Thank you taking the time to check out what we have in store this summer, in terms our third hosting of the “Faith and Race” depth class, held at our community center, café, and church, all at Quest. We are hoping to continue the dialogue begun in the Spring of 2003 at our church, on a historic and very contemporary problem in the United States: namely the persistent problem of “race” or the “racialized society” that we live in. At the core of these discussions, we are hoping to provide a Christ-centered, biblical, theological, foundation and space for thinking through these issues—not always an easy task for the church historically.
Faith. Race. The Church. If the connecting points of these words sound familiar, or unfamiliar, or if for many of us this raises some eyebrows—one might question the relevancy of discussing these topics together, or even if these topics can be broached within the evangelical community at all—we eagerly look forward to the weekly meetings from July 11-August 1, plus an ending potluck on August 8, from 7-9:30 (five weeks total). For each week, we will have readings to inform and challenge our understanding of issues surrounding “race” and “racialization” in a compiled reader, along with teachings every week, a video presentation, and plenty of small group time, to help us dialogue, build community, and awareness both of our own responsibilities in terms of these issues, as well our society’s, and church’s.
For this year, we’ve also tried to come up with a theme, or cohering “case study” of the issues at hand (racism and the individual, societal, and church’s response), and will be presenting a recent documentary created by Keith Beauchamp on the “Untold Story of Emmett Louis Till.” If you have some time, please look up the following websites for basic information on both Keith Beauchamp, Emmett Till, and Emmett Till’s mother, Ms. Mobley and her incredible testimony: PBS.ORG and ABCNEWS. To reiterate, this year’s depth class will not be solely focusing on the life of Emmett Till, Ms. Mobley, or Keith Beauchamp. Rather, we are hoping to allow the documentary and life of Till to speak to us, so that we can reflect on the historic problem of race, our role in this social structure, and our society and church’s own responsibility to push back against this “moving sidewalk” of racism, as one scholar and activist, Beverly Daniel Tatum, defines and illustrates.
By thoughtfully reflecting on the various definitions, voices, and histories of people, both in the past and the present, we are seeking to present a depth class, where we, as a church body, can continually draw deeper into this societal problem. Again, the hope is to present a forum where we are able to reflect and pray about whether we individually or collectively may indeed play either an active, or even passive, part in the larger and historic racial divide in America. In doing so, we want to get to the source and core issues involved in this socially injust phenomena, and begin to work against these deeply rooted issues. And though this is largely a five week “depth class,” it is our hope that the issues will become a regular part of our church “rhythm” as well.
Again, thank you so much for your interest, and hope to see and meet you at the weekly meetings. These depth classes have been the result of many different people: Pastor Eugene and the Staff here at Quest, previous leaders and facilitators, and other invested folks in the area and our church. Without the support, attendance, encouragement, and vocal support, this would not be possible. We thank you all, and many more people who have been thinking, praying, and supporting this event.
If you have not registered yet, please contact us, either at church, or through the Quest webpage. We will also have to ask everyone to register early so that we can make an appropriate amount of readers, and will also have to ask for a slight fee ($20) to help defray the costs. Scholarships are available if needed. Simply ask.
Thus, on behalf of the staff and volunteers of this year’s “Faith and Race” Depth Class, Part III (Summer 2006), we want to extend to you a warm welcome to our church, community café, and hope that exciting things are also in store for you as individuals, where you work and live, the communities around you, as well as the church(es) we hold dear.
Sincerely,
David Cho | 2006 F&R Coordinator
Teachers and Facilitators:
Chad Anderson, Melinda Anderson, Sam Chon, Dan Hauge, Nancy Olsten, DeAnza Spaulding, and Mark To
