Uprooting Racism Task Force

Contact: John LaRue (802) 899-2818 jllarue@together.net

The Uprooting Racism Task Force encourages churches to explore what it means to be extravagantly welcoming and inclusive, and provides materials to assist churches in becoming multiracial and multicultural. To this end, it has proposed resolutions to the state conference for discussion amongst churches and for vote by delegates to the annual meeting.

The most recent of the resolutions, “On Becoming a Multiracial and Multicultural Church,” passed at the 2008 Annual Meeting of the Conference. The Task Force produced a DVD, “UNCOVERING RACISM IN VERMONT,” which includes a 30-minute movie “Vermont, a Multiracial, Multicultural State?” available to be borrowed from the Conference’s Resource Center: (802) 728-4999. Copyright information regarding materials produced by the Task Force is available by clicking here.

Additional books and videos selected by the Task Force for use by congregations are available at the Resource Center as well. The Task Force also provides bibliographies of books recommended by the Task Force but not owned by the conference; Uprooting Racism bulletin inserts; a brochure to explain our purpose and activities; and other educational materials.

Within our local UCC churches and Associations of the Vermont Conference, the URTF works to create awareness of racism in Vermont, the white privilege that allows it to occur unchallenged, and the Christian imperatives that require us as members of a faith community to act against it.

The Task Force ran a pilot program, Interfaith Racial Justice Education Offerings, in St. Johnsbury in the winter of 2006, and would gladly mentor another church or community wishing to help develop additional resources for our children, youth groups, and adult study groups.

The Task Force plans and helps fund workshops, speakers, activities, and events for the Vermont Conference  Annual Meeting, Mission Connections, and local churches.  Churches are encouraged to assess the needs of their community, peruse the Vermont Conference-UCC Resource  Center offerings, and consult with the Task Force if desired, to develop programs that educate congregations and communities about white privilege, racial justice, and multiracial, multicultural inclusiveness.

The Task Force provides public witness and advocacy, such as testifying before the Vermont legislature in support of Act 91, which defined and set penalties for racial harassment in public schools; and writing letters to the editor. The Task Force also refers groups and individuals to other racial justice resources as needed.

We are exploring new opportunities to connect with others wishing to participate in Sacred Conversations on Race, and extravagantly welcome you in the conversation as well!