Around the Synod of the Sun
Sunspots are highlights of the many ministries and missions happening on the surface of
the Sun – That is, the Synod of the Sun. A region of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) with ALOT of dynamic and hopeful ministry happening in the name of Jesus Christ.
Some, but not all, of these podcasts cover topics related to racism. As a Matthew 25 Synod, our commitment to Dismantling Racism is a major emphasis of all our work. Our stories about that work can be found in the highlighted podcast episodes. All Sunspots episodes are here.
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Resolution of the
Racial Reconciliation Task Force
of the Presbytery of South Louisiana
A resolution denouncing the threats and hatred against Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) including Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana was approved at the Presbytery of South Louisiana meeting Tuesday, February 15, 2022.
Bridge Builders Reading Group
Westover Hills Pres. Church
Little Rock, AR
Book Study
All are invited. Our church, Westover Hills Presbyterian in Little Rock, initiated Bridge Builders Reading Group (BBRG) in the Fall of 2016 as a cross-cultural effort to build bridges across social and cultural boundaries. With the help of a planning team that included an anti-racism coach, BBRG has morphed into an ecumenical, interfaith, cross-cultural group that includes, thanks to Zoom, people from anywhere. The planning team, half of us African-American and half of us European-American, ordinarily offer two series each year. You are welcome to join us; see below.
We are excited to announce the Spring 2022 Bridge Builder book study: My Grandmother's Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies, by Resmaa Menakem. Menakem, a licensed social worker, looks at issues of race in a new way. Menakem makes the case that “we need to begin with the healing of trauma—in dark-skinned bodies, light-skinned bodies, our neighborhoods and communities, and the law enforcement profession…Social and political actions are essential, but they need to be part of a larger strategy of healing, justice, and creating room for growth in traumatized flesh-and-blood bodies.”
What if he’s right? Get your book now and join us for discussion.
Dates of spring series: Tuesdays, February 22, March 1, 8, 15 and 22, 6:30-8:30pm - We will meet by Zoom. Books are available through WordsWorth Books, Pyramid Art, Books & Custom Framing, or wherever you like to purchase books. To register, please email Liz Branch at erbranch@comcast.net. The Zoom link will come to you after you register.
Bridge Builder Reading Group Planning Team:
Rev. Carol-Ann Blow, Rev. Dr. Bill Branch, Liz Branch, Rev. Marion Humphrey, David Murray, Dr. Wynona Bryant-Williams
To register, please email Liz Branch at
erbranch@comcast.net
The Zoom link will come to you after you register.
Austin,
Texas
In Fall 2021, we engaged with Jemar Tisby's book The Color of Compromise. We'll begin on September 5th and gather on the 1st and 3rd Sundays all the way through February 2022.
To join us for this engaging work, contact danita@ncfaustin.org
Palo Duro Presbytery
Book Study
Greenwood Walk to the Cross
Two decades ago, it was a Tulsa Metropolitan Ministry Holy Week tradition, to offer a Good Friday stations of the cross worship experience for the community, told alongside the story of historic Greenwood.
Renewed in the last few years, and this year filmed and offered here, members and leaders of Christian communities around Tulsa used that original script to create a Good Friday 'Greenwood Walk to the Cross', connecting the words and prayers of the Christian faith with the landmarks of the Greenwood community.
We hope you will use this for your own reflection, and share it with others.
Thank you to the many who made this possible.
Greenwood is the neighborhood in Tulsa, OK which was burned to the ground during the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre and in which an unknown number of the prosperous community known as Black Wall Street were killed. Learn more here.
First Presbyterian Church-Elgin,
Westminster Presbyterian Church-Austin, and
University Presbyterian Church-San Antonio
are Certified as PC(USA) Earth Care Congregations.
Preston Hollow, Dallas, TX
Compassion, Peace and Justice Ministry
Embracing the invitation to be a Matthew 25 church, the Compassion, Peace & Justice ministries of the Presbyterian Mission Agency work to eradicate poverty, end systemic racism and bring tangible resources to impacted communities. Hear about some of the work these ministries do from Christian Brooks of the Office of Public Witness, the Rev. Lee Catoe of the Advisory Committe on Social Witness Policy and Unbound, Simon Doong of the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program, and the Rev. Edwin González-Castillo of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA). Video by David Barnhart of PDA's Story Ministry.
The Compassion, Peace & Justice (CPJ) ministry engages with Presbyterians and partners across the U.S. and internationally to:
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End poverty and hunger
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Restore communities impacted by disaster
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Promote peace and transform cultures of violence
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Promote solidarity with people
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Promote solidarity with Creation
Each ministry includes many programs. Take time to explore and find your perfect fit for this stage of your Antiracist journey.
Facing Racism
A Vision of the Intercultural Community
At the 222th General Assembly in 2016, we took the steps to revise our Antiracism policy from 1999. The white arrow above takes you to the full policy, Facing Racism. Facing Racism study guides can be found here.
Antiracist effort is an essential aspect of Christian discipleship, without which we fail to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ.
In 2020, GA overwhelmingly approved the resolution "Responding to the Sin of Racism and a Call to Action" in which we declare that Black Lives Matter; confess that the church has been complicit in perpetuating injustice; and pledge to confront and dismantle systemic racism in the church and in society.
At the end of both documents are guidelines for us to follow to do the work God calls us to do.
