Engage the Bible Task Force is partnering with the Racial Justice Network to sponsor a synod-wide adult faith formation study this fall. Using the curriculum Dialogues On: Race, we’ll explore our relationship with race, the Bible, and our theological responses. Each week’s dialogue explores the history of racism, personal faith stories, and biblical reflections with an eye toward community building. There are THREE WAYS TO JOIN—check them out below. *Registration closes September 25.

The first 18 congregations to apply will receive a FREE leader guide and up to 10 FREE student books. In early September, we hosted a facilitator training. If you are a facilitator but you missed it, you can watch the recorded training here.

And, while your congregation group can begin anytime, the Zoom opportunity for individuals begins on Thursday, September 16, at either noon or 7 p.m. Check out the details and register below.

On Thursday evening, November 11, we will host a Zoom panel discussion with some of the authors of this study! Stay tuned for the specific time and the link to participate.

JOIN WITH YOUR CONGREGATION GROUP
If you choose to join with your congregation group, be sure to fill out this form to receive FREE curriculum! The first 18 groups to apply will receive 1 leader guide and up to 10 student books free. Set your own schedule and gather safely—in person or virtually. The already-established trust of your group will be a bonus as you experience this course together. Congregation group facilitators may choose to participate in the free training available via Zoom. See below for details. Participating in the course this way is free to the first 18 groups!

JOIN AS AN INDIVIDUAL THROUGH THE RACIAL JUSTICE NETWORK
If your congregation is not able to gather a group for this study, consider joining as an individual via the synod’s Racial Justice Network (RJN). By joining the RJN to connect to the Zoom sessions, you will benefit by (1) having access to recorded sessions to watch at your convenience, (2) having other participants with whom you can discuss outside of weekly sessions via the Mighty Networks platform. (It’s sorta like Facebook.) In order to join through the RJN, you’ll need to join the network for 12 months—$25.00—and you’ll have the added bonus of RJN courses and content for the balance of the year. (You will be alerted when your subscription begins to renew and you may cancel before that time if you choose.) If you are already an RJN member, just join the “Dialogues On: Race” group inside the Network. The Zoom course begins Thursday, September 16, and will be offered at noon or 7 p.m. for the following eight weeks. You will access the Zoom link from inside the Network platform under Events. Additionally, you will need to purchase the student book to participate. USE THIS LINK TO JOIN VIA THE RJN. Because the course is designed to build community through dialogue, we recommend you attend at the same time each week

JOIN AS AN INDIVIDUAL VIA ZOOM
If your congregation is not able to gather a group for this study, consider joining as an individual via Zoom. If you choose not to subscribe to the RJN for this study, no problem! You may subscribe to the Zoom study and you’ll receive an email each week with the Zoom link. The Zoom course begins on Thursday, September 16, and will be offered at noon or 7 p.m. for the following eight weeks. You may choose which session you attend based on your schedule; no need to attend at the same time each week. When you participate in this way, there is no fee for the course, only the cost of your student book to participate. COMPLETE THIS FORM TO JOIN VIA ZOOM. Because the course is designed to build community through dialogue, we recommend you attend at the same time each week. *Registration closes September 25.

FACILITATORS’ TRAINING
Training took place on September 9, but you can see a video of it here.

COURSE FACILITATORS
The Zoom course facilitator for the noon class will be the Rev. Jasmine Tesdahl, Associate Pastor, Holy Trinity, Hickory.
The Zoom course facilitator for the 7 p.m. class will be the Rev. Dick Little, retired, of Matthews.
Because the course is designed to build community through dialogue, we recommend you attend at the same time each week

COURSE MATERIALS
For individuals participating in the Zoom class—either through RJN or not—purchasing a student book is highly encouraged. Each week contains a piece written by a different author on a different topic.

AUTHOR PANEL VIA ZOOM
More details will be coming, but hold the evening of Thursday, November 11, for this conversation with some of the “Dialogues on Race” authors. This event will be public and participants will not need to have taken the course in order to join.