Dear Caldwell Family and Friends,
ARCC (Anti-Racism Council at Caldwell) is charged “to prayerfully, courageously, boldly, and faithfully study, envision, and chart a way forward for our ongoing growth as an anti-racist community of faith.” This is a multifaceted calling that has engaged us in various aspects of our life together. We continue, with you, to learn and to strive together as we do the hard work of dismantling institutional racism and nurturing Beloved Community at Caldwell. We write now to introduce our efforts to some, to update the congregation and friends on some of the things we have been doing, and to share with all some upcoming opportunities.
While there had been congregational studies and conversations around “Deep Diving into Racism” led by Lori Thomas; followed by a book study group that has discussed books written by such authors as Mick Dyson, Isabelle Wilkerson, Bryon Stevenson, Michelle Alexander, Ibram X. Kendi and the like; early in Caldwell’s organized journey, ARCC initiated a training of both ARCC and Session with Crossroads. This helped us to begin to develop tools and language for our shared journey. The partnership with Crossroads encountered a hiccup as they began to internally reassess their own organizational plans and priorities. (They have since resolved those issues and we will assess at a later date how we might once again be in partnership given their new structure of offerings.) https://nextchurch.net/antiracism-work/ In spite of, and maybe because of, this partnership we have worked hard to hold ourselves accountable and assist with ongoing anti-racism training and strategic planning.
Following a disastrous lapse in judgement around our efforts facilitating our Juneteenth gathering in 2023, we engaged Kimberlee Yolanda Williams as a coach to assist us in an individual and group journey of healing, redemption, and love. Kimberlee has helped ARCC acquire additional tools that we use in community to better understand, relate and be accountable to each other. In November, she was well received when she led the congregation in a first Racial Healing retreat. The second part of that event will be Friday evening, November 15 and Saturday, November 16. We hope you will mark your calendar and plan to attend.
We strove to repair some of the damage regarding our efforts Juneteenth 2023, (Read the ARCC Apology to BIPOC here) and looked to a better opportunity for growth in knowledge and relationship building. This year, we sponsored a congregational event to participate in the Juneteenth celebration with our new friends at First Baptist West. They combined biblical themes from Exodus with Juneteenth for this year’s multi-generational Vacation Bible School, and they shared their learnings in their Friday program, which included music and African dance and concluded with a wonderful Juneteenth meal. We’ll be surveying and accessing the success of this event in the immediate future.
As part of our indigenous peoples’ learning, ARCC rented a bus trip to go to the Catawba Nation and enjoyed a day of celebration at their annual pow-wow which is held each year in November. We will organize another visit this year even though our budget doesn’t cover the expense of a bus. Stay tuned for a date and transportation logistics and for other activities around Indigenous People’s Day, October 14th.
ARCC led the effort during Black History Month to have Black preachers to bring us the Word each Sunday and liturgy that focused on themes of liberation and justice. This aligned with our 2024 Lenten emphasis which was cosponsored by A.C.E. (Adult Continuing Education). The study centered on the book Lent of Liberation: Confronting the Legacy of American Slavery. There were 40 daily devotions for the days of Lent, and the ACE Sunday school class discussed the readings each week. We also held 2 evening online discussions and one in-person conversation on Good Friday. At least 40 people participated in various opportunities.
ARCC helped to institutionalize a Reparations Offering on the 4th Sunday of each month. With the participation of Session, Worship and the music staff, Caldwell has decided on this avenue for a reparations fund as a meaningful way to offer up some measure of repentance and repair in some way the damage done by institutionalized racism that did not pay writers and performers of much of the traditional gospel music that we sing in worship. Funds are assigned to assist in Black youth talent and Black musical initiatives within Charlotte. This novel approach to reparations also breaks with the tradition form and order of worship. This speaks to the spirit of our worship. Caldwell’s first Reparation recipient was Inspire the Fire https://inspirethefire.org/, and then our own ITF for our hymnal purchases.
Similarly to the year before last, we are currently sponsoring Saturday Nights at the Movies whereby we are featuring a series of movies in July. We will watch and have challenging discussions as we bond in community. Our series this year include: “Summer of Soul”, “American Son”, “One Night in Miami” and “Whose Streets.” Just bring a brown bag for dinner, if necessary, and join us in Hope Hall. No registration required.
Last fall, about 25 members and friends of Caldwell walked through Uptown Charlotte with ARCC, on a guided tour by the Rev. Greg Jarrell, in search of “stories of exclusions and invisibilities.” Since then, Greg’s book, Our Trespasses: White Churches and the Taking of American of American Neighborhoods, has come out. Two of Caldwell’s book groups have also read and discussed the book. Interest has been expressed in scheduling another walk with Greg. We are in discussion with Greg, so stay tuned for a date in early 2025.
Much is happening within the Charlotte landscape regarding the journey to become antiracist. Caldwell members continue to participate and ARCC affirms that participation. Be it Confronting Whiteness Conference, book signings and discussions, or national speaker events, through these efforts we continue to form community. Even though these are not events organized by ARCC, it is gratifying to see this commitment to learning and in growing new friendships and partnerships.
ARCC meets on the fourth Sunday of each month. Grounded our work in our faith, beginning our meetings with reflections from the book Psalms for Black Lives. We use a shared leadership model, in which we voluntarily take turns to facilitate, take notes, lead the devotion and attend Session. We also take turns serving as gatekeeper, whose job it is to call out anything in which we fall short of our anti-racist values, as we agree to hold one another and our community accountable. If you think you might be sensing a call to be a part of this work, we invite you to talk to anyone on ARCC to explore the possibility.
Some Important Upcoming Events
Brunch and Learn on “Reparations”: Saturday, Oct. 25: 10:00 – 12:30
Racial Healing Workshop ……………………Friday evening Nov. 15 and Sat, Nov. 15
Field Trip to Catawba Reservation……… TBD
ARCC Members: Kimbo Bohannon, Fran Hayes, Kevin Martin, Alyssa Mouton, Diane Mowrey, Felicia Pine, Rosa Ramirez, Jim Thompson
Share your reactions in Caldwell Conversations. Let us know what you think. To communicate with ARCC directly, email us at arcc@caldwellpresby.org.