Read the full issue of the May 4 Weekly Liberal.

In this week’s newsletter, Rev. Justin writes:

Were you able to attend worship last Sunday? On April 30, we joined over 600 other Unitarian Universalist churches in offering a worship service meant to explore the ways that white supremacy culture lives within Unitarian Universalism. Following the second service, members of our People of Color and Indigenous People Circle shared their reactions and responses to what they experienced in worship. It was a remarkable day. You can listen to most of the service here , including a definition of “white supremacy culture.”

During the service, after white congregants and staff shared brief reflections and wonderings on where they thought white supremacy culture was alive in the church, we invited the congregation to reflect as well, sharing written responses to these questions: “As we think about white supremacy, what aspect of our church culture do you hope we might examine further?” and ” As we leave this experience today, what do you hope to remember and carry with you?” We will continue to hold these questions in the days to come, with hearts full of curiosity, compassion, and a willingness to sit with discomfort.

It is my sacred intention to continue to listen to, and center, the voices of People of Color and Indigenous People. This practice begins to dismantle the “white supremacy culture” that places whiteness at the center of things. Our faith calls us to this holy and redemptive work, as messy, confusing, and challenging as it is, particularly for white people.

If you are a Person of Color or Indigenous Person at First Universalist and would like to get connected with our People of Color Circle, please reach out to me or to Michael Dotson (mdotson904@att.net) for assistance in making those connections.

Yours in faith,
Justin

P.S. If you are a white person looking for additional reading about whiteness and white supremacy culture, you might enjoy these pieces: White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard to Talk to White People About Racism by Robin D’Angelo, White People: I Don’t Want You To