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Having begun the Lenten Journey on Ash Wednesday with a reflection on white privilege, I invite you to further explore the theme through the Season of Lent. Contemplating issues surrounding race is very relevant, especially as our nation continues to be confronted by police violence against African Americans, such as the killing of Tamir Rice in Clevelandand many more across the nation.
You might ask why this emphasis on race as we are a predominantly white community on the campus of a liberal arts college in Wooster, Ohio. The reason is that for us as progressives it is sometimes very difficult to realize our own prejudices as we are not overtly racist and therefore think we are without bias. As a people who desire to be "Intentionally Inclusive" this unnoticed racism can be very harmful as we do not see how we participate in structures of systemic oppression, and therefore fail to create the "inclusive" community we desire.
Instinctively, our first response when we want to talk about racism is to find the nearest African American person to explain to us what it is like being African American. The reality is expressed in this quote I just recently read.
Expecting marginalized peoples to disregard their own emotions to calmly educate you is the epitome of entitlement.
If "Intentionally Inclusive" is more than just a catchphrase for our church, we will begin to explore our own lens through which we view the world and create our own reality. A new social campaign, Awake SA, launched in South Africa after facing renewed racial tension, suggests that a good place to start is to become more aware of and talk about the "privileges afforded to us by virtue of the colour of our skin." On their website they voice their belief that by growing in awareness of our privilege "we can make a real change to the future dynamic of race relations." According to Awake SA:
White privilege is not an easy thing to acknowledge and the mere mention of it puts many backs up immediately. It is important to remember that white privilege is not an accusation that has to be defended (you did nothing wrong), it is a reality that needs to be acknowledged.
By acknowledging your privilege, it is an opportunity to reflect, and to see the world through a different lens. It teaches us humility. It teaches us to listen. It teaches us to look at the people around us and understand that the opportunities afforded to us, for no reason other than the colour of our skin, were denied to them.
When someone asks you to check your privilege, see this as an opportunity to learn something from someone whose life experiences are different from yours - and a chance to come out of it as a better person.
It's totally normal to feel uncomfortable acknowledging your privilege and it's understandable to look for a way around it. No one wants to feel like they've done something wrong, particularly when they haven't.
But it's when you feel uncomfortable that it's time to let others offer insight into their experiences. The key here is to understand what to do when someone feels upset because of white privilege. Instead of trying to unpack whether something is racist from your perspective, try to do so from theirs. Your willingness to listen and engage with empathy is most important.
It is in this context of race relations that it is very appropriate that a second group from Westminster leaves today on Friday, February 19th for South Africa. As with the previous group, we will visit many significant places in South Africa's history to overthrow apartheid and attain full democracy and also the challenges faced by the "Rainbow Nation."
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| | See this interview with Bree Newsome by Gregg Brekke from the Presbyterian News Service |
Here at home in Wooster I encourage you to take full advantage of all the Black History Month events that are lined up to further educate us and help us grow in mindfulness about the reality of racism. Listed in our newsletter are several events. I would like to highlight the event with Bree Newsome, who is mostly known for removing the Confederate flag that flew on the grounds of the South Carolina Capitol. This event entitled "Tearing Hatred from the Sky" on Tuesday, February 23 at 7:30pm at The College of Wooster will be an excellent talk to attend as the presence of the Confederate Flag is a contentious issue right here in Wooster, OH, especially at the Wayne County Fair. Even at Westminster our members are of different opinions about the symbolism of the flag, yet we know very little about the present-day perception it holds for African Americans.
Thank you for being an open, daring people who are willing to be challenged and to grow!
Blessings,
Dries
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Westminster Youth To See Movie, Race
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 In celebration of Black History Month the Westminster Youth will go to the movies on Sunday at 3:30pm to see Race. If you are interested contact Emily. Race, is a film that looks at racial issues through the lens of Jesse Owens' years as an OSU student-athlete, world-record holder and winner of 4 gold medals in Berlin at the 1936 Olympics, which the Nazis had conceived of as a showcase for "Aryan" achievement.
It stars Stephan James (who played a young, pre-congressional John Lewis in Selma). Jesse Owens' daughters approved the film.
Show times at Cinemark Movies 10, 4108 Burbank Road, Wooster, OH, Phone, 330-345-2610:
Friday Feb. 19 - Sunday Feb. 21: 12:15, 3:30, 6:40 & 9:50PM
Monday Feb. 22 - Wednesday Feb. 24: 12:15, 3:30 & 6:45 PM
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All middle and high school youth and their families are invited
On Thursday, Feb. 25th at 7pm in Gault Recital Hall of Scheide Music Center, film producer Chris Temple will present a free screening of his documentary, Salam Neighbor. In this film, Temple chronicles his month-long living and filming in Za'atari in Jordan, a Syrian refugee camp. Please join Emily before the film at Westminster for pizza & another dairy-free dinner option at 6pm. After dinner, we will all walk over to Scheide together.
