Northern Illinois Synod Anti-Racism/Multicultural Ministry Subcommittee

RACISM OR EVANGELISM?

 A major barrier to evangelical outreach by our congregations is the prevailing attitude toward race and racism in our society.  If we wish to make serious efforts to reach out to the increasingly multiethnic and multicultural population in our communities, we need to understand the illusion of race and the power of racism.

 The Anti-racism Team of our synod seeks to help us and our congregations understand the nature and power of racism so that we can be freed in Christ to accept, welcome and love all people as children of God.

 Why Anti-racism?  When we are ill we welcome prescriptions of antibiotics  to help our body's systems restore us to health.  We are also glad that anti-terrorism experts are working to help protect us from the terrorists who threaten innocent lives and the order and stability of human society.  We also need a healthy dose of anti-racism to counter the disease of racism that infects our lives and prevents us from working for justice in our world and welcoming all people as brothers and sisters in Christ.

 Use the resources listed below to help you and your congregation become intentionally anti-racist for the sake of the gospel and the mission of Christ.

RESOURCES FOR CONGREGATIONS AND CONFERENCES ON ANTI-RACISM AND MULTICULTURALISM

 Introduction to Anti-racism – Invite the Anti-racism to present this 1 ½ hour (or two one hour) workshop in your congregation, conference or synod committee.  Your only cost is travel expenses for the presenters.  Includes ideas for following up with an in-depth process leading to making an anti-racist commitment.

 "Race – the Power of an Illusion" – A two hour (or two one hour) "do it yourself" program based on Part 1 of the recent PBS television series of the same name.  The video, transcript and discussion guide are available from the s Northern Illinois Synod Rock Island office.  See list of video resources below.

 Multicultural Sunday Resource Packet

The resource was distributed at 2004 synod assembly, or contact Pr Paul Walker at: wcelebrate@ameritech.net

 "TROUBLING THE WATERS" – A RESOURCE FOR CONGREGATIONS

"Troubling the Waters for the Healing of the Church – A journey for White Christians from privilege to partnership" is available from the ELCA Commission for Multicultural Ministries.  It is designed to help our all, or mostly all, white congregations to grow from an unconscious attitude of privilege to an intentional commitment to partnership with people of color in our church and society. 

 The program involves a group of 10 to 20 members who will commit to a program of study and action over the better part of a year.  It begins with three sessions followed by a time for independent reading and conversation, then units of six, three and five sessions, with breaks in between. At the conclusion of their study the group will report and make recommendations to the congregation council.

 To plan for your congregation's participation, discuss and secure a commitment from your pastor and the congregational council.  Put it on the church calendar.  Begin recruiting a variety of people interested in racial justice and multicultural outreach.  Order the resource book from Augsburg-Fortress ($35.00 plus S&H).  It contains the leader's guide and reproducible handouts for participants.

 For further information, registration or scheduling of these resources please contact the Anti-racism Team through:

Pr. Frank Samuelson at 309-797-1189 (dandfsam@netexpress.net)

or Ms. Marlene Park at 815-397-5911 (gmpark@rockford.com)

THE FOLLOWING VIDEO RESOURCES ON ANTI-RACISM AND MULTI-CULTURALISM are available for free loan from the Northern Illinois Synod, Augustana College, Rock Island, IL 61201 (309-794-4004).

"Race – The Power of an Illusion" – Three one hour videos from PBS.

Is "race" a fact or an illusion?  Is a person’s “race” genetically determined, or is it a social or cultural construction?  This series explores popular assumptions as well as historical and modern scientific information about the concept of race and how it works in our society. The first video includes a multi-racial group of high school students exploring the concept of race by analyzing their own DNAs.

"Viva la Causa"  -- 500 years of Chicano history --  2 - 30 min. tapes - Adult

Part One – Mexican-American history and relations up to WW II

Part Two – Chicano efforts to protest and fight discrimination and oppression since 1943.  Produced by the South West Organizing Project.

"A Time for Justice" – 38 minutes – Jr. High – Adult.

This winner of an Academy Award for best short documentary gives a powerful summary of the American civil rights movement in the 1960s. Most of our youth and young adults know little about this history – and maybe the rest of us could use a refresher course.**

"The Shadow of Hate" – 40 minutes – Youth and Adult

A moving portrayal of the legacy of prejudice and hatred in United States history against Native American, Black, Irish, Chinese, Japanese, Catholic and Hispanic people.  **

"Starting Small" – Teaching tolerance in preschool and early school grades.

Book and video -- including classroom activities, teacher insights and commentary from child development specialists.  Can be used to augment various Church School curricula. **

"A Place At The Table"  -- 40 minute video explores issues of history and identity through the eyes of today's youth.  A book illustrates a variety of struggles for equality in American society. **

(** These materials are produced by the Southern Poverty Law Center.)