Hello everyone. Im from Immanuel/Milwaukee.

Beautiful music - is this being played live?

Thank you. No, I recorded it a few days ago. Much more reliable!

Hello saints!

Hello Everyone! I am the lone Presbyterian on the Virginia Council of Churches Anti-Racism, Pro-Conciliation Task Force. I'm so looking forward to this!!

Hello from Lori Yamauchi at Old First in San Francisco, CA

Cathy Rotch from Walhalla, SC.

Glad to have you with us, Susanne! And all of you! Thank you for being here.

Hi, All

Hola Everyone. I am the Director at Puentes de Cristo a border ministry in Hidalgo - Texas and member of Presbyterian Border Region Outreach Network.

Hi All - Looking forward to learning together!

saludos, tengo problemas de coneccion de Internet. Estoy en Puerto Rico y estamos bajo los efectos de una tormenta. muchos no tenemos luz. tal vez no pueda mantenerme por mucho tiempo aquí y lo lamento mucho. oren por mi islita. bendiciones.

Hola Caly and Iris Dalila… espero que las cosas en PR se mantengan tranquilas. Orando por ustedes.

Thank you for being here everyone.

I’m Marissa Galván Valle… pastor at Beechmont Presbyterian Church… a Matthew 25 church and Spanish language editor for PPC.

Excited to be here from Haddonfield NJ!

Hello from Burlington, NC!

Jeff Tindall from Pittsburgh saying hello!

Thanks for that amazing music!

Defiance Ohio

Hello from Portland Oregon

Greetings from Normal, IL!

Hello from Anchorage, AK

Hello from Heartland Presbytery in KC, MO

hello from Pebble Hill in Syracuse

Hello from Mary Westfall, Sacramento Presbytery

Hello from Syracuse, NY

Hello from Syracuse, NY

Jeanine from Newburyport MA

Hello from Raleigh, NC

Hi from Delaware and Eastern Shore Maryland!

hello from Owatonna, MN

Paul Uzel, he/him/his Dubuque IA from the land of the Mesquahie, Sac and Fox.

Hello from Bowling Green, KY

Hello from Lower New Yok

Hello from Pittsburgh

Greetings from San Diego.

Hello from KC, MO/KS Heartland Presbytery

from Patricia Geadelmann Hello from Cedar Falls, IA

Hello All I am from Durham NC......Cotton Memorial Church Henderson, NC

Hi friends from San Antonio and Mission Presbytery!

Hi folks - glad to be here in NW Georgia and with you.

I can't hear you

Lehigh Presbytery is here!

Hello from the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia

Greetings from Westminster College in New Wilmington, PA

Hello from Geneva, NY!

Trinity Presbytery is here

Hello from Hays KS

Denver Presbytery

Hello everyone from Charlotte Presbytery.

San francisco Presbytery

Hi friends! Good to see some familiar names on here! Greetings from Greensboro, NC!

Presbytery of Cincinnati sends blessings!

Hello from Geneva NY!

Good afternoon! From Charlotte Presbytery

Greetings from the Presbytery of Denver.

Greetings from the Bronx and the Presbytery of New York City

Grace and Peace from Shawnee Land / Franklin, KY - Western Kentucky Presbytery!

Greetings from First Presbyterian Church, Haddonfield, NJ!

Greetings from the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley in the heart of Alabama

Hello from the Elizabeth Presbytery!

New York City (Queens)

pat Metcalf San Antonio, Tx

Welcome from Plainfield, IL

From Detroit, MI

Lila from Church from Pittsburgh

Detroit (MI) Presbytery

liberty, mo

New York City (Bronx)

Western North Carolina Presbytery, First Presbyterian Church, Franklin, North Carolina

Good Morning from Portland Oregon

Hello from the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy centered in St. Louis MO Junie Ewing

Peace, on behalf of my congregation in Indianapolis, coming to you form Rocky Mountain National Park.

Wanda B. Olive from FPC Georgetown, KY

Greetings from Franklin, Kentucky

First Presbyterian Church Santa Fe—Hello!

Hello from Arlington, VA

Hello from Plano, TX, Grace Presbytery

Greetings from Stony Point Center - Ramapough Lenape lands

Greetings from First Presbyterian Church, Gallatin, TN

Greetings from the Presbytery of Cayuga-Syracuse!

From Greetings from Riverdale Presbyterian Church in NYC

Hello from Mt. Tabor Presbyterian Church in Portland, Oregon

Peace to all from Jacksonville Beach FL and Palms Presbyterian

Greetings from Westlake Village in the San Fernando Presbytery!

