Anti-Racism Activities - 2024-2026

The work of the Antiracism Ministry Team is to assist Little River UCC members and friends to engage in reflection and begin to take action in our quest to move from being non-racists (who do not engage in racist activity or attitudes) to being antiracists (who actively work against racism).

2024

In January, Pastor Shelli led us in a 5-week study of Womanist Theology, which presents the gospel in relation to the intersecting oppressive forces that Black women face – racism, sexism, and classism. We also welcomed Rev. Martin Silver, the Rev. Darryl! Moch, and Suzette Reynolds as special guests and participants in our Martin Luther King Sunday.

In April, we gathered a group of about 20 people to tour the African American History and Culture Museum in DC, and Rev. Darryl! Moch led us in reflection during and after the tour.

In May we co-sponsored with Women’s Ministry a visit to the Frederick Douglass House, which was attended by about 15 people. Later that month, we co-sponsored a Book Club collaboration with Women’s Ministry to read the Rev. Art Cribbs’ book, Hollywatts. Rev. Cribbs was in attendance via Zoom to discuss the book with the 15 or so people who attended.

In June, our Antiracism ministry co-sponsored, with our Open and Affirming Ministry, a “Blessing of the Banned Books” during our June 16 worship service. Just a few days later we observed Juneteenth by learning some of its history, demonstrating on the Little River Turnpike with Black Lives Matter and Juneteenth signs, and concluding with a reading of the emancipation proclamation and words from our contemporaries. On June 29th, a small group marched in the Poor People’s March on Washington.

In July, we welcomed about 100 people to our sanctuary for a discussion of A Place Called Ilda with the author himself, Tom Shoop. In July, Gail Perry began writing weekly Antiracism Vocabulary words and explanations for our congregation, which have been posted in the bulletin since then. This quiet work of bite-sized education has been an important addition to our weekly worship.

In August, we held An Afternoon at the Movies, featuring films that educate and raise awareness of American racism, past and present. About 10 people were in attendance, and were led in small group discussions after the films were shown.

In September, we observed Faith and Democracy Sunday and began a season of 40 days of prayer for our country and its citizens leading up to the presidential election.

In October, our antiracism ministry offered a workshop called Race Matters: Where do we fit in?, which was attended by about 25 people. The Rev. Darryl! Moch provided introductory comments, followed by a video about White privilege, and facilitated small group discussions that applied this learning to our own lives.

In November, Rev. Drew Nettinga led a group in discussion with Delegate Vivian Watts, where we learned how best to engage with our elected officials in order to move the needle on antiracism efforts.

2025

On January 19, we celebrated, remembered and honored the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King’s life and legacy in worship.

On February 2, Meg Tucillo led us in a presentation on micro aggression helping us identify instances of micro aggression when they arise and learning how to respond appropriately.

Later in February, the Team had a conversation with the Rev. Vivian Jackson about Little River’s participation in two programs offered by the Potomac Association/Central Atlantic Conference - a Racial Audit, or a Journey Toward Confronting White Supremacy and Creating a White-Supremacy Free Zone. We learned the difference between the two programs, the financial cost to the church and the number of people from the church who would need to be involved in order for either program to be successful. Following debrief and discussion of our time with Vivian, the Team came to the conclusion that Little River is not at present ready to participate in either program given the time involved and the participation expected of church members.

In April, as part of the restructuring of Sunday morning to include educational opportunities, the Team offered (April 27-June1), a small group session on the “Fifth Stream” of the United Church of Christ, the Afro-Christian religious traditions that have nurtured the roots of the UCC and which continue to influence our denomination’s present and future, using as our primary resource The Afro-Christian Convention, edited by the UCC’s the Rev. Dr. Yvonne Delk.

On June 15, the Team led Sunday worship to celebrate the significance and ongoing legacy of Juneteenth and on the 19th, a group of church members and friends gathered at the enslaved persons’ gravesite to honor and remember them, then moving on to a joyful demonstration by the church sign on Little River Turnpike. Representatives from the Sikh Foundation of Virginia and Ravenswood Baptist Church joined in the celebration.

That same month, Karen Flann, and other Team members organized after-church luncheons at several African-owned-themed restaurants in the neighborhood.

On July 20, author Marion Dobbins shared a presentation on her new book The Lost Communities of Merrifield, the Pines and Williamstown to members of Little River and the wider community.

From June 22-August 11, and from September 28-October 19, the Team facilitated additional small group Sunday morning sessions focusing on readings from African-American theologians, historians and writers on a variety of subjects.

Thanks to seed money from Nancy Wentworth, the Team decided to purchase a bench that will be placed at the enslaved persons’ gravesite. A plaque attached to the bench will say, “In remembrance of the enslaved people who lived, labored and died on this land.”

Thanks to research by Joanne Zellers, the Team learned about the work of the Fairfax Chapter of the NAACP. In 2026, we plan to recommend to the Endowment Committee spend some of the church’s endowment funds to support their important work.

2026 (through June)

On January 18, Martin Luther King, Jr. Sunday, we celebrated the life and ministry of Dr. King using passages from his last sermon, preached in Memphis, TN, the evening before his murder.

In June, our focus will start with a celebration of Juneteenth. First, on June 19, we’ll remember that day in 1865 which commemorates the effective end of slavery in the United States. Next, on June 21, plans are being developed to celebrate Juneteenth in worship with special guest Pat Jackson, Chair of the Religious Affairs Committee of the Fairfax Chapter of the NAACP.

On Saturday June 27, the Open and Affirming Ministry, Racial Justice Ministry, and Women’s Ministry will be offering a short presentation on banned books with speaker Dr. Dorri C. Scott. Ater a coffee break, there will be a brief description of the process FCPS uses for challenged books. The last portion will be a “come as you are” book discussion of All Boys Aren’t Blue, with passages from the book onscreen. The book is suggested for young adults between the ages of 16-18. Participants will be able to contribute to the conversation whether they’ve read the book or not.