As evidenced in the wake of the May 25, 2020 murder of George Floyd, and numerous attacks on our siblings of color across the nation, the movement for racial justice cannot be separated from faith commitments to do justice and love our neighbors. As divides deepen across our country and world, we are being called to grow our capacity for interdependence and nurture connections that value difference and promote equity.
Every setting of the UCC, from local churches to global partners, has a role to play in expanding our practices of antiracism and strengthening our capacities as partners and participants in the burgeoning racial justice movements of our time. In this effort, story-sharing is a key component. Our stories show us not only who we are, but also inspire who we may become. Providing opportunities to encounter the antiracism journeys of others, Join the Movement will be a hub of story-sharing that draws others to participate and opens hearts to new possibilities and practices of racial justice.
The Christian church began as a movement towards a just world through the teachings of Jesus. As followers of Jesus, we believe it is our mandate to work for and seek justice, love, and compassion, as we join with and become our own Spirit-led movements toward racial justice.
Christianity began as a movement of revolutionary love. We have a chance to continue in these humble paths of lovingkindness as we join the movement toward racial justice.
“Justice is what love looks like in public.” – Cornel West
We find ourselves living in a time where increasing numbers of individuals, organizations, and communities are actively building and amplifying our collective power to move toward racial justice. This movement is not new. We build on the revolutionary work of our freedom-making ancestors. BUT, this particular moment offers us unique opportunities to cultivate intersectional movements with healing and repair at the center, as we align with the movement of the Spirit toward justice.
By Joining the Movement, you will have access to stories, resources and reflections on current events in the movement toward racial justice. Our newsletter for subscribers will highlight movement-makers across the denomination and actions to participate in. You’ll also have access to workshops, retreats and movement-maker convergences as you become more involved.
Our staff members bring decades of experience with racial justice formation, movement building, and activism in diverse settings. In collaboration with UCC staff members and a network of volunteers, we seek to resource, inspire and learn from the racial justice practices, reparations initiatives, and transformational antiracism opportunities for healing and restoration occurring across our nation and throughout the world.
Rev. Dr. Velda Love
Rev. Dr. Velda Love serves as the Lead for the Join the Movement campaign. Her work centers on addressing historical and contemporary injustice resulting in systemic, structural, and individual racism.
Dr. Sharon R. Fennema
Dr. Sharon Fennema is the Join the Movement Curator and Storyteller. In this position, she helps lead the denomination’s antiracism initiative using stories as both inspiration and lessons for cultivating a life of practices that move us toward racial justice.
Rev. Amanda Hendler-Voss, Senior Minister, First Congregational UCC, Washington DC shares her insights about the role of storytelling in movement building and how the Join the Movement toward Racial Justice initiative connects us to each other and deepens our practices of antiracism.
“’Racist’ and ‘antiracist’ are like peelable name tags that are placed and replaced based on what someone is doing or not doing, supporting, or expressing in each moment. These are not permanent tattoos. No one becomes a racist or antiracist. We can only strive to be one or the other. We can unknowingly strive to be a racist. We can knowingly strive to be an antiracist… being an antiracist requires persistent self-awareness, constant self-criticism, and regular self-examination.”
– Ibram X. Kendi, How to Be An Antiracist
We know you are doing creative, innovative, and heartfelt antiracist work in your communities. And we want to hear about it! Share stories about your work for racial justice to inspire and equip others in their advocacy and activism. By contributing your voice and listening to others, you help build the movement toward racial justice, across cultural expressions and lived experiences. Submit your story today.
Submit Your StorySign up to receive alerts about new stories and resources. You’ll also enjoy our Join the Movement newsletter, featuring changemaker profiles, reflections on current events in the movement toward racial justice, and more. Get sneak previews and information about upcoming events, workshops and webinars.
