Pastor's Page

June was an uncomfortable month. Accounts of black men and women being killed were all over the news, and protests soon became headlines. In the midst of sheltering-in-place and beginning to be able to eat outdoors at restaurants and gather in small groups, large groups were gathering to protest, and riots and looting sometimes accompanied these protests. People seem against all police, and the argument soon turned into blue lives versus black lives as “defund the police” became a cry that might have been hard to hear. It was hard to figure out what we should think and do in response.

Racism is real, but it’s a hard reality to own up to. We know that racism is bad, and so we naturally reason that if someone is racist then they are a bad person. We liken racists to Death Eaters in Harry Potter. We consider the real racists as those who threaten someone because they look different; or those who disagree with interracial marriages because of white supremacy.  But racial prejudice and discrimination is ingrained within our American systems. In their ad in the Pantagraph in early June, the McLean County Interfaith Association stated: “Institutionalized racism reveals itself when well-meaning and well-intentioned individuals inadvertently support, ignore, contribute to, help to sustain or carry-out actions that represent patterns of racial discrimination or discriminatory behavior that has simply become a part of ‘normal’ behavior.”

I can easily be one of those well-meaning and well-intentioned individuals. And I don’t want to inadvertently support patterns of discriminatory behavior. So I know that I have work to do, and I’d love to have others join me in that work. Let’s discuss some of the hard things and become more aware together. I’d like to dig into racism by studying “Facing   Racism: A Vision of the Intercultural Community Antiracism Study Guides” which was put together by the PCUSA in 2016. This 6 week study looks at:

•  Biblical Imperative to Antiracism
•  Envisioning a New Way of Life Together
•  PC(USA) and Racial Reconciliation
•  Racism 101
•  Enduring Legacy of Racism in the US
•  Responding as a Community of Faith

The study starts with a strong biblical basis, and each week includes multiple questions for conversation. I think this is a way that we could sincerely discuss scripture, our community, and racism. For those interested, the study guide can be found here: https://facing-racism.pcusa.org/ site_media/media/uploads/facing_racism/facing-racism-study-guide.pdf. Or you can call the office and we can mail you the first section. Please read Week One, “Biblical Imperative to Antiracism” in preparation, and the other sections will be available at our first session.

Please join me after worship (so at 10am) on the church lawn starting  July 5th to discuss the Biblical Imperative to Antiracism, that we might learn and grow together as we strive to be the body of Christ.

Blessings and Peace, 

~Pastor Annie



Pastor Annie McMillan