The Racial Justice Team of PEVA educates, inspires, equips, and mobilizes congregations and members to work for racial justice and healing.
Racial Justice Team
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.
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Recommended Recent Reads (Purchase at your favorite book store)
The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America by Richard Rothstein
Just Action: How to Challenge Segregation Enacted Under the Color of Law by Leah Rothstein & Richard Rothstein
Race for Profit: How Banks and the Real Estate Industry Undermined Black Homeownership by Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor
Reckoning with History: Settler Colonialism, Slavery, and the Making of American Christianity By The Rev. Dr. William Yoo.
Unbroken and Unbowed: A History of Black Protest in America by the Rev. Jimmie Hawkins’ A History of Black Protest in America, explores the heart and history behind Black protest. Jimmie R. Hawkins walks the reader through the many forms of Black protest in American history, from pre-colonial times through the George Floyd protests of 2020.
What Kind of Christianity: A History of Slavery and Anti-Black Racism in the Presbyterian Church,” By The Rev. Dr. William Yoo.
The Color of Compromise: by Jemar Tisby THe book highlights the complicity of Christians in racism from slavery to the present, offering a call to action for racial justice and reconciliation.
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Equity & Urban Planning in VA especially Hampton Roads
For those interested in equity and urban planning, the law secured grants for Richmond and Hampton Roads that will begin to reconnect two historically Black communities displaced by the development of the interstate system. You can learn more about these investments from this 13 News Now reporting.
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Matthew 25 church that never was and the one we have today
The Rev. Dr. William Yoo explores the Matthew 25 church that never was and the one we have today a the Matthew 25 Summitt held January 16–18, 2024, at New Life Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, GA, bringing together over 350 participants to focus on dismantling structural racism, eradicating systemic poverty, and building congregational vitality. View Here
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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.
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Where Do We Go From Here Chaos or Community ?
Resource list provided by the Revs. Lesanne and McDowll Ott, who preached the message at the Martin Luther King, Jr. service in January of 2023.
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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.
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Race and Culture Mental Health Resources
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Environmental Justice & Race
Living Together Living Apart project director Dr. Johnny Finn talks about the environmental justice implications of a 200-acre coal terminal immediately adjacent to the formerly redlined neighborhoods in Southeast Newport News in this 6-minute documentary short.
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Native and Indigenous Lenten Devotional
November was designated by Congress in 1990 as American Indian and Indigenous Heritage Month to celebrate the accomplishments of the peoples who were the original inhabitants and stewards of what is now the United States. It is commonly referred to as Native American Heritage Month, but also as American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month.
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.
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The Wages of Whiteness: Race and the Making of the American Working Class
The Book "The Wages of Whiteness: Race and the Making of the American Working Class" by David R. Roediger
Combining classical Marxism, psychoanalysis, and the new labor history pioneered by E. P. Thompson and Herbert Gutman, David Roediger's widely acclaimed book provides an original study of the formative years of working-class racism in the United States. This, he argues, cannot be explained simply with reference to economic advantage; rather, white working-class racism is underpinned by a complex series of psychological and ideological mechanisms that reinforce racial stereotypes, and thus help to forge the identities of white workers in opposition to Blacks. -
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
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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.
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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!
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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
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Toxic Waste & Race in the United States
A National Report on the Racial and Socio-Economic Characterist!cs of Communities with Hazardous Waste Sites.
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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.
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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
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Doctrine of Discovery
The Doctrine of Discovery: A Review of Its Origins and Implications for Congregations in the PC(USA) and Support for Native American Sovereignty—From the Presbyterian Mission Agency.
Doctrine of Discovery - Support for Native American Sovereignty
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Chauvin Verdict Resources for Preaching & Praying Ongoing ew List Item
Resources for Preaching & Praying in Light of the Derek Chauvin Trial Verdict. This is a document primarily designed by the Anti-Racism Coordinator, of the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area for white-majority churches and white leaders in that presbytery to sketch out some of the particular pitfalls to avoid when discussing issues around racism . There is also a list of tools for further study & prayer.
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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.
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PCUSA Facing Racism: Policy & Study Guide
Facing Racism Antiracism Study Guide
Facing Racism:A Vision of the Intercultural Community Churchwide Antiracism Policy
Facing Racism: A Vision of the Beloved Community
PCUSA A Corp. Antiracism Statement
Building Community Among Strangers , A Plan for Study and Action Racism,Social Class,Divisions, Building Community, Gender-Based Injustices, Religious Intolerance and Conflict.
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Resources for Racism Education for Children
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Waking up White Study Guide
This guide was developed by Rev. Denise Anderson and Rev. Jan Edmiston Co‐Moderators of the 222nd General Assembly (2016) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), they invited the church to read and discuss the book, Waking Up White and Finding Myself in the Story of Race, by Debby Irving. This resource is designed to help groups respond to that invitation.
Book Study Discussion Guide by Rev. Denise Anderson and Rev. Jan Edmiston
Participants are invited tp to read Waking Up White and Finding Myself in the Story of Race before the study starts. It may be purchased at your local independent bookstore or ordered online.
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Remember Recent Victims of Racial Violence.
Commemorating the ‘single worst incident of racial violence in American history
Synod of the Sun remembers the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre
Presbyterian Week of action 2020 We must be an irritant to the justice system’
About 150 Presbyterians and their partners rallied and and marched for racial justice in downtown Louisville August 2020
The Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, Stated Clerk of the Presbyterian Church (USA), at the time remembers recent victims of racial violencein a short video message. From the Office of the General Assembly - May 29, 2020.
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Statement on the Death of George Floyd by Rev. Brian Blount
Statement from the Rev. Dr. Brian K. Blount (President, Union Presbyterian Seminary) on the Death of George Floyd.
https://www.upsem.edu/newsroom/statement-from-president-blount-on-the-death-of-george-floyd/
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George Floyd Is My Brother by Jill Duffield
by Jill Duffield (former Editor, Presbyterian Outlook) Pubished June 1, 2020 and updated Dec. 1, 2022.
If white Christians do not see the murder of black and brown people as the killing of God’s family and our own, then we need to stop calling ourselves Christian.
https://pres-outlook.org/2020/06/george-floyd-is-my-brother/
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Possible Next Steps on the Antiracism Journey PCUSA
Education
Advocate
Organize & Witness
Ideas for Congrgations and Mid-Councils
