In 2008 the United Church of Chapel Hill established a new Economic Justice Covenant. This written covenant was preceded by many discussion, lectures, readings, and workshops about how a congregation might work towards being a better witness to the faith in Jesus. The work is just beginning to learn where this might take us.

As witnesses to the grace of God in all of creation, we strive to answer Jesus’ call to work for a world where both mercy and justice prevail, and all share in God’s abundance. Therefore, we, the congregation of the United Church of Chapel Hill, covenant with God and with one another to:

• Continue providing service and care for brothers and sisters in need.
• Educate ourselves on the root causes of poverty.
• Seek long-term ways of empowering the poor in our community.
• Stand against injustices that cause and perpetuate need.
• Strive for economic justice in all policies and activities associated with our church.
• Encourage and support one another in our own stewardship of God’s earth and its bounty.
• Unite with other organizations to address poverty and injustice in the world.

In 2009, General Synod of the UCC voted to approve An Economic Justice Covenant - A Resolution of Witness.

Anti-Racism Workshops

The United Church of Chapel Hill and its sister church, Fisher Memorial United Holiness Church in Durham jointly sponsor workshops and other educational programming related to undoing racism.

The following workshop is now scheduled for February 3-4, 2012 (8:30am-5:00pm).

Race remains an important indicator of success in US society. When other factors that are cited as the probable reasons for health or social problems (e.g., income, education, parent involvement, access to health insurance) are controlled for in statistical analyses, race remains an important independent predictor of health, social, education, criminal justice and other outcomes.

The Anti-Racism training, delivered by the Racial Equity Institute, LL,C is designed to build the capacity of educators, health practitioners, child welfare advocates, judicial representatives, other professionals and others who are interested in understanding and eliminating racial inequities, disparities and disproportionality within our society. These workshops are important for people of color and white people who want to dismantle racism. It has often been said, “An organized truth is more powerful than a disorganized lie.” These workshops provide an analysis that helps participants gain clarity about how racism is well-organized and at work in our institutional practices.

For more information on the workshops and trainers, click here.

For information on cost and registration form, click here. 

Tema Okun reads from her book: The Emperor Has No Clothes: Teaching About Race and Racism to People Who Don't Want to Know

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

5:45 pm

Tema Okun will be reading from her new book:  The Emperor Has No Clothes: Teaching About Race and Racism to People Who Don't Want to Know

The book offers theoretical grounding and practical approaches for leaders and teachers interested in effectively addressing racism and other oppressive constructs. The book draws both on the author's extensive experience teaching about race and racism in classroom and community settings and from the theory and practice of a wide range of educators, activists, and researchers committed to social justice.
 

The book will sell for $25 at the reading.   For more information about the book, the author, and the work, click here. 

We are planning a light meal and it will cost $8 per person or $20 per family.  Please RSVP and let us know if you plan to attend this event by sending an email to office@unitedchurch.org with subject line: Tema Okun.