Bible Study
Contemplative Action Circles on Dismantling White Supremacy
Six Weeks, Thursdays October 5 through November 9 from 6:30-8:30pm
The OCBC Contemplative Action Circles offer small groups of participants an intimate setting to pray, reflect, and learn from each other about racism in our lives. They build on the racial justice and education work the congregation did last year, but participation in last year’s activities is not necessary. Because we hope these circles will allow each of us to deepen our understanding of racism and our ability to confront it, we encourage you to commit to attending all six sessions of their group, though it is not a requirement.
Each Circle will be structured as follows:
Shared Meal, 6:30-7:00
This is an important time for fellowship to be organized by each Circle.
Contemplative Time, 7:00-7:15
Each session will begin with a careful reading of a short passage from a variety of possible sources, such as the Bible, other faith traditions, and readings related to race. This will be followed by a few quiet moments of prayer and meditation.
Storytelling & Resonance, 7:15-7:30
Group members will take turns presenting something for the group to reflect on and discuss. This might be a discussion of the passage, a personal experience related to race and their feelings about it, a question they have for the group, or a challenge they have been grappling with. This is followed by a period of active listening. The first session will be a time of organizing the Circle, discussing how the group wants to use its time, signing up for times to bring the meal and/or lead the story.
Discussion, 8:00-8:25
Time for discussing the story told, role playing ways to handle the situation, or other related activities.
Closing prayer, 8:25-8:30
Please sign up to attend one of the three available Circles by e-mailing the facilitator:
Circle 1 Old Cambridge Baptist Church Chapel, Led by Cody Sanders and Naro Pongen
Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Circle 2 Leslie Hergert’s home, 9 Saint James Ave, Somerville, Led by Leslie Hergert
Between Harvard and Porter Squares, short walk from Porter or Davis T stations. Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Circle 3 Maureen Power & Doug Koch’s home, 11 Holmes St., Cambridge, Led by Maureen and Doug. Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Six Weeks, Thursdays October 5 through November 9 from 6:30-8:30pm
The OCBC Contemplative Action Circles offer small groups of participants an intimate setting to pray, reflect, and learn from each other about racism in our lives. They build on the racial justice and education work the congregation did last year, but participation in last year’s activities is not necessary. Because we hope these circles will allow each of us to deepen our understanding of racism and our ability to confront it, we encourage you to commit to attending all six sessions of their group, though it is not a requirement.
Each Circle will be structured as follows:
Shared Meal, 6:30-7:00
This is an important time for fellowship to be organized by each Circle.
Contemplative Time, 7:00-7:15
Each session will begin with a careful reading of a short passage from a variety of possible sources, such as the Bible, other faith traditions, and readings related to race. This will be followed by a few quiet moments of prayer and meditation.
Storytelling & Resonance, 7:15-7:30
Group members will take turns presenting something for the group to reflect on and discuss. This might be a discussion of the passage, a personal experience related to race and their feelings about it, a question they have for the group, or a challenge they have been grappling with. This is followed by a period of active listening. The first session will be a time of organizing the Circle, discussing how the group wants to use its time, signing up for times to bring the meal and/or lead the story.
Discussion, 8:00-8:25
Time for discussing the story told, role playing ways to handle the situation, or other related activities.
Closing prayer, 8:25-8:30
Please sign up to attend one of the three available Circles by e-mailing the facilitator:
Circle 1 Old Cambridge Baptist Church Chapel, Led by Cody Sanders and Naro Pongen
Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Circle 2 Leslie Hergert’s home, 9 Saint James Ave, Somerville, Led by Leslie Hergert
Between Harvard and Porter Squares, short walk from Porter or Davis T stations. Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Circle 3 Maureen Power & Doug Koch’s home, 11 Holmes St., Cambridge, Led by Maureen and Doug. Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.