Anti-Racism Team Update

100 congregation members completed the Anti-Racism Survey last month. Thank you for taking the time to give us your insight. We will share complete details of the survey results next month, after our Outreach Committee and Session have had an opportunity to review your responses. One preliminary theme is that we must continue and strengthen our efforts towards education equity. Here are some ways we are doing that:

• We continue to tutor at Schools #36 and #35.
• All tutors and parents are invited to the April-May six-week Anti-Racism small group series facilitated by Melanie Jones on Thursdays, 4:00-5:30pm, beginning April 8. Contact Melanie to register.
• At the school’s request, we are providing Attendance Award Baskets to students at School #35.
• The RocACTS Education Task Force is focusing on the anti-racism curriculum in Monroe County School Districts. Task Force members are collaborating with the Children’s Agenda and other parent groups and organizations in both the Rochester City School District and suburban districts. The Task Force meets the second and fourth Thursdays of the month at 6:00pm. Email Beth Laidlaw for meeting details.

Anti-Racism Rewind: listening and learning resources from last month’s weekly Congregational Updates

Read:

• Acts 10:9-23 and consider how the idea of abundance used 9-16 and in 17-23. Where do you see evidence of abundance at Third Church?
• Peggy McIntosh on Privilege: Of the 26 privileges McIntosh names, how many can you claim?

Listen:

• The Greater Rochester Black Agenda Group discussing reparations (taped the day the Attorney General released the findings in the Daniel Prude case.)
• 14 minute episode of the podcast Black History for White People “I’m Afraid I Will Offend Someone.” 
• Ms. Melanie Funchess, a Greater Rochester Black Agenda Group leader and founder of the Black Healer’s Network, speaking to RocACTS Clergy about Trauma and Culture Informed Response 

Watch:

• Watch The Black Church from PBS 
• Police Accountability Board Press Conference regarding Mother of three-year-old being pepper sprayed

Learn about Historically Black Colleges and Universities’ (HBCUs) relationship to the Presbyterian Church: Barber-Scotia College, Johnson C. Smith University, Stillman College

Act:

• Support one of the colleges linked above.
• Drop off reusable paper or plastic grocery bags (with handles) Saturday Mornings during Dining Room Ministry. Bags will be distributed both to Third Church’s Food Cupboard and the Beyond The Sanctuary food pantry organized by the Memorial AME Zion congregation.
• Donate to Third Church’s Food Cupboard and Beyond the Sanctuary (the Food Charities of Memorial AME Zion)