If your congregation has some familiarity with racial justice concepts and is ready to look inward, Level Two is your next step. This level moves beyond basic definitions to engage in critical self-reflection and dialogue. Here, we begin wrestling with the more difficult questions: not just "what is this work?" but "how does it apply to us?"
Our Goals for Level Two are to:
Move beyond basic definitions to explore how whiteness shapes our specific church culture, leadership, and theology.
Begin wrestling with the discomfort that comes from self-examination and intentionally examining who is centered and who is marginalized in our worship, leadership, and decision-making processes.
Click through for suggested activities and next steps.
Read MoreIs your church just beginning to explore the work of decentering whiteness? If so, Level One is the perfect place to start. This level is all about building a shared vocabulary and understanding in a compassionate and supportive environment. We believe that a strong foundation is the key to all subsequent work.
Our Goals for Level One are to:
Establish a shared understanding of terms like "decentering whiteness," "white supremacy culture," and "racial justice".
Begin to recognize how whiteness shows up in church traditions, worship, and decision-making.
Create a safe space where congregants can ask questions and engage in dialogue without fear of judgment.
Suggested Activities to get you started:
Read MoreEvery congregation is on a different part of their spiritual journey. The same is true for their journey toward racial justice. The Decentering Whiteness Task Force recognizes this and has created a structured program plan designed to support congregations at all stages. We want to meet you where you are, not ask you to jump to a place you’re not ready for.
Our approach is designed to be invitational and action-oriented. We offer three "levels" of engagement, providing a clear pathway for congregations to grow in understanding, courage, and commitment. Congregations can start at a level that aligns with their current journey and comfort, knowing that each level builds upon the last.
Level Two encourages more critical self-examination and dialogue for those who have some familiarity with racial justice concepts and are ready to look inward.
Level Three challenges congregations to directly confront difficult historical and contemporary symbols and practices that uphold whiteness. This is for churches already engaged in ongoing anti-racism work and ready to move into concrete action.
This structured pathway is not a race; it's a pilgrimage. It allows your congregation to grow at a sustainable pace, building the necessary trust and shared vocabulary to tackle more challenging conversations and actions down the road. Our goal is to empower you to become a more inclusive and equitable faith community.
Next Step: Are you ready to find out which level is right for your congregation? Visit the Our Program: Engaging Your Congregation page on our website to learn more, and stay tuned for our next posts where we'll break down each level in more detail.
Read MoreBefore we can begin a new journey, we need to understand the map. Two terms that are central to this work, and which are often confused, are "racial justice" and "decentering whiteness." While they are deeply connected, they have different focuses.
Click through to read more.
Read MoreThe Southwest Conference is thrilled to introduce our new dedicated website section: Decentering Whiteness: Our Journey Together. This new resource is designed to provide your congregation with clear pathways, resources, and support. Our objective is to deepen your understanding of how whiteness has shaped our society and church life, to build a shared vocabulary, and to create a foundation for ongoing transformation. This is a journey we are taking together, and this new section is our shared map and compass.
Click through to read more.
Read MoreIn our shared journey within the United Church of Christ, we are called to foster spaces of radical hospitality, inclusion, and belonging. Yet, creating such beloved communities requires more than just welcoming words. It demands the courage and skill to address harm when it occurs, particularly when individuals or groups with marginalized identities experience bias, microaggressions, or discrimination. How do we interrupt harm effectively while aiming for understanding and constructive change?
Read MoreThe Decentering Whiteness Task Force of the Southwest Conference of the UCC will be present at the 2025 Annual Meeting in Albuquerque. We will be offering a workshop titled "Calling People In," a method designed to address problematic behaviors or statements, especially those rooted in racial bias, with compassion and education rather than public shaming. In the context of racial justice and decentering whiteness, this approach fosters accountability while recognizing that everyone is on a learning journey, prioritizing understanding and growth over punitive measures. This seeks to create a safer space for dialogue, particularly for those from marginalized groups, by fostering a learning environment where individuals can recognize and correct their biases, thus shifting away from a culture that protects white comfort at the expense of addressing systemic inequity. Additionally, we will host a table with various resources to support churches in their quest for decentering whiteness, both personally and within their congregations.
Read MoreOur SWC Decentering Whiteness Taskforce shares their August article, written by Rev. Clara Sims, about resources to learn about The 1619 Project.
"In the ever present prophetic urgency of truth-telling about the origins and legacies we have inherited, we invite you to spend some time in August with any part of this work and trust that you will be inspired by the liberative vision of freedom and dignity for all people that BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) resistance and resilience have kept alive."
Read MoreMany of you were first introduced to the Decentering Whiteness Taskforce during our Annual Meeting. The Decentering Whiteness Taskforce hosted the panel discussion “Decentering Whiteness 101.” We were thrilled with the amount of interest that we received after the panel discussion AND we learned that many folks were confused about who and what we are. Read this article by Rev. Rhonda Newby-Torres (chair) to learn more.
Read More
