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.
Message From The Committee
The Committee on Anti-Racism and Equity (CARE) The Anti-Racism and Equity Task Force was established by Session motion in June 2020. The task force has accomplished a great deal in the past year, and much of the congregation has been involved in and/or participated in educational opportunities presented by this group.
The work of the task force has attracted a large number of church members to serve on it: 18 members divided in three work groups. Their work of the past year has established the basis for anti-racism work at First Pres Libertyville, that by its nature, is long-term work.
The task force leadership, as part of the original charge by Session to make a recommendation for how to institutionalize anti-racism at First Pres, has determined that it is important for their work to transition from temporary work to permanent committee work.
During the Session meeting that was part of the Session Retreat on Aug. 14, the Session unanimously voted to move the task force to a permanent standing committee: Committee on Anti Racism and Equity (CARE). Opposing the sin of racism is gospel work-thorny and sacrificial.
We may disagree on many things, but we know who holds the future and we know Christ's example will always be our guide. The creation of this committee demonstrates First Pres' commitment to be a church that is "Uprooting Racism, Growing Beloved Community."
GROW Newsletters
Educational opportunities to promote anti-racism literacy brought to you by the G.R.O.W. Team (Gather, Reflect, & Offer Wisdom), a subcommittee of the Anti-Racism & Equity Task Force
Anti-Racism and Equity Task Force
In June 2020, 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.
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), Brian Smith, Fred Ulanday, Ken Weller, Susan Weller, and Rev. Ryan Wallace.
Biblical Grounding for Black Lives Matter
Rev. Dr. Brian R. Paulson
Rev. Amy Heinrich
Rev. Kara Smith Laubenstein
Rev. Ryan Wallace
Resources
Resources for Adults