Framing Systemic Racism

—Jane McBride, pastor of First Congregational Church of MN, UCC in Minneapolis

The culture of white supremacy, like the air we breathe, forms us deeply, and yet also, for the most part, unconsciously.

Reading fantasy stories with my daughter, we are awash in symbolism: light and white are good and darkness and blackness are evil. As she makes a poster for her school project on native peoples, filled with historic photos, I wonder aloud whether she ever learns in school about the native people that are still here?  After a hail storm, the insurance company paid to replace our siding (my spouse and I are white), while our next door neighbors (a BIPOC couple) received no compensation. Read more here about patterns of racial discrimination related to homeowners insurance.

At church, we are beginning to be able to identify ways that our community operates out of the values of white supremacy culture – dualism, scarcity, dominance, secrecy, competition, and disposability.

It’s critical for us to view racism as more than an individual problem that can be solved by the transformation of our personal biases. It is a systemic reality that needs systemic intervention. Those of us serving on the Ad Hoc Anti-Racism Committee of the Conference have learned to frame racism as the combination of race prejudice and the misuse of power by systems and institutions. 

Racism isn’t my fault or your fault. It is our inheritance. People of all racial identities are enmeshed in a culture that dehumanizes us all. Collectively, we are suffering from a festering spiritual wound that robs us of the abundant life the Creator intends for creation, and that prevents us from being the beloved community Jesus came to embody.

At the same time, white people and institutions bear particular responsibility for transforming this destructive culture. For this reason, the Ad Hoc Anti-Racism Committee is proposing that the Conference form a permanent “Committee to Dismantle White Supremacy”. This committee will make anti-racism work a permanent part of who we are, and will be a catalyst for imagining a new and more life-giving way of being church.

The misuse of power is our inheritance. So is the power of liberation. How will we use our power in this moment?

Read more about the work of the Ad Hoc Anti-Racism Committee.

Slido Returns with the Annual Meeting

We are excited to announce that Slido is back for our Annual Meeting, providing easy access to all forms, handouts, and information. Slido can even help people gauge the meeting beforehand, while allowing for real-time interaction throughout the weekend!

Starting now, simply go to slido.com, hit enter and use the event code: MNCUCC. On Slido, you'll find helpful resources, engagement tools, and be able to connect with the Annual Meeting Planning Work Group all the way through closing worship on June 8.

Still wondering "What's Slido?" LEARN MORE

Pre-Annual Meeting Music Jam

Thursday, June 6, 7:30 – 9:30 pm, St. Benedict’s College

Bring an instrument. Bring listening ears and tapping feet. All are welcome! We will kick off pre-Annual Meeting fun with this Music Jam. Anyone who plays an instrument and is interested in playing with others is welcome to join. Enjoy some good music on a summer evening with colleagues and friends! This is an informal opportunity to play and hear music, have some fun and relax. All voices and feeling welcome, sound-makers, too. 

Plugged or unplugged is optional with audio considerations for participants. Reach out to Kelly Gallagher (kellyg@uccmn.org) if you have any questions. Beer, wine and beverages will be available for purchase.

Get Ready for Twin Cities Pride!

This year the Minnesota Conference of the United Church of Christ will celebrate our presence at the Pride Festival with a vendor booth. We are looking for volunteers to staff the booth, share the extravagant welcome of the UCC and the Minnesota Conference, and bring your own little sparkle! SIGN UP HERE TO VOLUNTEER.

If anyone wants to schedule a "Seed Packing Party" to create seed packets to hand out at Pride, contact Kelly Gallagher at kellyg@uccmn.org.

Partner News & Events

Generative Artificial Intelligence for Churches

June 18, 1 pm CT via Zoom

Heather Kimmel, General Counsel for the United Church of Christ, will discuss the potential and pitfalls of AI in faith-based communities. Join the Insurance Board for an enlightening presentation on the risks and rewards of using generative artificial intelligence in churches and gain valuable insights into policy development for mitigating potential risks.

REGISTER or download a flyer.

Joys & Concerns

Our sympathy to Associate Conference Minister Kevin Brown and his family as they celebrate the life and grieve the death of Kevin's father, John Brown. Read John's obituary here.

A Service of Closure and Farewell for Rev. Jean Boese will be held Sunday, June 16, at 10am at St. Paul's UCC, 12925 County Road 9, Eyota, MN 55934.

Upcoming Conference Events

• June 6: Not Your Average Boundaries Training (registration closes 5/29)
• June 6: What Do We Mean by White Supremacy Training (registration closes 5/29)
• June 7-8: Annual Meeting
• June 10-12: Effective Transitional Leadership Training
• July 17-20: Regional Youth Event
• August 11-13: Clergy Family Retreat
• September 13-15: Women's Retreat: You Are a Story
• October 11-13: Fall Conference Youth Event

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