Dear Caldwell Family and Friends,
ARCC has been growing and working behind the scenes to prepare opportunities for Caldwell’s journey in our quest to overcome institutional “white supremacy.” We write now to share and bring you up to date on some of our activities. Key to these activities have been the selection of a well-suited partner to walk with us and guide us on this journey, accessing some of our usual activities and recommending alternatives that speak to a more viable truth, engaging in specific training to enhance our skills set in building cross cultural relationships and looking for ways that we as the Caldwell community can build relationships vital to the success of forming the Beloved Community.
“Charlotte’s Haunted Future”: A Walk Through Uptown and Charlotte’s History
With guide Rev. Greg Jarrell, about twenty five members and friends of Caldwell walked about 2 miles over the course of 2 hours through Uptown Charlotte in search of “stories of exclusions and invisibilities.” Along the way, we talked history, theology, economics, and neighborhood development. While we walked we considered how we might conjure a future distinct from the past. Be looking for an opportunity to once again gather around this topic and to debrief. We’d like to share our learning and speak to ideas generated around our learning.
To support Rev. Jarrell in his work, we share the following resources to access his work and give you advance access to his upcoming book. For his email newsletter, with updates on his project and for new materials: https://gregjarrell.substack.com/. To pre-order his book: https://www.parkroadbooks.com/preorder-our-trespasses-white-churches-and-taking-american-neighborhoods-greg-jarrell
Anti-racism and Strategic Planning with CROSSROADS
We have committed to a true partnership with Crossroads. For our future engagement we will specifically work with the Reverend Shawna Bowman. Rev. Shawna Bowman (they/their/theirs) is an artist and pastor first called and installed as pastor of Friendship Presbyterian Church in Chicago. They have been doing ministry with the creative and justice-seeking folks there since 2011. In 2019 Friendship launched a not for profit called Friendship Community Place to create a community center space where they serve as the Executive Director. Shawna is a 2009 grad from McCormick Theological Seminary where they currently serve as Affiliate Faculty. They are an organizer and facilitator at Crossroads Antiracism and Training and serves on the Board of Directors at The Night Ministry in Chicago. They bring to our relationship key skills in antiracism work, experience with onsite affordable housing administration and the spiritual and reformed theological tradition.
Shawna has been on sabbatical this summer but will begin to engage more fully as we plan our steps forward, so, please look for upcoming opportunities to meet Shawna and help us to develop our plan forward. We will be investigating the three-fold chord of Caldwell’s key ministries shaping our progress as we braid together our discipleship and advocacy.
Racial Healing Workshop, Nov. 10-11 (Free)
When we were made aware of our errors facilitating our Juneteenth gathering, we sought help. (Read the ARCC Apology to BIPOC here) We have been in the very capable hands of Kimberlee Yolanda Williams as a coach to assist us in our individual and group journey of healing, redemption, and love. Through this study we have been acquiring tools that we can use in community to better understand, relate and be accountable to each other. You too will have an opportunity to learn and prepare for this journey with us by attending a workshop on November 10th -11th. Access a special invitation at this link and save the dates for this insightful opportunity.
Schedule
Friday: November 10
2-4pm Private storytelling (opportunity for folks to share experiences at Caldwell with Kimberlee)
5-8pm Retreat kickoff
Saturday: November 11
10am-4pm Retreat
Once again, we have entered a season that reminds us of the nature of our journeying and growing towards the dismantling of racism. For now, we still must call out the differences that are only marginally recognized in our understanding of inclusiveness in our community. Until we have overcome the legacy of white supremacy in our lives, we must work to value the celebrations encouraged by Hispanic Heritage Month and Indigenous Peoples Day. So, with delight and joy, Caldwell embraces these calendar reminders of important opportunities that foster learning and growth outside the usual.
Hispanic Heritage Month and Indigenous Peoples’
Without a doubt you have experienced the richness added to our worship service as the staff has diligently included the diversity of Spanish and Latin voice in our order of worship. We challenge you to engage yourself in responsible accountability for your learning, connecting, engaging, and acting in ways the reflect your discipleship and encourage diversity. We pray that through your growth you will inspire others to be their best selves as well. If you have yet to begin your journey, please refer to our previous letters to get you started. (August 31, 2022 and October 12, 2022) A new resource similar to our previous 21 Day Racial Equity Challenge can be found at the following link:
In addition to this learning, as a substitute for our usual Indigenous People’s Day Event, we are planning a bus trip to visit the Catawba Nation Cultural Center on the Catawba Reservation near Rock Hill SC on Saturday, November 18. If you have not had the occasion to participate in an authentic POW-WOW, this will be a great occasion to do so. Please view the flyer at Catawba Nation November 18th Event.docx – Google Docs and make a reservation to go with us here. We will charter a bus for the event, but we will also carpool, and caravan as needed to minimize the carbon footprint for the event.
This update includes a lot of information and additional information regarding events is forthcoming.
But the important dates to remember include:
Hispanic Heritage Month……………..…….Fri, Sep 15th – Sun, Oct 15th
Indigenous Peoples’ Day……………..……..Mon, Oct 9th
Tour Debrief……………………………………….Date Yet to Be Determined
Racial Healing Workshop ……………………Fri, Nov. 10 and Sat, Nov. 11
Field Trip to Catawba Reservation……… Sat. Nov. 18th
ARCC Members: Kimbo Bohannon, Fran Hayes, Kevin Martin, Alyssa Mouton, Diane Mowrey, Felicia Pine, Rosa
Ramirez, Jim Thompson
ARCC Staff Members: Dot Killian, John Cleghorn
Share your reactions in Caldwell Conversations. Let us know what you think. To communicate with ARCC directly, email us at arcc@caldwellpresby.org.