We in the Southern Ohio and Kentucky District have always strived to be intentional about addressing the concerns in our society. For instance, during a Missional Renewal Team meeting shortly after George Floyd was murdered on May 25, 2020, the conversation centered on that tragedy and the epidemic of violence against people of color, along with the systemic racial injustice in our country triggering this violence.
Intercultural Ministries
Reading in the neighborhood
Central Church of the Brethren in Roanoke, Va. (Virlina District), formed a Race Education Team in 2019. Through racial justice studies led by the team, Central’s congregation learned about disparities in educational achievements, particularly the ability to read well, in low-income schools with large Black and Hispanic populations.
United Nations General Assembly commemorates calls for the elimination of racism
The United Nations General Assembly, held Sept. 21-15 in New York, on day two commemorated the Durban Declaration and Program of Action (DDPA), which was adopted in 2001 at the world conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia, and Related Intolerance in Durban, South Africa. The trans-Atlantic slave trade, apartheid, and colonialism were recognized as sources of much modern-day racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance.
Lisa Sharon Harper takes NOAC along on a journey wrestling with identity
undertook a journey to wrestle with her identity. The journey took her along the Trail of Tears as well as into the heart of slavery in the American South.
‘If we want to find God, we need to be with the victims of this oppression and prejudice’
For the past year, Minnesota has been in the national news following the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. The prosecution and defense attorneys wrapped up their case in the trial of Officer Chauvin this week, and on Monday will present their closing arguments. Then the state, city, and nation await the verdict of the jury.
Twelve mini-grants are given through program for Racial Justice and Healing Racism
Twelve congregations and districts across the denomination have received mini-grants for Racial Justice and Healing Racism through the Church of the Brethren Intercultural Ministries:
Two-part Ventures course to focus on cultural competency
The May offering from the Ventures in Christian Discipleship program at McPherson (Kan.) College will be “The Ministry of Jesus, Ubuntu and Cultural Competency for These Times” led by LaDonna Sanders Nkosi, director of Intercultural Ministries for the Church of the Brethren. The course will be held online in two evening sessions May 4 and May 11 at 6-8 p.m. – 8 p.m. (Central time).
Mission and Ministry Board meeting focuses on new strategic plan
The Mission and Ministry Board of the Church of the Brethren held spring meetings via Zoom on Friday through Sunday, March 12-14, 2021. Main items of business continued work on the board’s new strategic plan and received year-end financial reporting for 2020.
Intercultural Ministries offers new events on healing racism, extends grant deadline
The Church of the Brethren Intercultural Ministries has announced the next two events in its ongoing series on healing racism, both online. The ministry also is extending the deadline for applying for a Healing Racism Mini-grant.
Westminster church uses mini-grant to present webinar series on racial justice
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.