Greetings from Celtic Cross, Warren Mi, Presbytery of Detroit

Hello from the Presbytery of Arkansas

Hello from the Presbytery of the Western Reserve, in Cleveland, OH

FrankDew Salem Presbytery Greensboro North Carolina

First Presbyterian Church of Tecumseh - Maumee Valley Presbytery

Greetings from Tucson, Arizona —Tohono O’odham and Yavapai lands

greetings and blessings from New Covenant Presbytery

Greeting friends from Davidson College Presbyterian Church of the Charlotte Presbytery.

Hello from First Pres, Newhall, California

Hello from First Presbyterian Church in Elizabethtown KY

Greetings from John Calvin Presbyterian Metairie, LA

Good afternoon from Tecumseh Presbyterian Church, Maumee Valley

Greetings from Cinda Gorman H.R. in the Presbytery of the Western Reserve.

Greetings from First Presbyterian Church of Concord NC.

greetings from Puerto Rico, we are under the effects of a storm without electricity, I have problems with the Internet. may I miss this conference. please pray for my Island.

Hello from Fairlington Presbyterian Church in Alexandria, VA.

greeting

greetings from FPC Cookeville, TN

Lise Triggs

Hello from Central Presbyterian Church Lafayette Indiana

Iris, we will absolutely be praying!

Thank you for that wonderful Land Acknowledgment opening with indigenous people of the North, South, East and West. So great to have our Native brothers and sisters with us today.

Welcome from Franklin, TN

Greetings from the Presbytery of Middle Tennessee.

Welcome from the Synod of Lakes and Prairies and our 16 presbyteries

Prayers lifted for Puerto Rico and other areas in the path of tropical storms.

Presbytery of Blackhawk

Greetings from Jackie Carter Gerard, First Presbyterian Church,Elizabethtown, Ky.

Ron register from Presbytery of the Western Reserve.

Hello everyone from Leland, MS and Presbytery of St Andrew.

Greetings from the Presbytery of the Western Reserve which voted on Monday to become a Matthew 25 Presbytery

Very exciting, Sharon!

Hello to everyone from First Pres in Pulaski, TN

GO, PWR!

Praying for you, Iris, and all of our precious siblings in Puerto Rico.

Hello from Whittier Presbyterian (and Salem Lutheran) in Whittier, CA, Los Ranchos Presbytery.

FPC Bowling Green, Oh in Maumee Valley Presbytery

Greeting from the Presbytery of Detroit! Member of Calvary Presbyterian Church Detroit.

Hello from Euclid Ohio, Presbytery of the Western Reserve, and the National Black Presbyterian Caucus

Middle Tenn Presbytery, Historic Franklin Presbyterian Church, Franklin, TN

Hello from Evergreen in Memphis!

Greetings from Escanaba, MI, Mackinac Presbytery

Greetings from Historic Franklin Presbyterian Church Franklin TN

Eastminster Presbyterian, Stone Mountain, GA

Grace and peace from First Presbyterian Church Valparaiso, IN!

Blessings from the Delmarva peninsula!

Hello from Setauket Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of Long Island, NY

Greetings all and special shout out to all from the Synod of Lincoln Trails!

Greetings from Parkway Gardens United

hello from five from Westminster pc pittsburgh

Greetings from Westminster PC in Dubuque, IA in John Knox Presbytery. Blessings!

As a pastor doing transition ministry, I would love to have the ability to make the official commitment to being a Matthew 25 pastor regardless of whether the congregation I currently serve is ready and able to make the commitment

Greetings from Jeri Parris Perkins FPC, Clinton SC

Greetings from Presbytery of Mid-South

Thank you for such a powerful prayer!!!!!!

Greetings, Jean Davidson, Eusebia Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of East Tennessee!

Will this be recorded, the chat as well?

Amen

Grace and Peace from First Presbyterian Church in Schaller, Iowa.

Greetings from Community Presbyterian Church of West Fargo, ND.

The chat will also be preserved, yes.

Hello from New Brunswick Presbytery.

Greetings from New Jersey, First Presbyterian Church of Caldwell

Ruthanne, wonderful idea about making the commitment to be a Matthew 25 pastor, regardless of where you are serving.

Hello from Westminster P.C., Westlake Village, CA

Close the camps!

Greetings from Sojourner Truth Presbyterian Church in the Presbytery of San Francisco

I am on the Presbytery Council of the John Knox Presbytery, SW & Central WI, far SE corner of MN and NE IA. JKP is considering becoming a Matt 25 Presbytery, as is the church I attend, Westminster, DBQ.

can we get closed captioning?

Hello from First Presbyterian Church Omaha

pcusa.org/troublethewater

grace and peace from Jefferson Avenue Presbyterian Church in.

