“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed if it is not faced.”
The congregation will read Waking Up White: And Finding Myself in the Story of Race by Debby Irving this winter. Irving’s mission is to transform confusion and anxiety about racial injustice into curiosity and action.
Why are we talking about race, you might wonder. Jesus commands us to “love one another” (John 13:34). We have to face the truth that racism continues in our country and in our community and that is not love. As part of a larger La Crosse-area effort to develop a healthier multicultural community, there are many organizations, school districts, governmental agencies reading this book as well. Later in 2020, it will be a La Crosse library-based community read.
Copies of the book are available in the church office now and will be available before and after worship starting Dec. 11; the cost is $10. You are encouraged to start reading after Epiphany (Jan. 6), making notes, keeping a journal even and then join a small group during Lent for discussion.
Each day, beginning January 5, the First Lutheran Facebook page will host an ongoing thread of conversation based on that day’s readings. Check in regularly! Sign up for a small group for weekly face to face conversations throughout Lent (the week of Feb. 26 through the week of Mar. 29). Easter is April 12. We’ll see how God sends us forth from these conversations into a season of resurrection!
For the latest on worship services, devotions and activities, click here to add our Lent Devotion Calendar to your calendar app.
Upcoming Readings
Preparing for participation in small groups during Lent beginning the week of February 23.
Week 1: Jan. 5–11
Sunday, January 5: Introduction
Monday, January 6: Chapter 1: What Wasn’t Said
Tuesday, January 7: Chapter 2: Family Values
Wednesday, January 8: Chapter 3: Race Versus Class
Thursday, January 9: Chapter 4: Optimism
Friday, January 10: Chapter 5: Within the Walls
Week 2: Jan. 12–18
Sunday, January 12: Chapter 6: From Confusion to Shock
Monday, January 13: Chapter 7: The GI Bill
Tuesday, January 14: Chapter 8: Racial Categories
Wednesday, January 15: Chapter 9: White Superiority
Thursday, January 16: Chapter 10: The Melting Pot
Friday, January 17: Chapter 11: Headwinds and Tailwinds
Week 3: Jan. 19–25
Sunday, January 19: Chapter 12: Icebergs + Chapter 13: Invisibility
Monday, January 20: Chapter 14: Zap!
Tuesday, January 21: Chapter 15: The Whole Story
Wednesday, January 22: Chapter 16: Logos and Stereotypes
Thursday, January 23: Chapter 17: My Good People
Friday, January 24: Chapter 18: Color-Blind + Chapter 19: My Good Luck
Saturday, January 25: Chapter 20: My Robin Hood Syndrome
Week 4: Jan. 26–Feb. 1
Sunday, January 26: Chapter 21: Straddling Two Worlds
Monday, January 27: Chapter 22: Why Do I Always End Up With White People?
Tuesday, January 28: Chapter 23: Diversity Training
Wednesday, January 29: Chapter 24: Everyone is Different; Everyone Belongs
Thursday, January 30: Chapter 25: Belonging
Friday, January 31: Chapter 26: Surviving vs Thriving, + Chapter 27: Living Into Expectations
Saturday, February 1: Chapter 28: I Am the Elephant
Week 5: Feb. 2–8
Sunday, February 2: Chapter 29: Intent and Impact
Monday, February 3: Chapter 30: Feelings and the Culture of Niceness
Tuesday, February 4: Chapter 31: Courageous Conversations
Wednesday, February 5: Chapter 32: Getting Over Myself
Thursday, February 6: Chapter 33: Perception and Fear
Week 6: Feb. 9–15
Sunday, February 9: Chapter 34: Becoming Multicultural
Monday, February 10: Chapter 35: If Only You’d Be More Like Me
Tuesday, February 11: Chapter 36: The Dominant White Culture
Wednesday, February 12: Chapter 37: Boxes and Ladders
Thursday, February 13: Chapter 38: The Rugged Individual
Friday, February 14: Chapter 39: Equality Starts with Equity
Saturday, February 15: Chapter 40: Bull in a China Shop
Week 7: Feb. 16–22
Sunday, February 16: Chapter 41: From Bystander to Ally
Monday, February 17: Chapter 42: Solidarity and Accountability
Tuesday, February 18: Chapter 43: From Tolerance to Engagement
Wednesday, February 19: Chapter 44: Listening
Thursday, February 20: Chapter 45: Normalizing Race Talk
Friday, February 21: Chapter 46: Whole Again
Saturday, February 22: Tell Me What To Do!
Questions?
Have questions about the Lenten study, or about the small groups? Contact our Director of Small Group Ministry, Bridget Crave using the form below…