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Anti-Racism Coordinating Committee

Mission Statement

The Anti-Racism Coordinating Committee’s mission is to oversee and coordinate thoughtful, prayerful, and meaningful work at Georgetown Presbyterian Church in pursuit of active consciousness about race and racism and community actions to end racial inequities - anti-racist work. Believing in the equality of humankind inherent in God’s creation (Genesis 1:27) and in God’s command to love one another as God loves us (John 15:12), we affirm that racism is incompatible with Christian belief and that anti-racism is inseparable from Christian belief. Given that racial identity leads to inequitable experience in a racialized society, anti-racist work seeks to address those inequities in our community and beyond in pursuit of the fruition of God’s kingdom on Earth.

The Committee will oversee the development and implementation of anti-racism work including: anti-racist educational programming for congregants that prioritizes the theological and personal perspectives and experiences of people of color; an expansion of the mission program to include activities and partners that specifically seek and promote racial justice as well as investment in mission partners led by people and communities of color; implementation of policies and processes that promote anti-racist hiring and nominating practices; and financial commitments to promote the economic thriving of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) individuals and communities.

Committee Members:

Robert Bell

Sam Cunningham

Jeremy Ebie

Gonzalo Ferro

Cynthia Johnson

Emma Marshall (chair)

Marianne Roos

Chuck Schilke

Dwight Smith

Rev. Rachel Landers Vaagenes

(9/20/2020)

Facing Racism: Task Force Update

Dear Sisters and Brothers of GPC, 

Throughout the summer, GPC has been engaged in listening sessions around the issue of race, led by the Facing Racism Task Force. Nearly 90 members of GPC signed up and made time for this important work. You shared thoughts, feelings, and stories about race in your lives. These were challenging sessions, and we are grateful for your openness, honesty, and vulnerability.

We know that GPC is a diverse place, and we treasure that. We also heard broad and consistent things from you. We heard that many of you grew up and still live in racially homogenous places. We heard that you love and value diversity, believing in God’s unconditional love for every person. We heard that you’re excited to gain better resources to understand what racism is, and how to respond to it from a Christian standpoint. And we heard that you see the church as being a good and appropriate place to have these conversations.

We agree. It’s time to talk about racism at church. We recognize that racism is a complex and evolving concept. It begins with a belief in the superiority of a particular race. It grows with active prejudice and antagonism from these beliefs. We reject these beliefs as they deny that humanity is made in God’s image, deeply loved and worthy of human dignity. We have an opportunity to love and care for our sisters and brothers of color by acknowledging racism as a sin, gaining a fuller understanding of what racism is, and committing to appropriate actions to face and eliminate racism. We know this won’t be easy. We know we’ll disagree about the appropriate steps. This is good. If we continue to be bound by love and respect for one another, these difficult conversations will help us grow.

We are making some concrete recommendations to the ministry leaders of GPC. With the support of the pastors and the Session, we’re recommending that we do the following:

Be unafraid to talk about racism. If we are to confront racism, it can’t be a taboo topic.

Acknowledge racism as sin. Racism hurts members of God’s family, and is an affront to God’s justice and love.

Learn about racism. We need to better understand what racism is and what our faith might have to say about it. This education must be front and center.

Be led by the perspectives and voices of people of color. This might involve inviting educators of color, or it might include following leaders of color, or partnering with mission partners directed by people of color for the uplift of those communities. 

These are broad recommendations, but in the hands of our congregation and leadership--in your hands--they will be translated into specific action through mission, education, worship, and other ministries. Coordinating all this will be a new ad-hoc committee to ensure that what you have asked for and what we believe is important will be put into practice.

The Reformed tradition has a strong history of engaging with the world. Anchored in and led by the Spirit of Christ and scripture, we are called to continue to witness faithfully to the world. We gather, learn, worship, and go out in faith knowing that Jesus goes with us, and that the work of seeking justice and reconciliation is a deeply Christian vocation. If you have questions, concerns, or just want to talk about what this means, please reach out to one of the pastors or one of the members of the Facing Racism Task Force, whose names are below. Above all, thank you for being willing to take important steps in faith.

