First Presbyterian Church of Libertyville

First Presbyterian Church is committed to being an

anti-racist institution.

Below you’ll find videos, resources, and information about what our church is doing to confront racism

and how you can participate.

Read the August 31st letter to the congregation
Watch the video of the Anti-Racism & Equity Task Force Update

Rev. Dr. Brian R. Paulson

Rev. Amy Heinrich

Rev. Kara Smith Laubenstein


Rev. Ryan Wallace

Anti-Racism and Equity Task Force

In June, the Session of First Presbyterian Church of Libertyville voted to form an “Anti-Racism and Equity Task Force” (ARETF). This task force has been charged with:

·  Learn about the Presbytery of Chicago’s Commission on Anti-Racism and Equity and explore what resources and guidance CARE can offer First Pres;

·  In partnership with Faith Formation, curate an initial set of anti-racism resources and develop opportunities for members of our community to engage in anti-racism work through learning, prayer, and action;

·  Make a recommendation on how to institutionalize anti-racism at First Pres (i.e. forming a new committee or assigning responsibilities to existing committees);

·  Make a recommendation on appropriate anti-racism training for officers, staff, and members and explore options for an institutional audit; and

·  Make any other recommendations to Session to deepen our congregation’s commitment to becoming an anti-racist institution.
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The members of the ARETF are: Debra Alexander (co-chair/elder), Tucker Olson (co-chair), Dan Brame, Kathy Chapman, Amy Christian, Juli Dunsing, Vanessa Griffin, Anna Groebe (elder), Rob Heinrich, Susan Henning(elder), Susie Lawson, Kristin Marsden, Rosemary Monahan(elder), Jess Pruess (elder), Brian Smith, Fred Ulanday, Ken Weller, Susan Weller, and Rev. Ryan Wallace. 

You can read more about our commitment to anti-racism in Rev. Dr. Brian Paulson’s letter to the congregation on June 18, 2020. 

Formation Opportunities

Soul Cinema: Films have the power to stir our souls and inspire us to change the world. We’ll watch scenes from Race Matters and White Savior, and then break into small groups for short discussions. Saturdays from 7:30-8:45 p.m. beginning December 5. 

Learn more and sign up here

Raising Anti-Racist Kids: This 3-part online series for parents will explore big questions about how to raise our kids with anti-racist values. Participants will receive resources to engage on their own (e.g. a podcast, a short article, or a YouTube video) and then we will have a live Zoom meeting that includes some teaching, some facilitated discussion, and some time to practice strategies for talking to our kids about race.  Saturdays at 7:30pm beginning February 20. 

Learn more and sign up here

Be the Bridge 101: This is a five-week guided small group discussion for adults of First Pres to learn and grow together in our understanding of white identity and to prepare ourselves to engage in the work of racial reconciliation in our community. Small groups will begin the week of January 18 and meet weekly for 75 minutes. Groups will be facilitated by a pastor or trained church leader. Learn more and sign up here


Learn more and sign up here

Other Resources

Resources for Adults

Commission on Anti-Racism and Equity (Presbytery of Chicago) 
PC(USA) Resources on Anti-Racism 
Responding to the Sin of Racism and a Call to Action (A Resolution from the 224th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA), June, 2020) 
Anti-Racism and Allyship Resources (Note this EXCEL file will automatically download)
Presbyterian Week of Action

Resources for Families

Raising Anti-Racist Children, Session 1
Raising Anti-Racist Children, Session 2
Raising Anti-Racist Children, Session 3
Raising Anti-Racist Children, Session 5
Raising Anti-Racist Children, Full Slide Deck
Raising Anti-Racist Children-Parents Media Guide