Social Justice
Social Justice is daily treating all people with kindness, equity and love as Christ taught us. Our goal is to take meaningful and positive steps toward ensuring all people truly experience the kindness, love and community that Jesus clearly preached in the Bible.
Racial Justice
We must truthfully confront our history of
racial injustice to repair its painful legacy.
Why not start with our church.
We Must Do More
It is so easy to freeze up when we hear a racist comment. It can be confusing to decide on whether it is safe, appropriate, or “our place” to speak up. Similarly, it can be quite difficult to criticize and question our own personal behaviors towards discrimination and racial injustice. It is within those challenges that a pledge against racism becomes a useful tool.
Our pledge is not an unrealistic promise to end racism and become a perfect human. Instead, it is a decision to answer the reflective questions how will I approach the racial injustices and discrimination that I witness in my life? When will I speak up, and when will I hold my tongue? What are the specific behaviors and goals that I will focus on doing to stop racial injustice?
In pledging against everyday racism and discrimination, I will:
Speak up when I hear or see racial injustice
Question and identify bias when I see it
Be mindful of my own behaviors
Promote and appeal to higher principles
Set limits on what is said or done around me
Seek help and help others to work against racial injustice
Work to be deliberately non-confrontational
Engage with love
Remain vigilant and persistent
Learn More
“Fair” Housing
By Walter Dunbar
In 1968, Congress passed the Fair Housing Act, which made it illegal to discriminate based on race or religion for home sales and rentals. However, a Black loan applicant is more than twice as likely to be denied a home mortgage than a white applicant. Read more about discrimination in housing.
Giving Thanks
By Sheniqua Ewers
As we celebrate Thanksgiving, we pray that the blessings that God has given are for all of us, not just some of us. Can we strive to see ourselves in each other, so we can all work, live and love together to make our lives the thanksgiving that God has intended? Read more about thankfulness.
“I Don’t See Color”
By Tammy Langston
Race and color has been woven into the fabric of our world. To say we don’t see color diminishes the existence and experiences of people of color. When we deny seeing color, aren’t we devaluing the image of God in the color of peoples that He created? Read more about race and color.
Voting Rights are Civil Rights
By Tammy Langston
The Racial Justice Team is sponsoring a postcard campaign to encourage people of color to vote in the upcoming election. The campaign, part of the national Reclaim Our Vote effort, seeks to register more voters and educate them on their rights. Read more about this project.
Police Reform
By Zuri A. Ewers
On July 31, 2020, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont signed House Bill 6004, An Act Concerning Police Accountability. Key points in this Bill include mandatory dashboard and body cameras for officers interacting with the public and the banning of chokeholds. Read more about police reform.
Open and Affirming
We welcome the total identity of each person, regardless of race, gender, age, sexual orientation, physical, mental or emotional challenges, ethnicity, education, or economic circumstance. Read our ONA statement here.
Being an Ally
Microaggressions
A microaggression is a verbal or nonverbal slight, often subtle and indirect, that displays an offensive attitude toward a member of a marginalized group. Many people who commit microaggressions do not realize that their comments and actions are hurtful to other people. Dr. Yolanda Flores Niemann explores microaggressions in this video.
Tone Policing
Tone policing focuses on the meaning behind a message, rather than the content of the message itself. This Five Minute Fight Against Racism video explains the phenomenon behind tone policing.