Detroit Michigan

Greetings from Newton Presbytery, NJ

Greetings from the Presbytery of the Palisades - Latino Ministries

Greetings and Peace from the Presbytery of the Miami Valley, Ohio

Greetings from Jeff and Christi Boyd in Kinshasa!

Greetings from Al Polito. Bethany Pres. church Grundy Center, IA

To me the important question is how do you change the mind of those in leadership in churches to practice Matthew 25? These individuals have blinders on and they quote typical phrases that promote privilege and status quo.

Apologies, but it does not seem like we are equipped with closed captioning for this meeting. That is absolutely something we need to keep in mind for future meetings.

Part of the challenge is how we move people from simply responding to the needs that have resulted from poverty, racism (like providing meals) to addressing the systemic roots. Especially for an older congregation.

Greetings to everyone from Yaphank Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of Long Island.

Michelle - that is indeed the large issue. I wonder how we train people to begin to ask the WHY questions for each act of compassion we do - school supplies for children, healthy snacks for school children, water for the homeless center, etc

Having read Ibram Kendi's "How to be an Anti-racist," I firmly believe that voting rights -- which are being infringed upon in many states -- are a first step towards changes in national policy..

We as majority folks need to be some of the loudest supporters of this, acknowledging that some of our fellow leaders will listen to us in a different way than our siblings of color.

The Spirit is moving non-White youth, and we should follow them!

I am currently working with a congregation with an older congregation which isn't growing; but they would rather stay white, old, with no pastor than reach out to the changing community around them. They think they are doing fine and wuld rarher stay this way until they can no longer sustain and sell the church.

Amen. #followthemoney

This is a re-curring theme in many presbyteries.

Adebisi, there are so many churches like yours.

supporting a REAL Living Wage

getting people to the polls

and paying the increased costs that go along with the Living Wage (or reining in the excessive profit)

universal broadband nation wide

local churches with WiFi open to the public (with appropriate safeguards, of course)

It's not just computer connectivity on the reservations. Let's work to get electricity and running water to every household on every reservation and pueblo in this country.

funding schools and libraries

Access to internet is a social justice issue that should be free for all people as disparity in personal internet exasperates social disparity already present

Greetings from the First Presbyterian Church of Santa Fe

Medicaid expansion in Missouri!!

Some of those public agencies like the library aren't open yet.

Basic Human Rights: water, food, electricity, sewer, connectivity, education, health care...

My wife works at a public library and can attest to the need for public internet access.

Yes, yes! Preach

Covid has made it even more difficult, as libraries and public internet spaces are still closed here.

Let's Pray with our feet!

Our churches can help people in need with electrical and water bills as well as internet access.

Thank you, Karen Brown!! We need to keep hearing your voice!

Consider starting with what is strong vs wrong

Adebisi I too am in such a church. Like Rev. Ruthanne I am taking the challenge regardless of which "congregation" I may be in. Time to show others that the Church is NOT a building!

Thank you Elona and Karen for your message!

That is very helpful

Book study needs to be a start….

On my agenda for reading is White Fragility, to open myself to what keeps our whiteness white.

For BIPOC these are things that are urgent… and usually are matters of life and death… spiritually, emotionally and physically.

This ^^^

SF Presbytery had a 21-day challenge with follow up as to what white people can do.

Ryan is a member of the Special Committee on Racism, Truth, and Reconciliation, which I proudly staff with Elder valeri izumi in the Office of the General Assembly. These are faithful folks whose work will hopefully change the world for the better.

Share his blog post!

What is sun downing

Paul, might I humbly suggest another anti-racism book authored by a Black person instead? Like "How to be an Anti-Racist" by Ibram X. Kendi or "Me and White Supremacy" by Layla Saad?

Carol Day, sundown towns were/are towns in which people of color -- Black folks, specifically_ were not welcome after sundown.

Thanks you to Denise and others for that work you are doing!

Yes, on my list as well!

Sundown towns were towns that said no Black folks or Jewish folks in town after sundown

Stamped From the Beginning is excellent also (Ibram Kendi)

Sundown towns were all over the country

My wife is a diversity consultant- white, Christian, veteran, and queer. She specializes in teaching diversity and equity to white people. If anyone wants to speak to her, she does talks and trainings, including online. She's worked for churches, school systems, universities, corporations, and organizations, and I know her interest is creating an anti-racist Presbyterian system. taranapoleone@gmail.com

Sundowning laws existed to keep Black people out of small towns after 5:00 p.m. This occurred all over Missouri and thousands of other towns in USA.

Excellent book for any church to begin is United Against Racism from the National Council of Churches.

