Session I - This is Holy Ground

“When the LORD saw that he was coming to look, God called

Then the LORD said, "Don't come any closer! Take off your sandals, because you are standing on holy ground."”

Exodus 3:5 (CEB)

Session Goals

Establish a sense of collective covenant, flowing with grace and accountability

Develop group rapport

Demonstrate the holy nature of this work through collective worship

Homework

Unpacking the Invisable Napsack

Cummings Identity Map

Session II - How Were We Formed?

“For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me…

Indeed, I was born guilty, a sinner when my mother conceived me.”

Psalm 51:3-5 (NRSV)

Session Goals

Establish key vocabulary and definitions surrounding race and racism

Provide framework for group covenant

Examine how individual identity is formed

Homework

READ - Racism and the Christian Church in America: Caught between the Knowledge of Good and Evil

READ - Churches played an active role in slavery and segregation. Some Want to Make Amends

Session III - Say it ain't so.

[Pilate asked] “Are you the King of the Jews?”…Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.”

John 18:33-36 (NRSV)

Session Goals

Establish that the Kingdom of God is not like the kingdom of this world

Discuss the role of Christian Institutions in perpetuating racism

Homework

READ - Jesus - An Interpretation (Chapter 1 of Jesus and the Disinherited)

READ/Listen - Notice the Rage; Notice the Silence, (Resma Menakem with Krista Tippett)

Session IV - Who do folks say I am?

Session Goals

Discover Jesus and his ministry

Pactice vulnerability within the cohort

Homework

Session V - Stand in the gap.

Session Goals

Homework

Session VI - Go where I send thee.

Session Goals

Homework