Resources from the UMC

Books

  • Trouble I’ve Seen: Changing the Way the Church Views Racism by Drew G.I. Hart. An analysis of racial injustice within the current American culture. Offers concrete practices for churches that are committed to racial justice and solidarity with the oppressed.
  • The Myth of Equality: Uncovering the Roots of Injustice and Privilege by Ken Wytsma, founder of the Justice Conference. An introduction to the reality of inequality and privilege present in our society. Helps the reader gain understanding of the issues, as well as the role believers should play in reconciliation.
  • America’s Original Sin: Racism, White Privilege, and the Bridge to a New America by Jim Wallis. An examination of the deeply ingrained system of racism in America, with a call to action urging white Christians to embrace racial justice and healing.
  • Freedom Walkers – The story of the Montgomery boycott by Russell Freedman. On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks refused to move to the back of the bus and give up her seat to a white man. This refusal to give up her dignity sparked the Montgomery bus boycott, which eventually ended segregation on buses. But the boycott did not start or end there, and here Russell Freedman breathes life into all the key personalities and events that contributed to the yearlong struggle, a major victory in the civil rights movement For children age – 8th grade
  • Walking in the Wind- a Memoir of the Movement by John Lewis. One of our most important records of the American civil rights movement. Told by John Lewis. This is a gripping first-hand account of the fight for civil rights and the courage it takes to change a nation; the journey led him to the Washington as the U.S. Representative for Georgia’s 5th district.
  • With Head and Heart – The Autobiography of Howard Thurman A black minister, philosopher, and educator whose vitality touched live of all races, faiths and cultures
  • Meditations of the Heart by Howard Thurman. Meditations of the Heart is a beautiful collection of meditations and prayers by one of our greatest spiritual leaders. Howard Thurman, the great spiritualist and mystic, was renowned for the quiet beauty of his reflections on humanity and our relationship with God. This collection of fifty-four of his most well-known meditations features his thoughts on prayer, community, and the joys and rituals of life.
  • White Awake by Daniel Hill. An introduction to white privilege and understanding both
    personal and social realities in the areas of race, culture, and identity. Contains a discussion
    guide for each chapter.
  • Disunity in Christ: Uncovering the Hidden Forces That Keep Us Apart by Christena Cleveland of Duke Divinity School. Written from the unique perspective of a social psychologist, theologian, and professor looking at the latest studies and research about the unseen dynamics which tend to separate us. Contains a discussion guide for each chapter.
  • Prophetic Lament: A Call for Justice in Troubled Times by Soong-Chan Rah. A prophetic exposition of the book of Lamentations which calls the Church to repentance, lament, and a true commitment to justice and reconciliation.
  • Welcoming the Stranger: Justice, Compassion & Truth in the Immigration Debate by Matthew Soerens and Jenny Hwang.
  • Christians at the Border: Immigration, the Church, and the Bible by M. Daniel Carroll R.

Bible Studies

  • Holding Up Your Corner: Talking About Race in Your Community by Willis F. Johnson. A DVD study which can be used for a seminar or a series of conversations. Contains practical, biblical guidance for empowering churches towards understanding racial injustice, and taking action.
  • The Love Walk by Amanda Beth is a fifteen-week devotional created to encourage and support you in your love walk. Each devotional focuses on a different characteristic of love as described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8: Each chapter includes an encouragement, a prayer, verses to meditate on, and one verse to memorize to support you in your love walk. Additionally, at the end of each chapter there are questions to reflect on for personal evaluation or group study.
  • Roadmap to Reconciliation: Moving Communities into Unity, Wholeness and Justice by Brenda Salter McNeil. A Bible study and small group discussion guide which lays out guidelines for moving a faith community to next steps in the journey towards unity, wholeness, and racial justice.

Pastoral /Preaching Aids

  • Who Lynched Willie Earle? Preaching to Confront Racism by William Willison. This book helps pastors (especially of white, mainline Protestant churches) preach effectively in situations of racial violence and unrest.

Websites

Equity Organizations (Local)

  • Building Bridges of Asheville | http://www.bbavl.org | Bridges hosts two nine-week educational sessions on black-and- white racism in Asheville each year.
  • Pisgah Legal | http://www.pisgahlegal.org | A nonprofit that provides free civil legal aid to the most vulnerable people in WNC: disadvantaged children, seniors, at risk families, domestic violence victims.
  • Consumer Credit Counseling | https://ontrackwnc.org | OnTrack Financial Education & Counseling (OnTrack WNC) is a private non-profit, community-supported, United Way agency. Since 1973 they have fulfilled their mission by helping people manage their money and credit through education programs, individual counseling appointments, and debt management programs.
  • Asheville Buncombe Institute for Parity Achievement (ABIPA) | http://abipaasheville.wixsite.com/abipa | Serves African Americans and all people of color in the following ways:
    • Locate: From the barber shop to the fellowship hall, ABIPA goes into communities of color to reach people where they are.
    • Educate: ABIPA speaks in ways that are culturally relevant and sensitive. They encourage participants to ask questions and get information in an environment of trust.
    • Navigate: ABIPA serves as guides and companions to individuals navigating a complex health care system.
    • Advocate: ABIPA empowers individuals to take control of their own health.
  • Compañeros Inmigrantes de las Montañas en Accion | http://colawnc.org | CIMA continues to fight for immigrant rights in Western North Carolina by standing on the values that were founded by the organization. These values being:
    • That grassroots communities have the wisdom and experience to direct their future.
    • That the organization is best guided by full participation of it’s members.
    • That all people should be treated with respect and dignity.
    • CIMA believes in equal opportunities, equal rights and in fair and just laws
    • CIMA believes in the strength of diversity and multi-lingual spaces

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  • Resources for Justice
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