Gifts directed to “Give828” will go to Women’s Ministries (E049991) and will be equally split at the point of gift entry to Women’s Ministries and Leaders of Color (E051484).
Schedule of Events
All events will be livestreamed here on the Week Of Action webpage. Please plan to view at the time of the event listed below. Recorded events without interpretation are available on the PC(USA) Facebook page.
Times listed are Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
August 23 | Middle East Peace…Our Peace
All live-streamed events presented in English, Spanish, Korean & Arabic.
11:00 a.m.
From Shades of Oppression Towards Ways of Resistance
1:00 p.m.
Stories of Resilience, Peacebuilding and Resistance
5:00 p.m.
Stories of Resilience and Healing
7:00 p.m.
Witnessing through Worship: a vesper service
Middle East Peace…Our Peace
August 23, 2021
To begin the Week of Action we will focus our attention on the multi-faceted concerns facing our Middle Eastern siblings. In connection to this multi-layered and rich part of the world, we will examine some of the issues in the region that directly impact the oppression experienced by marginalized people as well as the places where liberation are evident. The day will include story time for kids, a discussion on important issues, and varying facts about existing concerns. Participants will be weighing in from the U.S. as well as differing parts of the Middle Eastern region.
While we are working towards a more equitable resource library, some resources linked on this page are available only in English. If you would like to request a resource in another language, email bearing.witness@pcusa.org and we will assist as we are able.
August 24 | Vivencias Hispano-Latinas: Unidad en Cristo AND Systemic and Racialized Poverty
All live-streamed events presented in Spanish unless otherwise indicated.
9:00 a.m.
OIACHL Hispanic-Latinx Ministries at PC(USA)
9:15 a.m.
Nuestra herencia hispano latina- Our Hispanic Latina Heritage
10:30 a.m.
Our Hispanic Latina Heritage in the Denomination
11:00 a.m.
What is the Leadership Innovation Team?
11:30 a.m.
1001 New Worshipping Communities, Serving Communities that have been historically impoverished, oppressed, and marginalized.
12:30 p.m.
Mission Commitement & Engagement
1:00 p.m.
Panel Discussion: Racism and Discrimination in our Communities and Beyond
2:00 p.m.
Live event featuring music, prayer, challenge and discussion about systemic and racialized poverty. Presented in English & Spanish.
3:30 p.m.
The Mission of the NCPHL
4:30 p.m.
Community of Shalom, Matthew 25
5:15 p.m.
Reading: The Marveous Mustard Seed
5:30 p.m.
Portuguese Language Presbyterian Council
6:30 p.m.
Our Mission Coworkers
7:00 p.m.
Closing Worship
Vivencias Hispano-Latinas: Unidad en Cristo AND Systemic and Racialized Poverty
August 24, 2021
From 2-3:30pm we will explore the connection to our PC(USA) Matthew 25 call to eradicate systemic poverty, dismantle structural racism, and revitalize churches and communities. We will delve into our own biblical call to end poverty that can empower action for people of faith and we will hear from Presbyterian minister Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis from the Poor People’s Campaign. We will share concrete solidarity, advocacy, and other actions to address root causes of poverty.
While we are working towards a more equitable resource library, some resources linked on this page are available only in English. If you would like to request a resource in another language, email bearing.witness@pcusa.org and we will assist as we are able.
August 25 | LGBTQIA+ Resilience
All live-streamed events presented in English, Spanish, & Korean unless otherwise indicated.
9:00 a.m.
Chapel
12:00 p.m.
Mr. Chance Goes to Church—children’s storytime
7:00 p.m.
Story & Poetry Slam
8:00 p.m.
Mr. Chance Goes to Church—children’s storytime (Rebroadcast). Presented in English.
LGBTQIA+ Reslilience
August 25, 2021
A day dedicated to celebrating and honoring the resilience our queer siblings both past and present. The day includes a live stream morning chapel service led and planned by LGBTQIA+ community members. Drag Storytime featuring children’s literature from Flyaway Books and one of the best Drag Kings in the PC(USA) will definitely be a highlight of the day. Finally, a live stream Story & Poetry Slam featuring live and pre-recorded LGBTQIA+ community members and allies sharing their own words and wisdom will round out the day’s events. Look for “Did you Know?” facts on social media related to LGBTQIA+ history and advocacy throughout the day.
While we are working towards a more equitable resource library, some resources linked on this page are available only in English. If you would like to request a resource in another language, email bearing.witness@pcusa.org and we will assist as we are able.
August 26 | No More Stolen Relatives: Murdered & Missing Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People
All live-streamed events presented in English, Spanish, & Korean.
9:30 a.m.
“No More Stolen Relatives – A Time to Learn, A Time to Act” – a brief video introducing the day and inviting people to participate.
11:00 a.m.
“Taking Action for Native Americans” – a short video by the Rev. Irv Porter (Pima, Nez Perce, and Tohono O’odham), associate for Native American Intercultural Congregation Support.
12:30 p.m.
“No More Stolen Relatives – A Devotional” – a short video featuring a scripture reading in the Choctaw language by the Rev. Ron McKinney (The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma), an original poem by Alethia Oatman (Sisseton Wahpeton Dakota Oyate, and a descendant of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma), and a litany for missing and murdered Indigenous persons, written by the Rev. Danelle McKinney (Sisseton Wahpeton Dakota Oyate) and Elder Madison McKinney (Sisseton Wahpeton Dakota Oyate and a descendent of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma).