Submitted by Emily O
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The College of Wooster to Host Bree Newsome
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WOOSTER, Ohio - Bree Newsome, award-winning filmmaker, writer, composer, singer, activist, and community organizer will present, "Tearing Hatred from the Sky" on civil rights activism and removing South Carolina's Confederate flag on Tuesday, Feb. 23 at The College of Wooster. The event, which is free and open to the public, begins at 7:30 p.m. in Gault Recital Hall of Scheide Music Center (525 E. University St.).
Newsome is a graduate of New York University's prestigious Tisch School of the Arts, where she received a BFA in film and television. She has won many awards for her films and public service announcements. She is also the front-woman for the Charlotte-based funk band Powerhouse and also appears as a solo act, playing the keyboard and performing her original songs. She is currently at work on her debut album and recently released the song "Staystrong: A Lovesong to Freedom Fighters" inspired by her experiences as an activist and organizer in the modern civil rights movement. A staunch advocate for human rights and social justice, Newsome works as an activist and youth organizer in North Carolina, serving in the capacity of Western Field Organizer for the youth-led organization Ignite NC.
Newsome's lecture is hosted by the Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program and co-sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, the Center for Diversity and Inclusion, the Office of International Student Affairs, the Office of the Provost, the Dean of Faculty Development, the Queer Student Union, Cultural Events, and the Black Student Association.
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As many of you know, the College of Wooster UKIRK group returned from Philadelphia on the cold, winter evening of Thursday, January 14th. Even though we were exhausted from diving deeply into the now even more real and pressing issues of homelessness and mental health, how could we not come back with more questions than answers about homelessness, addiction, mental health and poverty?
The Center City Philadelphia church community called Broad Street Ministry awoke us to the social injustice that lies before our very eyes here in Wooster as we treat those who are poor and homeless merely as the background of our everyday lives. Please join us in worship at 10:45am on Sunday, February 28th as the College of Wooster UKIRK students lead us in a time of meditation and reflection about their time in the City of Brotherly Love.
What is UKik?
If you ever find yourself talking to one of our the College of Wooster students, you may have heard them use the term "UKIRK." This strange acronym stands for "U" represents "University" and "Kirk", an Old-Scots English term for "church." In other words, "University Church."
UKIRK is "the network of collegiate ministries supported by the Presbyterian Church U.S.A."
Peace,
Emily
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- Today Friday, February 19, a group of Westminster members are traveling to South Africa. Some will return Mar. 9 while others will extend their trip to the Victoria Falls. We pray for safe travels and open hearts and minds for Beth & Dries Coetzee, Jim & Janelle Collier, Dave & Sandy Schmidt, Barbara Tartir, and Karin Loess Yoder.
- We need your help naming Westminster's Semimonthly electronic newsletter. Beginning this year Westminster's Weekly News became the Semimonthly News (two newsletters a month). We would like to "name" our newsletter. Please e-mail me with your suggestions! Thanks, Dries
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The Westminster Youth thank you for your generosity as we raised nearly $350 for the Souper Bowl of Caring collection. With this donation our youth, with your help, made a difference right here in Wooster, OH by supporting Habitat for Humanity in Wayne County. Together we turned the nation's largest weekend of football into the largest weekend of caring.
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Pastor Dries is in South Africa with a group of Westminster members, and will be back in worship on Sunday, March 13. Beth will also be traveling with the group and will be back in the office on Friday, March 11. For all Pastoral/ Congregational Care concerns please contact Emily Oshinskie at 330-287-3070 (church office) , or Cheryl Weiss. If a pastor is needed they will put you in touch with the Rev. Chris Stewart.
 Chris Stewart is a graduate of Marietta College and Princeton Theological Seminary. He is an active member of the presbytery of Muskingum Valley. Chris has served the church at all its levels: General Assembly (GA), Synod and Presbytery (MVP). He is a member of the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators. Chris has volunteered for Hospice and Palliative Care of Wayne/Holmes Counties and currently serves on the Community Mental Health and Recovery Board of Wayne/Holmes Counties. He recently retired having served the Hopewell and Shreve Presbyterian churches for thirty-seven years.
Westminster's Congregational Care Ministry is available for all in our church family as needed. Please contact Cheryl Weiss, Westminster's Congregational Care Coordinator, or the church office at 330-263-2398 when you might find that you have a need (medical, time of loss, emergency, or other) and assistance in some way; perhaps meals or transportation.
Also, if you have a project, such as winter yard work, with which you would like help, we can offer the assistance of the Scouts through one of our ministry members.
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What's happening at Westminster?
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