Westminster (Md.) Church of the Brethren’s Peace and Justice Committee is presenting a webinar series on racial justice in March. The series is funded by a grant obtained through the “mini-grant” program for Racial Justice and Healing Racism of the Church of the Brethren’s Intercultural Ministry.
The church “is excited to host a series of four webinars on racial justice,” said an announcement. “Our speakers include Ms. Judy Saunders-Jones and Dr. Richard M. Smith, the co-founders of the Racial Healing Clinic in Baltimore, Md., who will be presenting two racial justice topics on March 2 and March 9. Our speaker on March 23 is Rev. Dr. Marty Kuchma of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Westminster. Our series will conclude on March 30 with Dr. Raza Kahn, the President of the Islamic Society of Carroll County, Md.”
The Speaker Series on Racial Justice:
March 2 at 7 p.m. (Eastern time) – “Healing the Racial Divide: What and Why” with Judy Saunders-Jones and Richard Smith
March 9 at 7 p.m. (Eastern) – “Healing the Racial Divide: How” with Saunders-Jones and Smith
Saunders-Jones is co-founder of the Jones and Smith Racial Healing Clinic in Baltimore and the Equity and Inclusion officer for Carroll County Public Schools. She has 27 years of experience in the Maryland public schools and a successful history of organizing programs on equity and cultural proficiency. In 2019, she received the Maryland Multicultural Coalition’s Jack Epstein Award for contributions in multicultural education.
Smith is co-founder of the Jones and Smith Racial Healing Clinic, associate professor of sociology and special advisor to the provost on Diversity Initiatives at McDaniel College, and a diversity consultant and trainer for Carroll County Public Schools. He was the 2020 recipient of the Ira G. Zepp Distinguished Teaching Award at McDaniel College.
March 23 at 7 p.m. (Eastern) – “Discovering Racism in the Teaching and Learning of History” with Marty Kuchma
Kuchma, senior pastor of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Westminster for nearly 16 years, also is senior adjunct professor at Lancaster (Pa.) Theological Seminary and adjunct faculty in the Social Work Department at McDaniel College. He has been a recipient of the Carroll County Human Relations Commission annual award. He has presented and consulted widely on race and racism and is finalizing a book intended to help white people meaningfully engage in the work of anti-racism.
March 30 at 7 p.m. (Eastern) – “Transformation of a Belonging: Healing the Wounds of Injustice and Racism” with Raza Khan
Khan is president of the Islamic Society of Carroll County and division chair of sciences and program director of STEM Scholars at Carroll Community College. He earned his bachelor’s degree and doctorate in chemistry from Howard University. He was selected as keynote speaker for the 2020 Carroll County Human Relations Commission for his service to bring understanding, an open forum of dialogue, and harmony between faith-based congregations.
Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_DDwMM-nCSiGaDXnquKss3A. Once registered, you may sign in to any or all of the webinars. For additional information contact office@westminsterbrethren.org.
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