The Northern Province Provincial Racial Justice Team held a 2021 Lenten Series called “A New Way of Being: From Confession to Hope.” This series built on the Advent material offered the previous year. Each session included a reflection on the lectionary texts for the preceding Sunday, conversations among Moravians as they discussed their journey toward a growing awareness of racial justice and healing, and discussion by those in attendance on Zoom.
The series was offered on five Wednesday evenings in Lent, starting after Ash Wednesday and concluding before Holy Week. The series was open to all Moravians in the Northern and Southern Provinces.
- February 24 Mark Breland and Betsy Miller
- March 3 Bevon White and Frank Crouch
- March 10 Rhonda and Tracy Robinson
- March 17 Amy Gohdes-Luhman and Tim Berry
- March 24 Bruce Nelson and Riddick Weber
A Conversation between: The Rev. Bevon White and the Rev. Dr. Frank Crouch
Video Synopsis: As a historian, Frank shares some of the common narratives of Moravian and slavery – as well as some historical evidence that may surprise viewers. Bevon and Frank talk about the need to look honestly at the part the Moravian church played in enslavement and ways the church can be transformational in creating a narrative of the church encouraging racial justice and healing as we move forward.
Reflections and Conversation
- What narratives have you heard about Moravians and slavery in the past? How did those narratives make you feel?
- After watching the video, what didn’t align with the narratives you previously heard? How does that make you feel?
- Can you envision a narrative for the future?
- What opportunities does the Moravian church have to encourage racial justice and healing?
- How does the phrase “Moravian Activism” make you feel?
A Conversation between: The Rev. Dr. Amy Gohdes-Luhman and Dr. Tim Berry
Video Synopsis Amy and Tim compare different experiences about growing up and living in America. They share how they were moved to become involved with racial justice.
Reflections and Conversation
- What family conversations about race/racism can you recall?
- Describe the type of community in which you grew up.
- In what ways do you think these conversations and the type of community in which you lived impacted your thoughts and behavior as you grew older?
- As you compare Amy and Tim’s different experiences, were you surprised by any of the differences? Could you relate to either of their experiences?
- Can the impacts/trauma of racism of past generations be passed onto the generations that follow? How can we be healers?
A Conversation between: The Rev. Dr. Riddick Weber, Moravian Theological Seminary, and the Rev. Bruce Nelson, Western District
Video Synopsis Riddick and Bruce discuss how they assumed with the passing of the Civil Rights Bill and desegregation laws, racism was over. They didn’t see racism happening in their communities and everything seemed fine. They share their separate awakenings to the fact that racism is still woven into the American fabric.
Reflections and Conversation
- Compare your experience growing up with those of Riddick and Bruce. Were you are aware of racism or did you also think racism was no longer an issue?
- What sources have helped you be more aware of the inequality that has persisted despite the Civil Rights Bill and desegregation laws?
- Riddick said “Riots are the language of the unheard.” What do you think of that statement? Have we been deaf or blind to the cries of injustice/inequality?
- Do you feel that there is resistance to acknowledging that systemic racism exists? What are some examples where the deck is stacked against some groups and in favor for others?
- What are some steps we can take – both individually and as a church – to move us toward a more equitable and justice society?
A Conversation between: The Rev. Mark Breland, Lititz Moravian Church, and the Rev. Dr. Betsy Miller, president, PEC, Moravian Church Northern Province
Video Synopsis: Betsy shares a new sense of “otherness” when she attended a weekend conference in an all black gathering (except for two) where racism was being discussed. This experience led her to reach out to her colleague Mark, and his wife, to open an honest conversation about racism and to learn of their experiences as a Black Americans. The video recounts how this conversation led to on-going dialog and movement in the Northern Province PEC towards creating a racial justice team.
Reflections and Conversation
- Share an experience when you’ve had feelings “otherness.” What were the circumstances that created that feeling? How long did those feelings last and/or what led to a continuation of those feelings?
- What impact do you think a daily sense of otherness would have on you?
- Have you ever had an honest conversation about racism with someone of a different race than you? If so, how did it start and how did it go? If not, why do you think you haven’t and what would it take to have such a conversation?
- What did you think of Betsy’s statement about who had the responsibility to do the work to eliminate racism?
A Conversation between: The Revs. Tracy and Rhonda Robinson from Esperanza for Bethlehem (Pennsylvania)
Video Synopsis Rhonda and Tracy share their first hand experiences as migrants from Nicaragua immigrating to the USA and their life experiences since coming to the USA over 40 years ago.
Reflections and Conversation
- What first hand immigration stories have you heard? Why did they come, what/who did they leave behind, would they have rather stayed in their homeland if the circumstances were different, etc?
- What were their experiences when they arrived? Were they welcomed with open arms? Did they experience discrimination/racism? Was it fairly easy to assimilate? What/who helped them or got in the way?
- What were their hopes/dreams for their future?
- If you don’t heard any first hand immigration stories, why do you think you haven’t? Do you know anyone who has immigrated to the USA?
- What circumstances would it take for you to leave your current life in the USA and move to a foreign country?
- What can the Moravian church (and you as an individual) do to help immigrants?
