted to elevate the task force to a standing committee, now called the Committee on Anti-Racism & Equity (CARE).
Land Acknowledgement Statement
December 2022: The Session votes to adopt a Land Acknowledgement Statement and practice.
Bridge Partnerships
June 2024: CARE forms bridge partnerships with eight Lake County organizations engaged in critical community support work.
Outreach & Community Impact
Our outreach and programming efforts have inspired congregational self-reflection. Through banners, postcards, social media and newsletters, we have opened the church doors wide to our members and the larger community. Deep and sometimes difficult conversations about racism are taking place, leading to new members joining our church as a result of this visible gospel work.
The work of uprooting racism and growing beloved community is complex and requires commitment across generations. We recognize that people of faith may not always agree on the best ways to express God's love in our broken world, but we believe Jesus calls us to be His hands and feet, loving our neighbors as ourselves. We are reminded of Matthew 25: “Whatever you do to the least of these, you do to me.”
PAST PROGRAMS
LEARN MORE
Be the Bridge 101
* A five-week small group study on foundational principles essential for white bridge builders.
* Two sessions
Soul Cinema
* Film and documentary viewings followed by small group discussions.
* Featured Titles: Thirteenth, Selma.
* Winter 2020, Summer 2020 Film Series
Raising Anti-Racist Kids
* Small group discussions focused on ideas, insights, and practices for parents of children aged birth to 18 to help them understand and reject racism.
* Two sessions
Juneteenth Recognitions and Services
* Events and activities to commemorate the emancipation of Black people in the United States.
Book Studies
* Titles Included:
* "The Color of Compromise" by Jamar Tisby
* "The Sum of Us" by Heather McGhee
* "Rediscipling the White Church": From Cheap Diversity to True Solidarity by David Swanson.
Podcast Discussions
* Focus: Discussions centered around the Southlake podcast.
* Pop-up discussion
Peace Circles
* Facilitator: Led by Rev. Cheryl Cornelius.
* A two-day learning experience for leaders and staff of First Pres to reflect on racism and its community impact.
Sacred Ground Study
* A 20-week multimedia study of racism's complexities and legacies. (2022), (2024)
Love Every Neighbor CARE Conversations
* Four Sunday evenings of learning about the perspectives of Indigenous peoples, Latino/a/x communities, and Filipino friends, while exploring the work and words of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. These events blended fellowship with discussions on complex topics.
* October, November 2021, February 2022, October 2023 - Filipino Perspective
Land Acknowledgment Statement and Practice
* Adoption: In fall 2022, the Session adopted a land acknowledgment statement.
* Implementation: A year of learning followed, with the statement to be read in worship services and committee meetings starting October 2023.
Book Swap
* A gathering where 18 members discussed impactful books for justice and mercy, with copies of the most recommended titles given away.
Book Drive
* Congregation invited to donate books for the Mosaic Hub Library, supporting children who come together for fellowship.
Additional Publications
Program List
2020
"Be the Bridge 101" five-week study
Summer Film Series
"Raising Anti-Racist Kids"
"Soul Cinema" film series
"The Color of Compromise" book study
2021
Podcast Discussion
Peace Circles
"Traces of the Trade" film viewing
Launch of "Love Every Neighbor" series
2022
"Sacred Ground"
Juneteenth Dinner & Worship
2023
Book Swap
"Love Every Neighbor - Filipino Perspective"
"Traces of the Trade" film viewing
Launch of "Beloved Community News"
2024
Sacred Ground
Juneteenth Dinner & Worship
"The Sum of Us" Book Study
ANTI-RACISM CONCEPTS & DEFINITIONS
Learning about anti-racism and equity means seeking out definitions to concepts that might be unfamiliar, or words that might have different connotations to different people. No single resource has all of the answers about these complex issues: this Racial Equity Tools glossary is an excellent starting point for many topics.
