Sharing the Journey: Stories from Our Congregations

The journey toward decentering whiteness can sometimes feel isolating, but you are not alone. There are congregations across the Southwest Conference engaged in this work, and hearing from them can be both inspiring and informative. Stories are a powerful way to build community, share wisdom, and remind us that we are all on this path together.

Our website will be a dedicated space for these stories. We are collecting videos and testimonials from churches as they share their experiences, learnings, and challenges. By sharing your story, you can help to inspire and encourage other congregations to begin their own work. We want to hear from every stage of the journey—from those just starting to those who have been at it for a while. Your story, no matter where you are, is valuable.

We believe that transparency about this process—including the challenges and setbacks—is a vital part of building a collective movement. When a congregation shares its struggles with finding a facilitator, or its successes in hosting a difficult but fruitful discussion, it provides a roadmap for others.

We’re excited to feature these stories through videos and testimonials on our website. This will be a living, breathing testament to the courage and commitment of the SWCUCC.

Next Step: Has your church begun the work of decentering whiteness? What have you learned? What challenges have you faced? What successes can you celebrate? We invite you to share a video about your church's journey. Please send your story or any inquiries to Wende Gonzales at wgonzales@uccswc.org.