Healing the Wounds of Racism
In the beginning.
there was a synod vision, part of which calls upon people to do justice. In 2002, the New England Synod Council chose Healing the Wounds of Racism as the vehicle by which the Synod would confront racism. Healing the Wounds is not another "program," but rather a "process" which involves participants in an ongoing attitude of prayer and openness to new feelings, understand-ings and actions about racism and its affects on all of us. The Synod Council identified Huperetai (Hoo-per-et-tie), a cross-cultural teaching alliance, to lead this process.
The two-stage learning process engages participants spiritually, as well as cognitively.
The Introductory Weekend is centered in prayer, history, analysis and learning about racism, white advantage and the affect of this on both white people and people of color. Participants commit to attending the next stage of development ( Stage 2 ) and community building
The Stage 2 Weekend furthers the development of analytical skills to look at institutional systems and continues to encourage learning and nurture in a community of accountability.
The Healing the Wounds Community is open to all who have participated in the learning process. Community work involves Bible study and the support of one another in personal and institutional transformation. The Community gathered March 17, 2007, and September 22, 2007, a special "reunion" gathering. We also participated in a session with Tim Wise, author of "White Like Me," during July 2007.
HUPERETAI
Huperetai is a transliteration of one of the seven Greek words for "servant" in the New Testament.
These servants were referred to as "underowners." When the great Greek sailing ships were in danger of hitting the rocky coast, the Huperetai would get into a small boat tethered to the sailing ship. They would - with every fiber in their bodies - row to prevent the ship from crashing on the rocky coast.
In Luke 4, after Jesus read the prophecy from Isaiah about the coming revolution, he handed the scroll to the Huperetes.
Huperetai is a cross-cultural teaching alliance, based in Philadelphia , with experience in teaching, writing, community organizing and community building. They believe that the rocky coast against which we are asked to row is racism - in our land, in our institutions, in the church. The leaders from Huperetai are guiding us in our journey to discover and heal the wounds of racism in the New England Synod.
Huperetai believes that the text Jesus handed to the servant that day is the text that he hands to all those who would follow him. Every participant in the event has opportunity to receive that text and to work to affirm and sustain its fulfillment even among us.
I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God - what is good and acceptable and perfect. ( Romans 12:1-2, NRSV)
2008 Schedule
will be posted soon.
There will be both introductory and stage 2 weekends,
plus one event specifically for people of color.
The Healer Community is facilitated by a Leadership for Liberation Team, whose members study, pray, act and provide direction for the movement.
Leadership for Liberation Team
. Pr. Santiago Rodriguez - Spiritual Advisor, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Providence , R.I. (401.421.5860)
. Pr. David Thorp , Faith Lutheran Church , North Windham , Maine (207.583.6446)
. Keila Medina-Rodriguez , Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Providence , R.I. (401.454.2119)
. Pr. Tom Maehl , First, Waltham , Mass. (781.893.6563)
. Vimar Rodriguez , Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Providence , R.I. (401.454.2119)
. Ruth Nunnally, Our Savior Lutheran Church, Dorchester, MA (617.776.5474)
. Marilyn Durant, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Westboro, MA
The Liberation Team meets to pray and to plan.
How to prepare for the Intro Weekend
.Read and reflect on the Gospel of Luke
.Read There Is a River by Vincent Harding
.Pray for the participants and leaders
What to bring :
.Bible
.Humor and courage
.Faith and hope
.Casual attire
.Your whole self for the whole time.
The event is a time of spiritual and human transformation. The learning community commits itself to immersion in prayer, study and reflection without distractions or interruptions. Participants are asked to remain on site, refrain from alcohol and TV, and be attentive to the Presence of God and to one another.
What to expect at the events
.God's Holy Spirit leading us to greater spiritual worship through the renewal of our minds
.Discernment of God's will as to what is good and acceptable
.Some pain - rebirth is painful.
.Some joy of discovery.
.Insight into historical truths that have been obscured and/or hidden from us
.An invitation to a community that journeys together toward a new cross-cultural identity
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