Presbyterian Mission Agency Racial Justice Archives

The PC(USA)’s newly formed White Ally Network convenes in Charlotte, North Carolina

Posted October 4th, 2023

The Rev. Shanea D. Leonard, director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency’s Racial Equity & Women’s Intercultural Ministries (RE&WIM), has been doing the work of dismantling oppressive systems for more than two decades. In their work they found that this requires white people teaching and facilitating white people. The hard conversations and unfiltered truths that come from fully embodying this work is often a lighter burden when white people are doing this self-work together without the emotional labor of their Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) siblings. Leonard’s discovery led to the formation of the White Ally Network — a working title — which met last week for the first time in Charlotte, North Carolina.

… a path forward is starting to take shape …

Posted September 1st, 2023

I’m not sure how to describe the day and the talking circle we had yesterday. Plus, it is late and I’m really tired, but I want to pass some things along before I collapse. The last couple of days have been really hard, but the path forward is starting to become clearer. It will entail more work moving forward, but I think it will be good work on many levels.

Presbyterians building partnerships for protest and resistance in Louisville

Posted August 31st, 2023

Momentous events in Black history have occurred in August over the years:

Perhaps vulnerability is what God was looking for …

Posted August 29th, 2023

In 2022, the 225th General Assembly approved an overture to meaningfully address the wounds inflicted on Alaska Natives, who were directly impacted by the sin of the unwarranted 1963 closure of Memorial Presbyterian Church, a thriving, multiethnic, intercultural church in Juneau, Alaska.

‘She speaks’ seeks to center women’s voices on the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington

Posted August 29th, 2023

Righting a wrong from its celebrated predecessor 60 years ago, when just one woman was invited to speak during the March on Washington, about three dozen women spoke Monday on the 60th anniversary of the original march during “She Speaks,” billed as “a virtual assembly to fight for the same demands that were made 60 years ago, demands that our nation’s leaders have yet to fulfill.”

What if?

Posted August 24th, 2023

In 2022, the 225th General Assembly approved an overture to meaningfully address the wounds inflicted on Alaska Natives, who were directly impacted by the sin of the unwarranted 1963 closure of Memorial Presbyterian Church, a thriving, multiethnic, intercultural church in Juneau, Alaska.

Want to push for more justice? The PC(USA)’s Samantha Davis has ways to make that happen

Posted August 24th, 2023

For people and congregations wondering how to get started in their push for justice for people of color, women and the queer community, “A Matter of Faith: A Presby Podcast” featured the perfect guest last week: Samantha Davis, the associate for Gender, Racial and Intercultural Justice in the Presbyterian Mission Agency’s Racial Equity & Women’s Intercultural Ministries.

Restorative Actions explains to Synod School the work it’s undertaken

Posted August 3rd, 2023

Born in the Synod of Lakes and Prairies, Restorative Actions describes itself as “a grassroots voluntary initiative for churches, individuals, mid councils and agencies of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), as well as ecumenical partners and interested organizations, to take a leadership stance in opposed to racism and racial privilege” by allowing “U.S. Americans who benefit from institutional racism to provide a credible witness for justice by surrendering ill-gotten gains toward the establishment of just relationships with Afro-Americans and Indigenous communities.”

Presbyterians help plant shade trees

Posted July 18th, 2023

Trailblazers Program teaches young people and film production and racial justice work by Mark Koenig | Special to Presbyterian News Services LOUISVILLE, Kentucky – “They keep coming.” The affirmation… Read more »

On Juneteenth, Black Presbyterian leaders share their thoughts on congregational stability and church financial reimagination

Posted June 19th, 2023

In a conversation recorded earlier and aired on Monday during the Juneteenth celebration, the Rev. Michael Lynn Moore, intercultural associate for Racial Equity & Women’s Intercultural Ministries, welcomed four panelists for an online discussion on “Forty Acres, No Mule: A Conversation of Black Presbyterian Leaders on Congregational Stability and Church Financial Reimagination.” Watch their hour-long discussion here.