Discussion guide for September 2024 issue

Breaking the Miller Cycle by Jermaine Ross-Allam

Questions:

1. What is your understanding of the “Miller Cycle?”
2. How would you respond to this question stated by Kelly Miller, “Are the energies of the American people so focalized upon material values that the moral sense has become atrophied?”
3. What insights have you gained regarding the PC(USA)’s commitment to reparation and repair of past injustices toward African Americans and Indigenous people?
4. The author, the inaugural director of the PC(USA)’s Center of Historical Harms, describes some
   of the priorities of the Center. Which priorities do you affirm? Which priorities do you have questions about?

The case for Black racial repair in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) by William Yoo

Questions:

1. What are some of your affirmations and questions regarding the author’s analysis of the harms done to Black churches, pastors, lay leaders and parishioners by White supremacy in the past as well as in the present?
2. How can we acknowledge the blemishes on the history of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) caused by White supremacy and at the same time move forward in repairing the harms that have been inflicted on Black churches, pastors and church members?
3. In addition to the Bible, we Presbyterians have a Book of Order and a Book of Confessions. How might these resources inform our response to the call for reparation and repair?
4. The author offers several answers to the question, “So what does Black racial repair in the PC(USA) entail?” What do you think of his answers? What answers to the question would you add?

Repairing historic wrongs by Gregg Brekke

Questions:

1. What are your impressions of what First Presbyterian Church of Lansing, Michigan, and the Justice League of Greater Lansing have accomplished in a relatively short period of time?
2. What do you think may have been the catalyst that moved the church and the Justice League to move from identifying needs to engaging in action?
3. Make a list of the many actions of the church and the Justice League. Which ones do you think are most commendable? Which do you think will have the most impact on repairing historic wrongs? Which do you think are repeatable in other communities?
4. What have you learned from this article that may have relevance to your church’s mission in your community?

Reparations, and repairing the breach by Paul Timothy Roberts, Sr. and Dartinia Hull

Questions:

1. Have there been any conversations in your church or community about the topic of reparations and repair? If so, what prompted the conversations? What were the results of the conversations, if any?
2. The subject of White supremacy is mentioned several times by Dr. Roberts. How would you define White supremacy? What are some examples of White supremacy you are aware of?
3. What do you see as the major resistances to discussing and acting on efforts for reparations and repair in the U.S. or in your community, or in your church?
4. Reread the paragraph that begins, “I believe we are suffering the predictable consequences of centuries of White supremacist practices.” What do you perceive to be some of the consequences of White supremacist practices?
5. What are some possible grassroots actions your church might be able to initiate and/or support in your community toward reparations and repair for harms done to African Americans and Indigenous people?

We cannot ‘policy’ our way into relationships by Larissa Kwong Abazia

Questions:

1. How would you describe the main point of the author’s presentation?
2. What do you think the author means by her statement that begins, ”Or the decades-long desire of mainline Protestant denominations … ”?
3. The author lists six questions at the end of the article. Which question do you think is most important to consider?
4. Which of the questions would be worth discussing among the leadership of your church?