Join RUN this Fall for our next Book Discussion of God Loves Justice, by Jessica Nicholas

   CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE STUDY

  Dates: Saturdays, Sept 30– Nov 18
    Time: 10:00am-11:30am
    Place: Virtual on Zoom…link to follow.

Book Description: What is social justice and is it even in the Bible? Christians seem to ask this question all the time, yet still are confused and divided over the answers they come up with. What would God say about social justice as we know it today? This book answers those questions and much more. God Loves Justice is a practical guide to understanding biblical social justice.

Jessica Nicholas lived a secret for over a decade. While she worked passionately for social justice, she couldn’t define it or give its biblical meaning. In her church background, social justice had a reputation for being secular and theologically weak. After God challenged her to learn what He loves, she changed from doing research about social justice to studying the Bible. In the Bible, she found the most powerful, practical, Christ-centered and unbiased message about justice. Because of this, she is passionate about creating resources in everyday language for Christians to better understand biblical justice and righteousness.

Questions? Email: christina.dorsey@outlook.com

Join RUN this Summer for our next Book Discussion of Becoming Brave, by Brenda Salter McNeil.

   CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE STUDY

  Dates: Mondays, June 5 – July 31 (skipping July 3)
    Time: 7:00-8:30pm
    Place: Dorsey’s, 909 Bayberry, State College, PA 16801

Please obtain the book and read the Preface and Chapter 1 in preparation for the first session.

Book Description: In Becoming Brave, McNeil calls us out of passivity and into action.  Looking through the lens of the biblical narrative of Esther, McNeil challenges us to be everyday activists who become courageous enough to break the silence and work together with others to repair broken systems of justice.

Brenda Salter McNeil is a dynamic speaker, author, professor and thought leader.  Dr. McNeil is Director of Reconciliation Studies at Seattle Pacific University and an associate pastor at Quest Church in Seattle.

Questions? Email: christina.dorsey@outlook.com

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE STUDY

Join run this Fall 2022 for our next Book Discussion of Faithful Antiracism, by Christina Edmondson and Chad Brennan. You’ll have a choice of two formats both starting in September:

1. Virtual Class | Saturdays, 9-10:30am, Sept 24-Nov 12
   co-taught by Curtis Price and Heidi Richardella

2. In-Person Book Discussion | Tuesdays, 7-8:30pm, Sept 6-Nov 15
   facilitated by Christina Dorsey at 909 Bayberry Drive, SC, PA 16801

About the book:

It's time to move past talk. It's no longer news to most of us that our society has a deep-seated racism problem. Christians of all ethnic and economic backgrounds are tired of seeing the ugly legacy of racism play out before their eyes and feeling ill-equipped to respond. They watch as friends and family members leave the visible church over this issue, or fall prey to a gospel of White nationalism that is an affront to the cross of Christ.

Racism presents itself as an undefeatable foe—a sustained scourge on the reputation of the church. In Faithful Antiracism, Christina Barland Edmondson and Chad Brennan take confidence from the truth that Christ has overcome the world, including racism, and offer clear analysis and interventions to challenge and resist its pernicious power. Drawing on brand-new research from the landmark Race, Religion, and Justice Project led by Michael Emerson and others, this book represents the most comprehensive study on Christians and race since Emerson's own book Divided by Faith (2001). It invites readers to put this data to immediate practical use, applying it to their own specific context.

Compelled by our grievous social moment and by the timeless truth of Scripture, Faithful Antiracism will equip readers to move past talk and enter the fight against racism in both practical and hopeful ways.

Join RUN for our 2022 Summer Book Discussion of Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man, by Emmanuel Acho. Summer weather means open windows (or even meeting outside), so we’re offering our first in-person book group since 2019!

We’ll be meeting Thursdays from 7-8:30pm from May 26th - August 4th at The Dorsey home.

Facilitators will be Curtis Price and Dan Dorsey.

Contact RUN through the website or drop Dan Dorsey an email for more information.

About the book:

An urgent primer on race and racism, from the host of the viral hit video series “Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man”

“You cannot fix a problem you do not know you have.” So begins Emmanuel Acho in his essential guide to the truths Americans need to know to address the systemic racism that has recently electrified protests in all fifty states. “There is a fix,” Acho says. “But in order to access it, we’re going to have to have some uncomfortable conversations.”

