One Body, Many Members: Anti-racist Conversations
Welcome to the affinity group, “One Body, Many Members: Anti-racist Conversations.” We gather to address issues related to racism and consider how best to be anti-racists. We do this through dialogue, and action in our congregations and communities. Currently we are meeting on the second Saturday of each month at 10:30 a.m. To receive the Zoom link and to be added to our email list, contact Deacon Jenny Frantz, [email protected].
If you would like to know more about being an anti-racist, check out this YouTube video: "When it comes to racism, are you a non or an anti?" https://youtu.be/FuzZzp0u66I
-Hosts for in-person gatherings are asked to provide refreshments. Lunch may be provided, or we can have a potluck.
-All Zoom meetings begin at 10:30am and end at noon.
-In-person meetings begin at 10:30am and end at noon with a meal following.
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:12 (NRSV)
If you would like to know more about being an anti-racist, check out this YouTube video: "When it comes to racism, are you a non or an anti?" https://youtu.be/FuzZzp0u66I
-Hosts for in-person gatherings are asked to provide refreshments. Lunch may be provided, or we can have a potluck.
-All Zoom meetings begin at 10:30am and end at noon.
-In-person meetings begin at 10:30am and end at noon with a meal following.
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:12 (NRSV)
Next Meeting:
Saturday, September 14, 2024 on Zoom
Contact Pastor Jonathan Stufft with questions: [email protected]
Future Meetings:
September 14: Zoom
October 12: In Person
November 9: Zoom
December 14: Zoom
January 11, 2025: Zoom
October 12: In Person
November 9: Zoom
December 14: Zoom
January 11, 2025: Zoom
What We've Been Up To: A Visit to the Charles H. Wright Museum
On July 29th of this year, seventeen members (including two children) of the Synod affinity group, “One Body, Many Members: Anti-racist Conversations,” visited the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit, Michigan. “We wanted to have the opportunity to directly experience the information we’ve been reading and educating ourselves about,” says Pr. Julianne Smith, member. “Over the past year, we’ve been reading the book, "Be the Bridge: Pursuing God’s Heart for Racial Reconstruction," by Latasha Morrison and wanted to do something interactive. Ending racism goes beyond reading and talking. It is essential to have those immersive experiences to understand those different from you. It was an excellent opportunity for us to do just that.”
The museum is a walk-at-your-own-pace interactive experience. The idea is that you are on a journey through the history of African Americans, beginning in West Africa. Although there was an option for a guide, the group members decided going at their own pace would be more personal, and it was. The journey through the museum began with a historical display of pre-slavery West Africa that featured displays such as different market scenes, and one illustrating how mitochondria DNA was traced back to a single "Eve” from West Africa, demonstrating how we all can have connections to Africa. The journey then progressed to many other scenes displaying the different parts of African American history. These included the slave trade, post-slavery America following the Civil War, African Americans at the turn of the twentieth century, the beginnings of the Civil Rights Movement, the Harlem Renaissance, Black Wall Street, and the election of President Barack Obama.
“Overall, it was a very sobering experience. There were a lot of parts that were incredibly difficult to look at,” notes Pr. Julianne, “…especially the slave ship display. It was very emotional.” She then commented on how the group would love to make another trip to the museum. “Everyone should visit this incredible museum. I felt we didn’t have enough time to go through everything. You need at least two days to walk through and experience it all. We hope to schedule a return visit in the future.”
One Body Many Members: Anti-racist Conversations Affinity Group began as a group called “Cross-Cultural Conversations.” The group soon changed its name to emphasize its primary focus on anti-racism. The group holds monthly meetings, partakes in sharing resources, and carries out book studies to educate members on anti-racism. Anyone is welcome to be a member, and the group is always finding ways to become more supportive and active. To learn more, please visit this page on our website. To learn more about the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, please visit their website here.
The museum is a walk-at-your-own-pace interactive experience. The idea is that you are on a journey through the history of African Americans, beginning in West Africa. Although there was an option for a guide, the group members decided going at their own pace would be more personal, and it was. The journey through the museum began with a historical display of pre-slavery West Africa that featured displays such as different market scenes, and one illustrating how mitochondria DNA was traced back to a single "Eve” from West Africa, demonstrating how we all can have connections to Africa. The journey then progressed to many other scenes displaying the different parts of African American history. These included the slave trade, post-slavery America following the Civil War, African Americans at the turn of the twentieth century, the beginnings of the Civil Rights Movement, the Harlem Renaissance, Black Wall Street, and the election of President Barack Obama.
“Overall, it was a very sobering experience. There were a lot of parts that were incredibly difficult to look at,” notes Pr. Julianne, “…especially the slave ship display. It was very emotional.” She then commented on how the group would love to make another trip to the museum. “Everyone should visit this incredible museum. I felt we didn’t have enough time to go through everything. You need at least two days to walk through and experience it all. We hope to schedule a return visit in the future.”
One Body Many Members: Anti-racist Conversations Affinity Group began as a group called “Cross-Cultural Conversations.” The group soon changed its name to emphasize its primary focus on anti-racism. The group holds monthly meetings, partakes in sharing resources, and carries out book studies to educate members on anti-racism. Anyone is welcome to be a member, and the group is always finding ways to become more supportive and active. To learn more, please visit this page on our website. To learn more about the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, please visit their website here.