We have all been impacted in one way or another by the death of George Floyd

and the subsequent civil unrest that has dominated the headlines. 

It is abundantly clear that as a society we are still wrestling with issues of justice, privilege and institutional racism.  

At Hope Covenant, we talk about being Hope for the life of the world. 

As we seek to embody a biblical form of hope, 

it is imperative that we seek to embody that hope in the arena of racial injustice. 

Hope Covenant is seeking to respond to the challenges facing our culture

with gospel hope that is informed by four key values.

Listening. First and foremost we want to foster a community that listens to the movement of the Holy Spirit and   

listens for its call in these challenging conversations. Secondly we want to foster a listening orientation towards  

voices of color in order to illuminate needed perspectives.

Ground in Scripture. We are grounding ourselves in the words of scripture to help us understand as people of the

Word the bigger call to shalom.

Humility. We are inviting a posture of humility as we lean into conversations that are hard, complex, personal and

at times polarizing.

Growth. Our ultimate aim is growth both in our understanding and application of the gospel in areas of race and

shalom (peace) seeking.

While we, as a staff, certainly do not have all the answers, we have worked to compile a list of resources to begin our conversations in a healthy, brave, and kind way. Our staff is committed to learning with you and taking this journey together. We are beginning a journey, as a church, to be the church in order to be Hope for the life of the world.

Let’s start here!

This is a TED Talk by Clint Smith, an author and activist working towards racial understanding.

To break it down a bit farther, we are dividing our resources between kids, youth, and adults.

KIDS

Ways to talk to your kids about race: 

Talking Race With Young Children

How White Parents Can Talk To Their Kids About Race   

0-3 Years old:

Counting on Community by Innosanto Nagara

Preschool: 

We’re Different, We’re the Same by Bobbi Kates

Sesame Street Town Hall from June 6th

Elementary:

A Kids Book About Racism by Jelani Memory

Remember the Titans on Disney

Let’s Talk About Race by Julius Lester

YOUTH

Read:

March by John Lewis, novel trilogy book set

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, both the book and movie

ADULTS

Read:

White Awake by Daniel Hill

Just Mercy by Brian Stevenson

The Crisis in America’s Cities

Martin Luther King Jr. on what sparked the violent urban riots of the “long hot summer” of 1967

Myth of Equality: Uncovering the Roots of Injustice and Privilege by Ken Wytsma

Watch:

 Just Mercy  Amazon Prime

   When They See Us  Netflix

        Hidden Figures  Amazon Prime

Listen:

Racial Righteousness and Lament Playlist (by Dominique Gilliard)

The Spirituals and the Blues Playlist (by Dave Bjorlin)

Here's a great list of resources that the Evangelical Covenant offers.