In Uncomfortable Conversations With a Black Man, Acho takes on all the questions, large and small, insensitive and taboo, many white Americans are afraid to ask―yet which all Americans need the answers to, now more than ever. With the same open-hearted generosity that has made his video series a phenomenon, Acho explains the vital core of such fraught concepts as white privilege, cultural appropriation, and “reverse racism.” In his own words, he provides a space of compassion and understanding in a discussion that can lack both. He asks only for the reader’s curiosity―but along the way, he will galvanize all of us to join the antiracist fight.

Join RUN for our second book discussion in Spring 2022. We’ll be reading Trouble I've Seen: Changing the Way the Church Views Racism, by Drew Hart, a book exploring concrete practices churches can take to promote racial justice. We’ll be meeting Thursday nights from 6:30 -7:30 on Zoom, starting on March 24th and ending April 21st.

All are welcome. Please Sign up here! (You can ignore references to the first book discussion)

Summary from the Publisher: The high-profile killings of young black men and women and the protests and violence that ensued have convinced many to reexamine their intuitions when it comes to race and justice. Leading readers toward Jesus, theologian Drew G. I. Hart offers concrete practices for churches that seek solidarity with the oppressed and are committed to racial justice. What if all Christians listened to the stories of those on the racialized margins? How might the church be changed by the trouble they’ve seen?

Join RUN for our first book discussion in Spring 2022. We’ll be reading We Are Not Like Them, by Christine Pride and Jo Piazza. We’ll be meeting Thursday nights from 6:30-7:30 on Zoom, starting February 3rd and ending March 3rd.

All are welcome! Please note this novel contains mature themes and language.

From the Publisher: We Are Not Like Them explores complex questions of race and how they pervade and shape our most intimate spaces in a deeply divided world. Told from alternating perspectives, an evocative and riveting novel about the lifelong bond between two women, one Black and one white, whose friendship is indelibly altered by a tragic event.

This challenge is all about personal growth and transformation. For each day in February, you will have the opportunity to choose one activity to deepen your knowledge of race and racism.

Structure

The challenge will run from Feb 1 to Feb 28. We will use a 6 day + 1 day of reflection approach. Participants choose from a menu of manageable options to read, listen, watch or do each day, recording thoughts along the way.  The seventh day is reserved for a review of the previous 6 days – reflecting on things that stood out, things learned, actions committed to, etc. 

Resource Menu

There are resources to expose participants to cultural elements (music, art, sports, etc.) as well as faith-based explanations of foundational concepts of critical race theory.

Small Group Discussion (encouraged)

We will provide you the opportunity to connect with several others in a small group (3-4 people) to discuss the things you’re learning each week. This optional group will be key to help solidify insights you’re gaining and we strongly encourage everyone to join one. Please indicate your desire when signing up.

Sign-up

We’d ask that all participants sign up to take advantage of weekly insights throughout the challenge.

The groups will be based around Oneness Embraced by Dr. Tony Evans.  Given the many points of deep division in our country right now (racial, political, etc.), we think this focus on unity will be especially timely. 

The groups will be organized around a 6-part video series that Dr. Evans has produced based on his book.  These short videos will be included during the group session so that, for those with tight schedules, no preparation is required!  For those who want to go deeper, you have the option of following along in the book Oneness Embraced: Reconciliation, the Kingdom, and How We are Stronger Together.  Feel free to order a copy from your favorite retailer.

Email ddorsey@calvarysc.org to sign up!

Join RUN for a book discussion on “Color of Compromise” by Jemar Tisby. Thanks to a generous anonymous donor, the books are provided to participants at not cost! Virtual groups will be meeting over the course of ~8 weeks on different days. Discussions will begin late June 2020. We expect a high turn out so sign up soon! Here is a summary of the book:

“In The Color of Compromise, Jemar Tisby takes readers back to the roots of sustained racism and injustice in the American church.  Filled with powerful stories and examples of American Christianity's racial past, Tisby's historical narrative highlights the obvious ways people of faith have actively worked against racial justice, as well as the complicit silence of racial moderates.  Identifying the cultural and institutional tables that must be flipped to bring about progress, Tisby provides an in-depth diagnosis for a racially divided American church and suggests ways to foster a more equitable and inclusive environment among God's people.”