PC(USA) - Racial Justice Advocacy - Tools for combating racism


	Tools for combating racism Developing an anti-racist identity is a life-long journey that involves a conscious commitment to change. Anti-racism training is one of the tools for this process. Individuals and groups interested in anti-racism work may find the following training opportunities and resources helpful. Anti-racism training focuses on understanding the effects of racism on individuals and the systemic nature of racism in our society, so that we are better equipped to combat racism in our daily lives. Anti-racism training Anti-racism resources Worship Resources on Cultural Diversity and Racism


	Anti-racism training Anti-racism training is a worship-based process designed to assist individuals, governing bodies, agencies, institutions and congregations with their efforts to live in a racially, culturally diverse and peaceful community. National and regional teams are trained for anti-racism ministry and provided with supporting resources. All employees at the Presbyterian Center undergo one day of training, which enables them to better understand the interlocking social values that create and sustain racial oppression.


	Training resource Facing Racism: A Vision of the Beloved Community (1999) The report of the Initiative Team on Racism and Racial Violence, approved by the 211th General Assembly (1999) as the PC(USA)’s comprehensive policy document on racism. PDS#OGA99033 • $2.00


	Helpful links Presbyterian Advocacy Packet on Global Racism This resource, "United To Combat Racism: Equality, Justice, Dignity Information and Advocacy Packet," was compiled by Laura Mariko Cheifetz for the Presbyterian United Nations Office to assist churches and concerned individuals in information-sharing and awareness-building about the United Nations World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance and to encourage advocacy around the sin of global racism in its various forms. Presbyterian Women: Anti-racism Initiative Acknowledging that "racism is imbedded in the very structure of our society and thus requires a very intentional effort to eradicate it," Presbyterian Women established four initiatives in their 2003 business meeting to combat racism. They are: 1) anti-racism facilitator training, 2) transforming Presbyterian Women into an anti-racist organization; 3) racial ethnic dialog and the 4) racial ethnic dialog grant Program. Ecumenical and denominational World Council of Churches: The Church’s Response to Racism A resource site on global efforts of the church to combat racism. Includes an ecumenical study on racism and racism with respect to women and indigenous peoples. CUIC: Combating Racism Churches Uniting in Christ is a coalition of churches committed to fighting racism. Their site includes resource papers and calls to action against racism.


	Anti-racism resources
	This list contains suggested materials which will engage individuals and groups in the study of pervasive social issues, examined in the light of biblical and theological foundations of the Christian faith. Order these materials from Presbyterian Marketplace with the blue "order" button, or check with your favorite online retailers or local bookseller.




	When Will We Hear Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Call to End Poverty in America? Children's Sabbath: October 17-19, 2008 Children's Sabbath manuals are now available. This year's manual focuses on answering the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King's call to build and be the Blessed Community where all children can live out their God-given potential. The resource guides you in developing worship services, education programs, direct service activities and social justice initiatives for your congregation, organization or community. Although these resources can be used to celebrate children throughout the year, people of faith and conscience will unite together for this year's National Observance of Children's Sabbath® celebration the weekend of October 17–19. FREE PDS #1881985512 Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Supplement Download the 2008 Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) supplement to get information about PC(USA) resources and programs that address Dr. King's triple threats of militarism, materialism and racism. The supplement also includes calendars and brief candle lighting services to help congregations to observe the "Light a Candle for Children" Forty Days' Vigil of Prayer leading up to the Sabbath observance. Dismantling Racism: The Continuing Challenge to White America Barndt, Joseph R. Minneapolis, Minn.: Augsburg Press, 1991. The book focuses on the task of how we can work to bring racism to an end and build a racially just, multicultural society. O Lord, Hold Our Hands: How a Church Thrives in a Multicultural World Stroupe, Nibs; Leach, Caroline. Louisville, Ky.: Westminster John Knox Press, 2003. This book is part history of a local congregation, part testimony to the practice of faith, part manifesto of an evangelical response to racism. A House of Prayer for All People: Congregations Building Multicultural Community Kujawa-Holbrook, Sheryl A. Herndon, Va.: Alban Institute, 2002. Focusing on six congregations from different denominations, geographical regions and settings, the author shows us the joys and struggles in the congregations' intentional pursuits of a more diverse and just community.





	Becoming the Beloved Community: People of Faith Working Together to Eradicate Racism A study guide for Presbyterian Women, 2007. Designed to encourage meaningful dialogue about racism and to equip people of faith to work together to eradicate racism and bring about the beloved community that God intends. The DVD has four 15-minute segments. The accompanying study guide includes questions for reflection and dialogue. $20.00 • PDS#PWR06120 Race: the Power of An Illusion (Vol. 1-3) Just because race doesn't exist in biology doesn't mean it isn't very real, helping shape life chances and opportunities. California Newsreel, 2003. The Thirty-Minute Blue Eyed Blue Eyed is an effective tool for helping adults understand the pressures they and society at large place on certain classes of citizen —not just African Americans — but other minorities, women and the disabled. Public Broadcasting Service, 1996.





	Living the Gospel of Peace: Tools for Building More Inclusive Community Law, Eric H. F. Presbyterian Peacemaking Program, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), 2004. This six-session study teaches communication guidelines, mutual invitation, community bible study, and power analysis and explores how to use these tools to build community in the face of racism and other factors that divide us. $3.00 • PDS#7027004014 Facing Racism: In Search of the Beloved Community Lee, Chang-Ren, Louisville, Ky.: Presbyterian Peacemaking Program, 1998. This five-session study for youth was developed to help youth confront racism and work to build the "beloved community." $1.25 • PDS#7027098002 Troubling the Waters for the Healing of the Church: A Journey for White Christians from Privilege to Partnership Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, 2004. Breaking the Bonds: A Workshop on Internalized Racial Oppression Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, 2004. Breaking the Bonds is an internalized racial oppression resource. Facilitators of this process would lead individuals through a process that will help them to get in touch with the negative messages they have internalized about themselves and others over the years from the oppressive system of racism.