Myles will share how a few books he has recently read and a professional conference [https://library.osu.edu/ideal-19] he attended early in August have informed, challenged and fired him up about First Parish Dorchester’s diversity and justice mission. In this service, Myles will ask the congregation to consider how we might live our commitment to grow along anti-racist lines and really live our mission to be a spiritual home for all those seeking cultural and theological diversity. 

Some background for this service: On Jan. 27, 2019, First Parish installed a new Black Lives Matter banner, this time on the Meetinghouse, and the congregation committed “to grow in becoming an intentionally and pro-actively anti-racist faith community through reflection and action, listening and learning …” and other activities. Since January, several members have convened a social justice group and in July, a book club met to discuss “How to Be Less Stupid About Race: On Racism, White Supremacy, and the Racial Divide” [http://www.beacon.org/How-to-Be-Less-Stupid-About-Race-P1388.aspx] by Crystal Marie Fleming.

The group is also planning circle discussions on social justice on the third Sunday of each month during Fellowship Time. While the renewed search for the next settled minister will be the focus of much of the 2019-2020 year, the congregation will also be called to participate in the discernment process on our collective social justice ministry going forward. 

See the full homily here.