Slavery by Another Name by Douglas Blackmon; The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson; Just Mercy, the book, by Bryan Stevenson; Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell (white author)

YES, let BLM Chapters meet in Predominately White Churches. Good idea!

BLM leaders don't necessarily trust churches.

Even when we don't realize it...

a kind of asymptomatic COVID, but only because we DON'T see the effect of our innate racism

Amen, Paul.

One feature of the current pandemic is that it has cast light on the degree to which our middle-class white culture depends on the essential workers of color. We now KNOW what we do in terms of literally killing our meat processors, our health care workers, our clerks, our sanitation workers. So we MUST vote for politicians who will vote for social supports for the workers in our society.

Where is the faith in action?

http://intercultural-matters.com/intercultural-matters/mutual-invitation-eric-law/

The Faith in Action in this movement IS the Matt 25: seeing Jesus in ALL people, regardless of race, even creed, as well as all the other separations.

It's also the current reality for any mother or father of a brown skinned child/adult who wants to go out after dark just to fellowship with their friend who may not come home. We now know this is not limited to the evening but these modern day lynching's can happen early in the morning with live videos for the entire world to see. We shall overcome.

Can you say more about the equity model of giving/funding?

Amen, Karen

Yes, Denise and I are so fortunate to have the honor of co-staffing the Special Committee on Racism Truth and Reconciliation. Keep up with their work on Facebook @PCUSASpecialCommitteeracetruthreconciliation

I am certainly aware of BLM members/leaders who don’t want anything to do with a white church. Mind you, some of that may have to do with contributing to our funding when we have participated in their oppression. So use of the building at no charge may be a better plan.

“An Apology for the Sin of Racism to our African American Sisters and Brothers” developed by a bi-racial group of elders and pastors was adopted by the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy in Feb - beginning to be used to create dialogue around white privilege and the legacy of racism at session level as well soon to be part of pastors’ anti-racism training - See: glpby.org/ “Social Action” to click on “The Apology” to see if it might be usable in your context or spark your own ideas. Rev. Junie Ewing Bridge Associate Presbytery Leader.

I love these models and examples you are offering Rev. Shoop! So tangible and substantive

Matthew 25 mission is INSIDE-OUT (church as base, not destination); UPSIDE-DOWN (grassroots/empowering and directed to the poor, the marginalized and others at/near the bottom of social hierarchy); and STICKY (focused on building relationships; focusing on making mission partners, not mission recipients)

Rethink how building keeps abuse of power: stained glass windows showing all white saints and Jesus.

Nicely said, Daniel

Rev. Shoop, is your congregation integrated?

Isabel Wilkerson has a new book coming out next month - Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents.

Just a comment about lending spaces… session and people have to be prepared to do so… if not relationships with groups can turn into leasing agreements that do not lead to partnerships. Neighborhood church is a good book to read to think about true partnerships with outside organizations.

There is a 'dying to self' that white folk need to consider... esp. those of us older, white and, in my case, male

Amen Paul. It is scary for many

It was for Jesus, too...

Amen Amen and ever Amen

Revolution without self revelation… it is a scary thing.

John 16: 33 Jesus said, "But take courage! I have conquered the world.

Has anyone led an historical audit of their property and congregation?

How to do this work in light of pandemic restrictions?

"historical audit?"

Who we were… and who we are.

Amen,Denise!

Who are we? Who have we been?

Pastors who do not speak English…

Understanding the bigger historical picture where are churches are and how we participated in that history or did not participate.

recently read this: in being allies, we need to watch the line between amplifying the voice(s) and becoming the voice(s), between being supportive and being the white savior.

Thank you Denise!

White rescuers!

Amen Sylvia

I so agree that those who are white, without deep self examination, can't even recognize white superiority. And we often learn to do the right thing and obey the law. But we aren't regularly taught about taking action when the laws are not just!

Our “Apology” is looking at how white folks need to repent and do the work on themselves as the place to begin. Rev. Junie Ewing GLPBY

thank you Shanea!

Yes!

Question: With the Center and a Seminary in town, how is the blm and protest in downtown Lou being resourced/embodied?

I need to hope off for another meeting. Thank you all—terrific resources here.

So true Bryce.

Walter Wink's series on the Powers echoes your analysis, Bryce.

Thank you for this--it has been very helpful.

The VCC is studying "The Color of Compromise: The Truth About the American Church's Complicity in Racism" by Jemar Tisby. VERY enlightening!

Judith - There is a strong presence in the Louisville protests from LPTS students and alums in the area, including the current student body president Adrian Baker. (I cannot speak to the Center involvement.)

The one thing we all have in common is the love and grace of our Lord Jesus. If the Lord is with us who can be against us?

