The Student Center Foundation will sponsor a virtual panel discussion on “Addressing Racial Bias with a Spiritual Approach” featuring an ensemble cast of speakers on Saturday, November 7, from 10 am to 1 pm, Central time. This presentation will be hosted on Zoom and will include a panel discussion, group breakout sessions, and Q&A with the speakers. We have invited John Tyler, a teacher of Christian Science and former member of the Christian Science Board of Lectureship; Dr. Sarah Fiarman, a former school principal and teacher who is now a lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and author of several books; and Emily Smith, head of The Branch School, an accredited independent school in west Houston.
Racism and Christian Science are incompatible. So that’s it—there’s nothing to be done, right? One might have asked a similar question of Jesus who preached often about the kingdom of God and knew better than any man the power and presence of that kingdom right here on Earth. So, if God’s kingdom had already come, surely there was nothing to be done, right? Well, not exactly.
Christ Jesus showed the necessity of putting prayer into action in positive ways. In Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy puts forth a two-pronged test of all prayer demanding that we live “consistently with our prayer” (page 9). Frederick Douglass—a prominent Black abolitionist, former slave, and contemporary of Eddy’s—once said, “I prayed for freedom for twenty years, but received no answer until I prayed with my legs.”
From sports figures to politicians, people across the country are talking about racial justice. Many are holding talks and conferences, protests and vigils. I believe Christian Scientists have a unique perspective to offer. We know we are one human family, united. But more precious care and concern for every member of that family is needed.
Earlier this summer, Tony Lobl penned an editorial in the Christian Science Sentinel titled Are we consenting to equality? He wrote, “If we have seen change come to our own lives through praying . . . it’s the loving thing to do to bring this same healing prayer to bear on these wider issues.” Many are crying out for justice and further demonstration of racial equality and fairness. We encourage all readers to take a close look at Tony’s article as we work together to address these issues spiritually. We have also curated a list of other periodical articles that would be useful to review in advance.
Please email manager@concordhouse.org to RSVP for the event as this will help us better plan the group breakout sessions. Access details for the Zoom meeting are posted below.
The goal of this event will be to enlighten, empower, and engage each attendee, equipping you with the spiritual tools you need to help address racial bias within your homes and communities. We hope you will join us for this important discussion.
Recommended Reading
- Are we consenting to equality? by Tony Lobl. From the August 17, 2020 issue of the Christian Science Sentinel.
- From racial profiling to ‘You are my brother’ by Kwadjo Boaitey. From the March 7, 2011 issues of the Christian Science Sentinel.
- The antidote to systemic racism: Spiritual oneness by Kim Crooks Korinek. From the September 28, 2020 issue of the Christian Science Sentinel.
Zoom Access Details
The Student Center Foundation is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Addressing Racial Bias with a Spiritual Approach
Time: Nov 7, 2020 10:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada)Join Zoom Meeting
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Meeting ID: 884 7818 4354
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Thank you for including us (Asher Student Foundation) in your invitation. I will definitely look forward to attending and to seeing and hearing from Sarah Fiarman — a fine educator and friend.
At present our church isn’t holding services so it is my pleasure to forward to our members any information about lectures or meetings they might be interested in. Thank you for your invitation
Dear Friends,
I am so glad to hear about this Annual Meeting of the SCF! It’s been a long time since I attended one.
In the early 70s, my husband and I were the Student Center Foundation house parents in the old building, where we experienced broken glass blown inward from the Sterling Hall bombing in August 1970. (No one was hurt.) I am also a proud graduate of UW with a Master’s degree in English with teaching certificate. During my time on campus, student protests were about Vietnam, not racial issues.
But now it is 50 years later and UW has not advanced in terms of racial equity. Here are demographics that I found on the web for the student body:
White 76%
Black 2%
Hispanic 5%
Asian 6%
American Indian / Alaskan 0%
Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0%
Two or more races 3%
International 8%
Race Unknown 0%
The Mother Church does not publish its demographics, but with the exception of international diversity, I don’t imagine it’s much better than UW. I am a member of a church in Maryland that is all white. We would like to have Black members. Will the speakers address how we can “pray with our feet” on that issue?
Thank you!
Hi Lynn, we will be taking questions from the audience throughout, so I would recommend asking them your question directly on Saturday.
Will the opening comments by Sarah and Emily be available in you tube?
I would love to recommend to fellow church members on our social justice group –
Or will any of this be available for replay later?
Karen Lenke
Palo Alto CA
Unfortunately not; this session was not recorded.
The meeting ended just as I was trying to save the chat transcript. Any way I can get that?
Is there any way of getting in touch with other participants? One woman in my second breakout said she left her email in the chat, but I did not see it, thinking I could comb through later and find it.