Here are a few important highlighted terms from the glossary:
ANTI-RACISM
The work of actively opposing racism by advocating for changes in political, economic, and social life. Anti-racism tends to be an individualized approach and set up in opposition to individual racist behaviors and impacts.
SOURCE: Race Forward, “Race Reporting Guide” (2015).
IMPLICIT BIAS
Implicit Bias: Negative associations that people unknowingly hold. This kind of bias is expressed automatically, without conscious awareness, and is also known as unconscious or hidden bias. Many studies have indicated that implicit biases affect individuals’ attitudes and actions, thus creating real-world implications, even though individuals may not even be aware that those biases exist within themselves. Notably, implicit biases have been shown to trump individuals’ stated commitments to equality and fairness, thereby producing behavior that diverges from the explicit attitudes that many people profess. The Implicit Association Test (IAT) is often used to measure implicit biases with regard to race, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, and other topics.
SOURCE: Cheryl Staats, State of the Science: Implicit Bias Review 2013, Kirwan Institute, The Ohio State University.
RACISM
Racism: Racism = race prejudice + social and institutional power
Racism = a system of advantage based on race
Racism = a system of oppression based on race
Racism = a white supremacy system
Racism is different from racial prejudice, hatred, or discrimination. Racism involves one group having the power to carry out systematic discrimination through the institutional policies and practices of the society and by shaping the cultural beliefs and values that support those racist policies and practices.
SOURCE: “What Is Racism?” − Dismantling Racism Works (dRworks) web workbook.
FAQ
How has your church responded to the call for racial equity?
In 2020, a dedicated group of our members volunteered to form our Anti-Racism & Equity Task Force. This group has been actively working towards promoting racial equity within our community and continues to grow as more members join the cause. Their efforts include organizing educational events, facilitating open discussions, and partnering with local organizations to support initiatives that advance racial justice.
What is the Beloved Community?
The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. developed and popularized the concept of the Beloved Community. This vision of community arises from non-violent resistance to oppression and is rooted in a specific kind of love called 'agape'-an understanding, redeeming goodwill for all. Dr. King described agape as the "love of God operating in the human heart." He envisioned a world emanating from this love, where poverty, oppression, and inequality would no longer be tolerated, and people could live together peacefully, enjoying the gifts of God's creation. You can learn more about Dr. King's vision and why we at First Pres embrace this concept here https://firstpreslibertyville.org/anti-racism-information/#BELOVED%20COMMUNITY.
Why were "Black Lives Matter" banners displayed?
In June 2020, following the murder of George Floyd, First Pres leaders raised banners stating "Black Lives Matter" as an expression of solidarity with our siblings of color, whose lives have been historically devalued in our society. These banners supported the broad and important social movement advocating for the value of Black lives.
We believe Holy Scripture leads us to support the statement "Black Lives Matter." By saying it, we highlight the deep and abiding sin of racism in our society, institutions, and hearts. It is both a lamentation of our collective sin and a call to action to repent and seek authentic equality and peace, as envisioned by Martin Luther King Jr.'s Beloved Community.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Libertyville sign ordinances were not widely observed or enforced when we initially displayed our banners. However, as of May 1, 2021, the Village of Libertyville began enforcing these ordinances. Committed to being a good organizational citizen and following all village rules and applicable ordinances, our committee acted accordingly and changed our banner out.
How has the community responded to your initiatives?
We are heartened by the robust interest we have seen from both our members and the wider community. Hundreds of people, including First Pres members and many community members, have actively participated in our studies and discussion groups.
"But the end is reconciliation; the end is redemption; the end is the creation of the beloved community. It is this type of spirit and this type of love that can transform opposers into friends. The type of love that I stress here is not eros, a sort of esthetic or romantic love; not philia, a sort of reciprocal love between personal friends; but it is agape which is understanding goodwill for all men. It is an overflowing love which seeks nothing in return. It is the love of God working in the lives of men. This is the love that may well be the salvation of our civilization."
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. "The Role of the Church in Facing the Nation's Chief Moral Dilemma," 1957