God’s Peace,

The Session and Pastors of the Georgetown Presbyterian Church

Thanks to the Facing Racism Task Force Members: Elders Katie Seaman (chair), Nicholas Gray, Priscila Rodriguez, Marianne Roos, Rev. Rachel Landers Vaagenes

(8/26/2020)

Understanding Race in America:

Share Your Perspectives in Upcoming GPC Listening Sessions

The Georgetown Presbyterian Church is committed to Serving our City, United in Christ. In a world that can often seem like one big shouting match, this is a place where we speak to one another graciously, listen empathetically, and hold a diversity of ideas. Because of this, the Session is hosting a series of highly structured and moderated listening groups designed to hear one another around the issue of race. These will not be discussions or debates. The questions you will be asked to reflect on are open-ended, and everybody in attendance will be expected to refrain from making any judgments about other participants and to maintain strict confidentiality. No statements made during these sessions will be attributed to any individual by those administering the listening sessions.

We do not have any preconceived ideas about what we will hear from you during these sessions, and we do not have a predetermined course for what comes next. Our only objectives with these sessions is to hear from members of this congregation in your own voice, and to create an opportunity to speak openly and honestly without fear of reprisal. We expect there to be different views. We expect there to be different feelings. These will be spaces to be heard and to listen - nothing more, and nothing less. Speaking on a difficult topic with candor is difficult, and so we trust the Spirit of God to guide us through this together, as we seek to faithfully follow Jesus even when the outcome of doing so is uncertain.

GPC is uniquely positioned to model a faithful way forward. As Presbyterians, we seek to approach all matters, even difficult ones, decently, and in order. This first faithful step is essential in helping the Session to thoughtfully consider further steps. You are an important part of that.

(6/29/2020)

The Georgetown Presbyterian Church’s

Response to Racism

In the light of the death of George Floyd and other victims of racism before him, the Georgetown Presbyterian Church is called to speak and act. We repent for our sins and seek God’s kingdom. We offer the following statement, grounded in Scripture, as a guiding light for GPC’s prayerful and active response to racism. Additionally, we set out actions being taken by the Session and pastoral staff to promote the equal value of individuals regardless of race and the flourishing of all God’s people. 

Racism Is the Denial of the Image of God 

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14) 

Racism is a sin. Scripture affirms the truth that every human is made in God’s image, deeply loved, and worthy of human dignity. Therefore, any action that denies the gift of life that is from God denies the whole of God’s creation. We confess that our past words and actions against racism have been insufficient to erase this scourge of hatred from human hearts, and that we have failed to consider steps to work against racism with the urgency and priority warranted. We ask for forgiveness from God and from our sisters and brothers of color as we seek reconciliation anew. We lift up all those whose humanity is denied because of their race. 

“For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us.” (Ephesians 2:14) 

Jesus calls and requires us to love every other person as we love ourselves, recognizing their humanity and dignity. This includes fighting for their dignity to be afforded the same value as an image bearer of God as we would fight for our own value. Therefore, we seek unity in Christ, knowing that unity is both a gift and an obligation that we must pursue. Believing in the power of God’s grace and justice to bring about wholeness, we commit to prayerful action to promote healing and the flourishing of all people. We commit to seeking the Kingdom of God marked by freedom from fear, prejudice, and discrimination, and by the flourishing of all life. We commit to listening to voices that have been marginalized and silenced. We commit to learning from others. And we commit to working to break down walls wherever they may be, in our own hearts and in the world. These actions may be imperfect, but we cry out to God, asking that God’s strength be made perfect in our weakness and imperfection.  

“He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8) 

Session’s Plan of Action 

Georgetown Presbyterian Church strives to act as a place for thoughtful dialogue and Spirit led initiatives in a world too quick to oversimplify and divide. Although there are no easy and simple solutions to the realities of racism, we believe we are uniquely prepared for the hard work that is required. We are eager to undertake this work. The Session has formed three teams to plan and execute responses: 

1. Messaging Team – Developing communications, messaging, and responses to racism. 

2. Short-Term Responses – Working to research, develop, and recommend programs & activities GPC and its members can conduct to support efforts to oppose racism and heal racial divides. 

3. Long-Term Responses - Considering larger actions GPC as a church might take to combat racism and its effects We pray that these efforts will be fruitful, and that God will guide these teams.

If you would like to offer your time and talents to these efforts, you can reach out to the church at info@gtownpres.org. 

These times wear on the soul. Should you be in need of pastoral care, please reach out to a member of the pastoral staff. You can find contact information for the GPC pastoral team here.

(6/5/2020)