Racial justice is the ongoing work of creating a society where all people—regardless of race—have equal access to opportunity, safety, dignity, and resources.
At DCC, we engage in learning, acts of service, advocacy, and activism. We actively challenge systems, policies, and practices that uphold racial inequality and work to replace them with ones that are fair, inclusive, and rooted in love.
We invite leaders engaged in Anti-Racism work and theology to speak during worship or educational sessions—both to support their work and to deepen our own understanding of the broader issues affecting our community and world.
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The team meets monthly and is exploring ways to bring the wider congregation into this important work. Some ideas under consideration include:
- Book and discussion groups centered on race and justice
- Workshops on ballot issues, advocacy, and ethical voting
- Opportunities to learn from educators and organizers
- Tools for speaking up and showing up in everyday life
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Second Hour Coffee Chats
The DCC Anti-Racism Team invites you all to join us during second hour on selected Sundays from 11:00am to Noon for a series we are calling Coffee Chats. These will be informal spaces for dialogue with some members of the team where we welcome you to bring your questions and reflections on anti-racism work. We envision this to be a time to learn from each other, and if desired, brainstorm ways to find answers to the questions we bring forth to the discussion. Feel free to join whichever (or however many) session(s) you are available for. There will be different team members present each week. Announcements for these chats are found in our weekly bulletin.Anti-Racism Learning Series
Our DCC Anti-Racism Learning Series will be quarterly events in which we discuss and reflect on various topics delivered through a variety of media (articles/podcasts/videos/speakers) as a way of learning together about different elements of anti-racism. Each of these sessions will be stand alone, so you are welcome to join whichever and however many sessions you choose. Future sessions will be listed here, along with zoom access information.
For many years, now, DCC has demonstrated a sincere commitment to justice, racial equity, and faithful public witness. We all are now witnessing the level of racism in society that is happening on a daily basis that is causing many of us to question our stories of what is real and true and long for practices that are spiritually grounding, relationally meaningful, and sustainable.
To revitalize and extend our commitment to Anti-Racism, DCC is offering a new workshop series—Ethnic Storytelling—that offers a refreshing entry point into this work. Rather than beginning with what people should “do” or should “know,” this process—facilitated by DCC friend the Rev. Riana Shaw Robinson—begins with who we already are: our families, migration stories, losses, values, faith traditions, and survival stories.
Workshops will be held on the following Sundays during Second Hour (lunch will be provided):
March 15
March 22
March 29
April 12
April 26For white Christians, this deep work is especially valuable. Whiteness often goes unnamed and unexamined, leaving justice work feeling external, intellectual, or burdensome. Naming one’s own ethnic story restores particularity, responsibility, and agency—without centering guilt or defensiveness. By connecting this way with ourselves and others, we can more readily see and identify areas of need and attention in our own world experience.
This process is designed to help us:
- Re‑ground justice commitments in faith, relationship, and story
- Reduce burnout by shifting from performative antiracism to formative practices
- Build the spiritual and relational capacity needed for long‑term justice engagement
Sign-ups will be held during coffee time in February/March and online.
Participation in each session is suggested but all are welcome no matter how many sessions they can attend. Visitors, friends, and neighbors are always welcome!
For more information, reach out to Barb DeBarger or Pastor Todd.