We have to understand racism in the context of money.

POC's compete with each other and what we can gain from the dominate culture

Two key questions: 1. How does this advantage those who are white/rich, etc? 2. How does this disadvantage those of color?

so maybe "being of value" needs to be something other than white, old, and male

thank you so much !

and cis

Amen, Adebisi

Thank you! Great conversation!

Don't we need to be aware and understand our history as a nation to begin to understand the system of privilege and white supremacy that pervades everything. Good Reading is "An indigenous People's History of the Untied States" by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz.

Thank you!

There is also the issue with language that comes from right-wing media...I have personally fallen into the trap of talking about white privilege and implicit bias, etc., not knowing how right-wing media was defining these terms. I found that I was speaking about one thing, and my congregation who listened to right-wing media were hearing something other than my message. How do we learn their definitions without having to immerse ourselves in the vitriol to understand what are congregations are hearing?

thank you - great conversation and so much to take away

Yes, we Blacks cannibalize each other in a race to the white bottom

Thank you all for this!

Thanks to you all

thank you.

Love the conversations.

Thank you so much! First Pres, Puyallup

Excellent panel discussion Denise, Shanea and Bryce! This has been powerful.

Thank you all!!

Thank you so much for all this!

When is the next Matthew 25 training?

Thank you!

feedback in the moment - 1 hour is too short for the weightiness of this discussion.

Thank you.

Thank you. This was great!

Resources from the chat as well?

Thank you all for the help and encouragement to dig deeper into anti-racism work.

Thank you. Excellent - much to reflect and act upon.

and how about those NOT ALREADY Matt 25 and/or presbyteries

Thank you colleagues, including presenters and behind-the-scenes folks

Thank you for the great conversations, ideas. Blessings from Puerto Rico!

August 24-30

Westminster Presbyterian Church Trenton NJ is my church in New Brunswick Presbytery

Is anyone else here from Webster Groves PC?

Presbyterian Week of Action is August 24-30

Thank you to all presenters!

Thank you

"On-ramps and Lanes on the Racial Justice Freeway" by Shelly Tochluk: https://medium.com/@shellytochluk/on-ramps-and-lanes-on-the-racial-justice-freeway-9ff2ee051042

You can learn more and register here: https://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/matthew-25/curriculum/

Prayers to you and all on Puerto Rico Ruben as the storm approaches!

Hopefully this will be offered another time?

I have a book study starting that same night, so hope there will be a future opportunity.

I wonder that, too. They conflict with my VCC Team meetings!

Thank you

Mark your calendars for September 16 for our next gathering, addressing systemic poverty. More info to come soon!

Thank You for all the information and insights!

Is the last of the curriculm on Labor Day?

Can you post the facebook link again?

Start each day with this thought, “What would Jesus do now?”

Let us be guided and enfolded in the Holy Spirit!!

No, Aug 31

no, sorry, … thanks, Ann!

SF Presbytery would love a video to share at our 8-25 virtual meeting

https://www.facebook.com/PCUSASpecialCommitteeRaceTruthReconciliation/

The course finishes on Monday the 31st of August - a week before labor day

We are proTECTORS, who act as PROTESTants.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/matthew25pcusa

Rochelle, www.pcusa.org/troublethewater has promos there.

thanks to all the speakers! from FPC Lawrence, Kansas

What was the registration info for the class offered by Rick Ufford Chase?

Amen Amen Diane Moffett!!!

Thank you!

Thank you! Blessings in abundance.

This was excellent! Thank you.

Go directly to www.smithseminary.org for the course registration

Thanks

Amen and amen!

Amen!

What a blessing!

Amen

AMEN!

Enjoyed this! Especially appreciated the honesty of the participant,

Amen!

Thank you all. Blessings

https://www.facebook.com/groups/matthew25pcusa

Amen!

I needa dose of Diane Moffat every day!

Amen, goodbye!

Thank you

Thank you

Thank you!!!

THANK YOU

Amen! Thank you

Thank you!

Amen and thanks so very much for sharing your energy and direction!

Thank you for the renewed call to action —Kerr in Pittsburgh Presbytery

Thank you! It was awesome

Excellent. Thank you.

thank you

Thank you

Thank you and AMEN!

Gratitude abounds! Thank you!!

Thank you!

Thank you all!

LOVE IN Action!

Thank you so much from the UK! Wonderful to share this with you.

Thank you for the important conversation!

Thank you from First Pres Alameda, Pres of SF.

Thank you for this excellent conversation focused on embodied action and our spirituality.

well done. thank you.

Amen

Thank You! Be Well and Stay Safe

Amen