Travelers Together (Zoom)

Our Racial Awakening and Healing Journey:  Join Us at the Table

Join us for Central Moravian Church’s annual Travelers Together series which will take place the first four Sundays of January on Zoom at 12:00 p.m.   Journey with us as we travel through history, become more aware of, seek to heal our own attitudes toward race, and address racial injustices in our world today.    These sessions will run about one and a half hours with time for presentations and Questions and Answers. Click here https://forms.gle/Fk11XU5dycTdjzju9  to register for any or all of the series presentations.

Jan. 3, 2020 “What the Early History of Bethlehem Teaches Us about Race”

Rabbi Sholomo Levy, Professor of History at Northampton Community College

The Rev. Dr. Frank Crouch,  Professor of New Testament, Moravian Theological Seminary

This opening session will offer a framework for understanding some of the ways race has shaped individual and communal life in the US, from the beginning until today. We will use the 18th century history of Moravians in Bethlehem and the early missions as a lens through which we can see the way our theology and good intentions can bring life and peace to others but also lead us astray.

Jan. 10, 2020 “The Church’s Hidden Secret:   Our (Tacit) Approval of White Supremacy”

The Rev. Dr. Riddick Weber, Associate Professor of Pastoral Ministry, Moravian Theological Seminary

Since the arrival of the first Africans in the English colonies that became the United States, the church has struggled with issues of slavery and race. The session will offer a historical overview of the church’s participation in the creation of the racist structures in American society, particularly in relationship to political and economic processes, and invite participants to consider how they can engage in dismantling them.   Content for this session will draw heavily from Jemar Tisby’s The Color of Compromise. In preparation, participants might consider watching “The Cost of Racism to White America” on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psnIvnzWNx4

Jan. 17, 2020 “Racial Justice Efforts in Today’s North American Moravian Church”

The Rev. Sue Koenig, Pastor of Graceham Moravian Church, Member of the Northern Province Racial Justice Team

Drawing upon her participation in the Racial Justice Team and work toward implementing the “Action Plan Toward Racial Justice and Healing” for the Northern Province of the Moravian Church, Pastor Koenig will present a brief history of Northern Province Synod legislation on racism.   She will discuss the formation and work of the Racial Justice Team and share details from the Action Plan. Her presentation will conclude with possible “next steps” for congregations in the work of racial justice and healing.

Jan. 24, 2020 “The Modern African American Experience in Bethlehem, PA” and Panel Discussion

Rayah Levy, Head of Adult Services at the Bethlehem Area Public Library

Based on her work to bring recent African American history in Bethlehem alive through the oral history project at the Bethlehem Area Public Library, Voices from the African Diaspora: The Black Experience of Bethlehem Pa, Ms. Levy will help us understand some of the realities faced by African Americans in Bethlehem, PA today.   Following her presentation, all of our panelists will have time to interact with one another and with participants in the series.

Flyer with Descriptions – Our Racial Awakening and Healing Journey