Acknowledging and Facing Racism with Faith

“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced,” wrote author James Baldwin. As people of faith, we continue to have an opportunity to change the tragedy of historical and systemic racism not only in our society, but in our faith communities as well. Join us for a special program to honor the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. During our time together, we will examine the historical connections between the church and racial injustice, better understand why being antiracist is vital for our individual and collective spiritual journeys, and discuss ways we can seek racial justice today.

Rev. Gary Smith is the director of the Center for Racial Justice and serves as the Racial Justice Consultant for the NY Conference of the United Church of Christ. He has served as a spiritual director at the Spiritual Renewal Center for the past 22 years. Rev. Dr. Marsha Williams is the Transitional Conference Minister for the NY Conference of the United Church of Christ. Prior to assuming this role in June 2022, she served as Associate Conference Minister for Authorized Ministry. She also served congregations in Indiana and the Pacific Northwest.