Updated May 5, 2021 12:54 p.m. ET
All resources are from PC(USA) agencies unless otherwise noted.
Black Lives Matter — Get Involved
Join the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) August 24–30 for a Week of Action to provide a public witness acknowledging that God loves all Black lives.
Bearing Witness is an ongoing collaborative effort of the PC(USA) to dismantle structural racism.
Download yard signs: “Presbyterians affirm Black Lives Matter”
“Trouble the Water: Conversations to Disrupt Racism and Dominance” is a documentary series resource produced by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) for communities and congregations to facilitate conversation and engagement around the issues of race and racism. As we struggle as a nation with these deep systemic and structural issues on a daily basis, we hope this series can be a resource to listen to one another, have difficult but honest conversations and collectively work together to disrupt systemic racism.
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, Two Spirits — Resources
National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center and Tool Kit
Urban Indian Health Institute Report and Tool Kit
Department of Interior — MMIW Crisis Report
Videos & Stories
- Running for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women | Rosalie Fish | TEDxYouth@Seattle
- The Search: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women | Fault Lines
- Why Are Missing And Murdered Indigenous Women Cases Being Ignored? | Between The Lines
Statements from the PC(USA)
224th General Assembly (2020): Responding to the Sin of Racism and a Call to Action – June 26, 2020
Stated Clerk remembers recent victims of racial violence (8 min. video) – May 29, 2020
Stated Clerk: ‘No longer can we hide behind not being controversial’ – June 3, 2020
PMA President/Executive Director Diane Moffett statement on recent protests and shootings – June 3, 2020
Presbyterian Foundation President Tom Taylor statement – June 2, 2020
Board of Pensions President Frank C. Spencer statement – June 2, 2020
Board of Pensions statement on racial justice – June 18, 2020
Mid council leaders speak out: A collection of PC(USA) expressions of grief, lament, outrage, challenge, conviction, repentance and commitment — along with resources for learning and action.
“We Stand.” Mid council and other church leaders share their hearts and prayers as the nation struggles (2 min. video)
Statement and Resources from the Presbyterian Historical Society – June 11, 2020
A Statement from the Special Committee on Racism Truth and Reconciliation – June 25, 2020
MRTI endorses statement of solidarity against systemic racism – June 27, 2020
“Say Their Names: Reaffirming Presbyterian Women’s Stance Against Racism” – June 5, 2020
Worship Resources
Statement About Racism from the Hispanic/Latinx National Presbyterian Caucus (5 min. video) – June 17, 2020
Pastoring During Protest: A panel discussion with Presbyterian pastors (1 hour video) | News story – June 17, 2020
Service of Lament (45 min. video), Vital Congregations, Rev. Denise Anderson preaching – June 10, 2020
A Prayer in a Time of Anger, Unrest and Injustice (includes original hymn) – June 1, 2020
Proclaiming Unity, Reconciliation and Justice (2 min. video from Mid-Kentucky Presbytery) – June 4, 2020
Peacemaking Virtual Choir Project, “This Is My Song” (3 min. video)
“We Stand Arm in Arm,” video prayer from the Synod of the Northeast (4 min.) – May 31, 2020
Matthew 25: Dismantling Structural Racism — Definition, Theology, Scripture
Theology, worship, and music resources on structural racism (from the Book of Confessions, Directory for Worship, Book of Common Worship and Glory to God hymnal)
Sermon: the biblical foundation for our antiracism work by the Rev. Samuel Son
Just Worship: The Documentary (33 min. film)
Kneeling in Repentance Litany
Policy Statements
“Facing Racism: A Vision of the Intercultural Community” — PC(USA) churchwide antiracism policy, approved by the 222nd General Assembly (2016). | Companion study guide.
The Belhar Confession – added to the Book of Confessions by the 222nd General Assembly (2016). | Study guide.
Recommended Books
“Good White Racist? Confronting Your Role in Racial Injustice” by Kerry Connelly (March 2020)
“For Beautiful Black Boys Who Believe in a Better World” by Michael W. Waters (coming September 2020) - Preorder. | Free discussion and activity guide.
