racial justice task force

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.

Over the past year, with the news filled with stories of hate, division, and violence, it is evident that we and our fellow citizens are not following these commandments. A key question considered by our Racial Justice Task Force was, “What time is it in the world?”

We determined that it is time for UCC Norwell to take immediate action to work diligently and faithfully toward becoming an antiracist church, as envisioned by the Church Council by doing the following:

developing and nurturing partnerships

With other Norwell churches
With other UCC churches
With New Nursery School and Linden Ponds Community Church
With the Southern New England Conference of the UCC and national UCC
With local racial justice orgs: Black Lives Matter Norwell, All Are Welcome Committee, etc.
With South Shore People of Color groups by sharing our resources, lending our space, etc.

investing in training, education, and development for all

Anti-racism training for staff + leaders
Small groups
Church-wide + community events
Facilitator training
Creation or use of an established curriculum
Collecting and organizing library resources and resources on our website

engaging ministry teams in evaluation and action plans

Racial justice audit with ministry teams
Working with cohort leads
Facilitating conversations and generating actionable plans with Ministry teams

cultivating a bold, Christian witness within and beyond our UCC NORWELL community

Worship series
Web presence
Events throughout the year(s)
Outward sign

Our work will feature:

Clear, coordinated, consistent strategy and communications to link all events and programs and maintain awareness, enthusiasm, and participation over the long-term
Multiple modes of engagement, infused into all aspects of our church life
Groundedness in scripture and Christian spiritual practices
Sustainability, faithfulness, boldness, and joy

Timeline

Spring 2021

Form Ministry Team

Summer 2021

Host movie nights (late Summer)
Plan Fall book study or small group with training for facilitators
Ministry Team builds plan for the program year including proposing a budget

Fall 2021

Facilitation training for small group leaders
Small groups kick-off
Staff antiracism training
Leadership antiracism training