3:00 p.m.
Uncovering Indigenous Identities in the Latin American Community.
4:30 p.m.
“We All Belong to Each Other” – a short video by Elder Elona Street-Stewart (Delaware Nanticoke), Co-Moderator of the 224th General Assembly (2020).
No More Stolen Relatives: Murdered & Missing Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People
Social media posts throughout the day on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People from the Advocacy Committee on Women’s Concerns on the PC(USA) Facebook Page
While we are working towards a more equitable resource library, some resources linked on this page are available only in English. If you would like to request a resource in another language, email bearing.witness@pcusa.org and we will assist as we are able.
August 27 | AAPI Resilience, Resistance, Power & Affirmation
All live-streamed events presented in English, Spanish, & Korean.
9:00 a.m.
International Coalition of Resistance to Anti-Asian Racism in the U.S. Foreign Policy: How Asian Americans, Asians, and their Allies are Coming Together against anti-Asian Orientalism in U.S. policy toward Korea to end the Korean War and Build Relationships of Peace.
11:00 a.m.
Racism/Antiracism 301: AAPI Solidarity and Invisibility
1:00 p.m.
Beyond the Monolith: Inter-AAPI Conversations
3:00 p.m.
AAPI Love, Beauty, Joy & Affirmation: Antidote to AAPI Hate
Although there has been a significant rise in the number of physical attacks of AAPI siblings in the United States, during the last year and a half, the racist and xenophobic history of violence and hatred against AAPI women, girls, men, boys, and non-binary people did not begin with the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. It has been a long painful, shameful, and sinful history. On Friday, August 27, 2021, we will raise awareness, develop strategies and action steps toward Ending AAPI Hate. Using storytelling, historical inquiry, and multiple forms of media we will engage themes and issues ranging from the state of AAPI communities to AAPI Intersections to Cross-Identity Solidarity as well as honor and reflect on the lives lost at the hands of AAPI hatred and violence, and more. Eradicating racism is the work of the community of God. Together we can celebrate the rich heritage and diversity of AAPI siblings. As we deepen and expand our knowledge and understanding, we can work together to advocate for ending discrimination and violence against AAPI siblings and begin the process toward repairing and healing over two centuries of pain and trauma.
While we are working towards a more equitable resource library, some resources linked on this page are available only in English. If you would like to request a resource in another language, email bearing.witness@pcusa.org and we will assist as we are able.
August 28 | Black Lives Matter
11:00 a.m.
Liberation NOW! Presented in English, Spanish & Korean.
1:00 p.m.
Rebroadcast of Tuesday’s Systemic and Racialized Poverty event with the Poor People’s Campaign. Presented in English.
6:00 p.m.
Concert 828 Presented in English.
Black Lives Matter
August 28, 2021
Did You Know facts will be posted on PC(USA) social media throughout the day.
From 1-2:30pm we will rebroadcast the live event from Tuesday afternoon where we explore the connection to our PC(USA) Matthew 25 call to eradicate systemic poverty, dismantle structural racism, and revitalize churches and communities. We will delve into our own biblical call to end poverty that can empower action for people of faith and we will hear from Presbyterian minister Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis from the Poor People’s Campaign. We will share concrete solidarity, advocacy, and other actions to address root causes of poverty.
We encourage Presbyterian congregations or small groups (youth group, women’s groups, intergenerational gatherings) to plan a time this fall of 2021 to do this racial wealth gap simulation from Bread for the World. You can do it virtually or in person. In the simulation, participants learn how federal policies created structural inequalities—property ownership and education are just two among many areas affected—and how these policies increase hunger and poverty in communities of color. The simulation guides participants to an understanding of why racial equity is so important to ending hunger and poverty in the United States. Video instructions, facilitators guides, activity sheets, and ways to do this simulation in person OR virtually are available at Racial Wealth Gap Learning Simulation | Bread for the World.
While we are working towards a more equitable resource library, some resources linked on this page are available only in English. If you would like to request a resource in another language, email bearing.witness@pcusa.org and we will assist as we are able.
August 29 | Gun Violence Response and Recognition
5:00 p.m.
Vesper Service Presented in English, Spanish, & Korean.
While we are working towards a more equitable resource library, some resources linked on this page are available only in English. If you would like to request a resource in another language, email bearing.witness@pcusa.org and we will assist as we are able.
While we are working towards a more equitable resource library, some resources linked on this page are available only in English. If you would like to request a resource in another language, email bearing.witness@pcusa.org and we will assist as we are able.
Background & Purpose
Amid the ever-present racial tensions existent in our nation and amplified last year, many PC(USA) staff band together to lift their voices in a proactive way to bring attention to injustice. The Bearing Witness Team has dedicated itself to responding to God’s call to create beloved community by dismantling white supremacy culture and whiteness through a cross-agency and denominational collective voice. What was produced through this collective effort last year was The International PC(USA) Week of Action 2020, Voting Campaign 2020, COVID-19 on the Margins Series, and the Black Lives Matter signage.
The theme this year is “Shades of Oppression, Resistance and Liberation.”The goal this year is to be even more inclusive of the wider denomination in the planning process as well as the implementation. Events will be both virtual and potentially in person. The Week of Action has, at its core, the idea of being a visible arm of justice in our communities around the denomination as we stand on the foundations of both Matthew 25 and the Hands & Feet Initiative. The week and theme are crafted to bring attention and action to the plight of those suffering from differing forms of oppressive situations.
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