END RACISM RESOURCES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In its response to white supremacy, racism — and the police brutality that has resulted in nationwide protests — the United Methodist Church has this to say:

“The denomination’s Council of Bishops called for every United Methodist “to name the egregious sin of racism and white supremacy and join together to take a stand against the oppression and injustice that is killing persons of color.” It added: “The United Methodist Church has created an advertising campaign, #EndRacism, in an effort to actively engage in the ministry of dismantling racism and promoting racial justice. Logo courtesy of resourceumc.org.”

It also issued a statement saying, “The United Methodist Church has mounted a denomination-wide campaign, “United Against Racism,” that urges its members not only to pray, but to educate themselves and have conversations about the subject, and to work actively for civil and human rights.”

We at PUMC have compiled “End Racism” resources to help us better understand the Black Lives Matter Movement, systemic racism in the criminal justice system, social repercussions of slavery, and inequality in America.

At this moment in history, white people have become allies of black people fighting for racial justice. These resources addressing racism and anti-racism include lists for all ages as well as for both white and black families.

This extensive collection of books, articles, podcasts, films, videos, songs, poems is curated to include resources sourced from other lists. It will hopefully help us learn and have conversations about racism as it affects every aspect of our society. We invite you to navigate through the resources you like and select what to read or watch and be informed.

If you find something to add, please email it to communications@PrincetonUMC.org and tag it with #praywithusPUMC on your social media page.

—- Isabella Dougan

Continue reading “END RACISM RESOURCES”

Feb. 6: Conversation re August Wilson’s ‘Piano Lesson’

2016f f3b pianoMcCarter Theater’s  acclaimed August Wilson play, “The Piano Lesson,” continues to February 7, and we have an unusual opportunity to talk about it after the matinee on Saturday, February 6. McCarter partners with Not in Our Town to facilitate a 90-minute Community Conversation. For tickets and reservations for the free discussion call 609-258-2787 or go to www.McCarter.org. To hear a little bit of the wonderful “railroad song” click here. 
The Community Conversation will focus on the story of The Piano Lesson “as an articulation of black American experience through which issues and themes pertaining to race, racism, and racial oppression and injustice can be shared and explored for meaning and understanding.”
NiOT (to which PUMC belongs) is the interracial, interfaith social action group united to advance the cause of racial justice in Princeton.

NiOT holds a monthly Continuing Conversations on Race, held on first Mondays at 7 p.m. in partnership with the Princeton Public Library. These forums offer a safe and friendly atmosphere to talk about issues of relevance to our community and nation. Or, “continue the conversation” by perusing Not in Our Town Princeton’s blog, which offers commentary from various points of view https://niotprinceton.org.

How to discuss hot button issues

Here is a training announcement from the Greater New Jersey Digest:

Learn productive ways to discuss hot button issues with your church. GNJ’s Board of Church and Society is hosting training focusing on helping church leaders facilitate discussions about difficult social justice topics. United Methodist Women Executive Secretaries Janis Rosheuvel and Mollie Vickery will lead a discussion on Racial Justice and White Privilege. The training will be held on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.at St. John’s UMC (2000 Florence Avenue, Hazlet, NJ 07730). The registration fee is $10 per person. To register or learn more, contact Rev. Jonathan Campbell at pastorjcampbell@hotmail.com or 845-893-9157

Bishop John Schol’s call to prayer

 Early this morning, in a letter and on the website, Bishop John Schol called for all Greater New Jersey United Methodists to join together to be witnesses to bring an end to violence and racism. “I further call us to prayer. Our actions must be steeped in prayer and let us pray for the nine victims and their families. Let us pray for the Emanuel AME Church and their ministry. Let us pray for the community of Charleston. And let us pray that our words and actions will heal and unite the Church and our communities.”

Here is the complete message from Bishop Schol