United Church Anti-Racism Resources
The United Church is committed to becoming an anti-racist church through a continuous struggle against racism. Find out more about this commitment, including how your community of faith can get involved in worship, study, and reflection.
Update from Adele Halliday (Anti-Racism and Equity Lead, UCC)
May 17, 2021
Dear friends,
Here is the latest update about the United Church’s ongoing anti-racism work.
Asian Heritage Month
May is Asian Heritage Month! The month provides another opportunity to focus on challenging anti-Asian racism and dismantling racial injustice in church and society.
Several resources are available:
- New blog posts will be posted during this month
- A webinar on May 18 will focus on Lifting Up Asian Voices. In this webinar, we will hear five Asian-Canadian church leaders talk frankly about their personal experiences of racism, both within their churches and in society in general. 7:00 p.m. EDT / 4:00 p.m. PDT.
- There will also be a special Asian Heritage Pentecost online worship service for Pentecost Sunday, May 23. This 50-minute, service will be available on May 23 on the Worship page of the AUC website. This worship service will be shared using six languages in hopes of embodying the spirit of the Pentecost experience.
New Anti-Racism Video
A preview of a new United Church anti-racism video is now available! (on this page) The video, which includes sub-titles in English and French, offers an overview of the United Church’s commitment to becoming an anti-racist denomination.
40 Days of Engagement on Anti-Racism
This exciting new program will launch in the 2021 fall season, and is designed for a wide range of people across the United Church. The 40 Days of Engagement on Anti-Racism will offer opportunities for daily engagement on anti-racism with activities that can be done individually or with groups. People across the church will have an opportunity to explore regular readings, reflections, education, arts engagement, and action and advocacy on anti-racism.
The 40 Days of Engagement on Anti-Racism program will be ready after Thanksgiving in mid-October, 2021.
Support Circles for People of Colour
Join with people of colour in The United Church of Canada for a time of sharing and support around experiences of racism in the Church. This is a confidential, non-judgmental space for people who identify as Indigenous, Black, East/Southeast/South Asian, Latino/a/x, mixed-race, racialized, and all people of colour to build supportive community in light of church-related racial trauma and grief.
There are two options for gathering times: Wednesday, May 19 at 4:00 p.m. EDT / 1:00 p.m. PDT; or Thursday, May 20 at 8:00 p.m. EDT / 5:00 p.m. PDT. Please choose a date when registering and note your time zone. Register here. If you have any questions or would like more information, contact General Council staff Network Coordinator Ren Ito.
Equity Support Team Description
Equity Monitors have played a role in many United Church meetings and gatherings. After a review of the role and responsibilities, we are proposing to change the name to Equity Support Team members, and have an updated position description (available as a download at the end of that web page).
While working towards equity is a collective responsibility of everyone, the members of the Equity Support Team have a particular role in helping name equity issues at gatherings. The Equity Support Team members have responsibilities before, during, and after an event. The members of the Equity Support Team are part of the leadership of a meeting or an event.
In addition to the position description linked above, there were suggestions to offer national training for anyone who wants to be part of an Equity Support Team, and to offer some best practices and guidelines for meetings, on equity. These will be posted as soon as they are available.
Name Change
Over the past several months, there were been a number of concerns raised about the use of “officer” in the title of the previously named “Anti-Racism and Equity Officer” position. Many were worried that the title had connotations related to enforcement and policing, and suggested that another name for the title might be more helpful. The staff title has now been changed to “Anti-Racism and Equity Lead.”
With thanks,
Adele Halliday
Anti-Racism and Equity Lead
The United Church of Canada
anti-racism@united-church.ca
Black Lives Matter in the United Church
The General Council Executive issued a statement on June 18, 2020, confirming unequivocally that Black Lives Matter to The United Church of Canada.