Racial Justice Ministries encompasses our efforts to bring awareness, make a difference, and inspire change. 
We believe in the equality of all peoples. 
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If you have any questions or would like to get involved, email us at office@mcfarlanducc.org.
Our Racial Justice Ministries Mission Statement
We at McFarland UCC recognize the ongoing acts of injustice against people of color, and we stand in support of those who bear the burden of inequity in our nation. We believe in our interconnectedness as human beings, and we pledge to work together as a congregation to educate ourselves and to take action to improve the lives of those who have been oppressed. Psalm 82:3 (New International Version) exhorts us to “Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.” As we begin to understand the extent of racial injustices in our nation, we are called to work toward a more just and equitable future for all of God’s people.
 
2023 Activities to Work Towards Racial Justice:

Racial Justice Video Series
Join us for a three-part video series on “The Color of Compromise.” This is an acclaimed, timely study of how some people of faith have historically, and even up to the present day, actually worked against racial justice. It’s a call to urgent action for all Christians today.
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“The Color of Compromise” is enlightening, compelling, and also painful, telling a history we either have ignored or just do not know. It details how some churches have helped create and maintain racist ideas and practices. We will think through practical solutions for improved race relations and a more racially inclusive church.

This series will be offered in person at McFarland UCC and also on Zoom. We will view one episode on each of the following Tuesday evenings:
Feb. 28, March 7 and March 14, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

After the 20-minute video, we will break into groups either in person or on Zoom to consider and discuss the video, based on a few questions that we will provide to everyone. Then we’ll come back together to report on what we discussed, finishing no later than 8:00 p.m.

We are also inviting members of Wisconsin Conference and local McFarland churches to participate in this discussion. If you would like to join online, please send an email to office@mcfarlanducc.org and include
“The Color of Compromise” in the email subject line. You will receive the Zoom link and password several days before the event.

Let’s learn and discuss what we as Christians can do to support the cause of racial justice.

2022 Achievements
  • Book Club – In 2021-22 we read and discussed the following books, learning things we never knew about our nation’s history and current struggles:
    • "Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents" by Isabelle Wilkerson
    • "How To Be an Antiracist" by Ibram X. Kendi
    • "Evicted" by Matthew Desmond
    • "The Color of Compromise: The Truth About the American Church's Complicity in Racism" by Jemar Tisby
  • "Why Race Matters" PBS series – In 2022 we held Zoom sessions over seven weeks to view and discuss episodes of the “Why Race Matters” series on PBS. These episodes included topics on Mental Health, Civic Engagements, School-to-Prison Pipeline, Black Farming and Land Ownership, Maternal Health and Birth Equity, Black Artists and Appropriation, and Women and Barriers After Incarceration. For those
    who were unable to attend, or would like to see recent episodes, here is the link: https://pbswisconsin.org/why-race-matters/
  • Personal Essentials Drive for Nehemiah Community Development – Collecting essential items for Madison communities in need.
  • Church Ambiance – We examined how church artwork and nursery books/toys may not be as inclusive and welcoming as we’d like, and new artwork and nursery items have been included. A Worship Arts Committee has been formed to review and refresh our wall space with a goal of enhancing inclusivity and also highlighting art created by church members and youth.  
  • Movie Night – In 2021-22, we enjoyed watching two outdoor movies, “Remember the Titans” and “Ruby Bridges.”
  • Postcard Writing Campaign - In 2022, we partnered with Reclaim Our Vote, a campaign of the Center for Common Ground, to empower under-represented voters to fully participate in elections by sending postcards to a list provided to us by Reclaim Our Vote. We held postcard-writing sessions after church on several successive Sundays and mailed a total of 120 postcards to people in Florida who were registered to vote but hadn’t voted in the past couple of election cycles.