“Ten Essential Strategies for Becoming a Multiracial Congregation” by Jacqueline J. Lewis and John Janka (March 2018)
“Brian the Brave” by Paul Stewart and Jane Porter (August 2019) – children’s book
“No Innocent Bystanders: Becoming an Ally in the Struggle for Justice” by Shannon Craigo-Snell and Christopher Doucot (October 2017)
“Preaching About Racism: A Guide for Faith Leaders” by Carolyn B. Helsel (December 2018)
“Anxious to Talk About It: Helping White Christians Talk Faithfully about Racism” by Carolyn B. Helsel (February 2018)
“Race in a Post-Obama America: The Church Responds” by David Maxwell and Otis Moss III (May 2016)
“Waking Up White, and Finding Myself in the Story of Race” by Debby Irving (January 2014)
“Me and White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World, and Become a Good Ancestor” by Layla F. Saad (January 2020)
Study, Training and Discussion Materials
Matthew 25: Dismantling structural racism. | Selected resources.
PC(USA)’s Facing Racism website and resources
Racial Equity & Women’s Intercultural Ministries webpage
Racial Equity and Cultural Humility resources from Presbyterian Women, Inc.
“White Privilege”: One-session adult study, part of the Racism Study Pack from The Thoughtful Christian. | Participant’s handout. | Leader’s guide. | Purchase “Racism Study Pack.”
“Responding to Racism”: One-session youth study from The Thoughtful Christian. | Participant’s handout. | Leader’s guide.
Talking About Race, National Museum of African American History & Culture of the Smithsonian Institution
Antiracism resources especially for white people
Another resource list for white people in the journey of antiracism
COVID at the Margins: Discussion series focusing on communities of color. | Facebook Live page.
Advocacy and Social Justice resources
The Bail Project – resources relating to ending the cash bail system (bailproject.org).
Documentaries from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance for screening and discussion, including “Flint: The Poisoning of an American City,” “To Breathe Free,” “Locked in a Box” and “Trigger.”
What White Churches Can Do About Racism, 1-hour webinar from Union Presbyterian Seminary – June 10, 2020
Racial Equity Tools: Strategies — Caucus and Affinity Groups (racialequitytools.org)
Race and Culture Mental Health Resources – July 20, 2020
Anti-Racism Digital Library. A clearinghouse for information and resources about people, groups and projects that are building inclusive and caring communities (Louisville Seminary) – August 5, 2020
Growing a Personal Anti-Racist Voice and Identity. A self-guided study developed by Louisville Seminary which helps participants find ways to restore oppressed people and bring racial healing, equity and justice to the community – August 5, 2020
Resources for Self-Study on Racism from the Presbyterian Historical Society – September 22, 2020
A Call to Action for All Mid Councils and Congregations from the Native American Coordinating Council – September 24, 2020
The White Manifesto, Plea and Petition by James A. Forbes Jr. – September 24, 2020
Articles
Current news stories — PC(USA)
More news stories — Presbyterian Mission Agency
“Presbyterian Mission Agency announces launch of #Give828 fundraising campaign” — August 11, 2020
“Dismantling structural racism ‘is in all our best interest’ ” — August 11, 2020
“Addressing race and reparations” — August 10, 2020
“Bearing witness: Presbyterians to host Week of Action” — August 4, 2020
“MRTI endorses statement of solidarity against systemic racism” – June 27, 2020
“Racial injustice, COVID-19 and support for Native American churches take up bulk of third plenary at the 224th General Assembly” – June 27, 2020
“Faith leaders demand justice for Breonna Taylor” – June 24, 2020
“Juneteenth in the age of Black Lives Matter” – June 18, 2020
“Juneteenth celebrations grow” – Presbyterians Today, May 20, 2020
“5 Reasons for Racial Affinity Groups in Anti-Racism Work,” Unbound – June 11, 2020
“What white churches can do about racism” – June 10, 2020
“Two advocacy committees call on PC(USA) to recommit to struggle for racial justice” (Racial Equity Advocacy Cmte and Advocacy Cmte for Women’s Concerns) – May 28, 2020
“6 Ways White People Can Dismantle White Supremacy,” Unbound – May 26, 2020
“We unreservedly condemn the killings of African Americans,” news story and video from the PC(USA)’s African Presbyterian Leaders Alliance – June 9, 2020
“Beyond protest, how can you and your church bring change,” by Jimmie Hawkins, director of PC(USA) Office of Public Witness – June 8, 2020 | Video: Why is protest important? (19 min.)
“How should we protest, and why?” – June 3, 2020
“We fall to our knees with you: A statement from the National Middle Eastern Presbyterian Caucus” – June 2, 2020