Racial Justice Team


The Racial Justice Team of PEVA educates, inspires, equips, and mobilizes congregations and members to work for racial justice and healing.

PEVA MLK Service at Wycliffe Presbyterian Church

PEVA had a celebration of the 60th Anniversary of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech in the hopes to empower a new generation of positive social change makers.

173 people attended the PEVA gathering commemorating the life and ministry of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at Wycliffe Presbyterian Church. Guest speakers included the Rev. Dr. Marry Newbern-Williams, Elder Amanda Pine, the Rev. Dr. Chris Shearer, and the Rev. Carter Jones.


Other participants included Elder Gerry Ellis (PEVA Compassion, Peace, and Justice Ministry Team, Chair), Rev. Leigh Gillis, Rev. Dr. Lissa Long, Rev. Dr. Garrett Bugg, Elisabeth Writtenberry (Great Bridge Presbyerian Church), Alex Carrasco (King's Grant Presbyterian Church), Londyn Mathews (New Horizons Presbyterian Church), Emilia Bugg (Wycliffe Presbyerian Church) and the ecumenical MLK choir under the direction of Dr. Matthew Russell (New Horizons Presbyerian Church


LISTEN TO THE RECORDING OF THE SERVICE HERE
 
 WATCH THE RECORDING HERE

Racial Justice & Antiracism Resources

The resources listed below can be useful for Sunday school classes and other small groups that are interested in studying and discussing racism, racial justice, and anti racism work. The resources are also helpful for individuals who are open to new thinking about race in America. Please share with PEVA's Racial Justice Team anything you’ve found about racial issues that provokes thought, discussion, and or action. 

  • Matthew 25 Dismantling Structural Racism

    Structural racism is the normalizing of racism within institutions and structures. Once racism is structural and institutional (as it is in the United States), it creates ongoing, persistent inequality. Inequality occurs in accessing money, land, housing, education, health, information, and social power.

    https://pcusa.org/matthew25 


  • Segregation in the 21st Century

    Living Together / Living Apart Geography of Segregation in the 21st Century.  Racial segregation in most major US metropolitan areas is worse today than it was during Reconstruction. This did not happen by accident, nor did it happen overnight. The origins of racial segregation in the American city are deep, and go far beyond the oft-cited quip that “birds of a feather flock together.” Rather, a combination of federal housing policy and both overt and indirect racism throughout much of the 20th century lie at its heart.

    https://www.livingtogetherlivingapart.com/

  • Race and Culture Mental Health Resources

    Resources addressing the identity and cultural dimensions of mental health.  


    PC(USA) Resources 

  • Equity, Justice, and Opportunity in Virginia

    At Virginia Interfaith Center, their priorities reflect the voices and needs of communities across the Commonwealth. From ensuring every child has access to early education, to advancing racial and economic justice, to protecting the dignity of workers and immigrants, they work where our shared values call us to act. Each priority area represents a commitment to building a more just and compassionate Virginia—one policy, one partnership, and one community at a time.


    PEVA’s Compassion, Peace and Justice misitry team supports Virginia Interfaith


    https://www.virginiainterfaithcenter.org/racial-equity/native-american-heritage-month/


    Tribal Nation Cultural  Centere in Virginia: Chickahominy, Eastern Chickahominy, Mattaponi, Monacan, Nansemond, Nottowa, Pamunkey, Patawomeck, Rappahannock,  and the Upper Mattaponi.

  • Social Murder and the Geography of Inequality

    Justine L. Nusbaum Lecture at Virginia Wesleyan Universityby Johnny Finn, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Geography Chair, Department of Sociology, Social Work, & Anthropology Christopher Newport University. 


    "Social Murder and the Geography of Inequality,” is available to view on YouTube 

  • Conference Resources on Race

    Here you will find resources for many of the conferences programmed by or partnered with Montreat Conference Center. Clicking the link to the resources you would like will bring you to a Dropbox folder. 


    Montreat Resource Portal 

  • Trouble the Water

    Is a documentary series resource produced by the PC(USA) for communities and congregations to facilitate conversation and engagement around the issues of race and racism. Sign up to access documentary series and related materials! 


    https://pcusa.org/disaster-assistance/counter-stories-productions/trouble-water


  • Racial Equity & Inclusion, Ministries

    Together, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) ministries, partners, and churches work to celebrate differences, confront injustice, and live out our faith through action. Explore resources for dialogue, education, and advocacy to create spaces where all people are valued and empowered. 


    Disability Inclusion

    LGBTQIA+ Ministry

    Racial Equity Ministry

    Women’s Ministry


    https://pcusa.org/how-we-serve/inclusion-equity


  • Where do you live? On Native Land?

    Land is something sacred to all of us, whether we consciously appreciate it or not — it is the space upon which we play, live, eat, and experience life. 

    Use the Native Land Digital map by entering your address, or by mousing or clicking around on the map to see the relevant territories in a location.


    Once you click, a number of links will appear with different nation names. By clicking on those links, you will be taken to a page specifically about that nation, language, or treaty, where you can view some sources, give feedback, and learn a little more. We are always trying to expand our resources on these pages.


    https://native-land.ca/

  • At The River Struggle and Grace in the Segregated South

    When did you realize that what you were being taught about race as a white Southerner was wrong? Filmmaker Carolyn Crowder, raised in Montgomery, Alabama, during the Civil Rights era, set out to ask this question of Presbyterian ministers she knew who had taken stands during those turbulent times. Often isolated in small towns in the Deep South, some chose to be brave in spite of the dangerous circumstances.


    http://carolyncrowder.com/?mc_cid=0edcccd6c1&mc_eid=e664586a83

  • Doctrine of Discovery

    The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) formally confesses its historical complicity in and repudiates the Doctrine of Discovery, recognizing it as a theological and legal system that justified the oppression and dispossession of Indigenous peoples. 

    The church directs its congregations and agencies to:


    • Educate members about the doctrine and its continuing impact
    • Practice repentance through acknowledgment and changed relationships
    • Support Native American sovereignty and human rights
    • Build respectful partnerships with Indigenous communities

    Overall, the decision commits the PC(USA) to move from acknowledgment to active justice and solidarity with Native peoples.


    Doctrine of Discovery - Support for Native American Sovereignty

  • Crossroads Antiracism Training

    Recognizing that racism goes beyond personal prejudice, Crossroads focuses on social change strategies. They adapt community organizing concepts to work effectively inside institutions.


    https://crossroadsantiracism.org/

List of Services