By Geraud Brumfield

Back in June, for the last 3 Thursdays, over 90 men and women from First Pres gathered via Zoom to watch and discuss a series of movies as a part of our Shifting Ground series. The series hoped to help start the conversation about anti-racism using movies as the vehicle within our church. Here are few reflections from men and women from our congregation:


Walter Saul says:
“The Shifting Ground Series has been one of the most difficult and exciting events in or out of church in which I have participated in decades. It has been like a funnel: in Frozen 2 having to reckon with the distrust and prejudice of people of one nation for another, confronting our own ugly history in the USA of racial hatred, so often masked in the “piety” of old-time religion in Selma, and dealing with (alas) present-day realities in Just Mercy. It is daunting to realize that, due to white privilege, I can put these harsh truths aside and ignore them, but my African-American sisters and brothers must constantly live with these realities which we have forced upon them in the last 401 years.

I am now examining my roots as a believer much more critically and completely reevaluating what it means to be a follower of the Lamb. It is so encouraging to see sisters and brothers in Jesus Christ hold on to Him and give Him praise and glory for every victory they notch on the narrow and difficult path to equal rights and equality in all dimensions. Perhaps the most encouraging element of the discussions is to see the linings of redemption on the clouds of hatred and violence, to see even the most violent and hateful people change for the good, and to see 140 persons wrongfully placed on death row who were finally released and even had all charges dismissed. These are things only the Lord of the Exodus and of the Cross and empty grave can accomplish, and yet He invites us to share the work. I am praying for new ways to receive His invitation in my life and work. “


Daphne Saul Says:
“We are indeed living in a time when the ground seems to be shifting beneath our feet, and I loved the way this series helped us to pay attention to what is important. I found that my own “shifting ground” moved from patting myself on the back as a white person to confession of my sin of, well, so much willful ignorance. It would be easy to tell myself that I’ve been aware of all that people of color have endured. After all, my parents brought me up to love all people, regardless of their background. And they lived that virtue as best as they could in North Carolina in the 20th Century. And yet, in spite of all of this, the three movies opened my eyes to how often I have been insulated from the horrors that were going on all around me.

As a white person, I am able to connect or disconnect when I hear about persecution here in the United States. I can choose not to read about people being sentenced to death row unjustly, or worse yet, being beaten or killed for trivial reasons, or even no reason at all. I can do all of this and it won’t affect me at all. So, the films opened my eyes to a new responsibility — to stop closing my eyes to these stories, and to open my mouth instead.”


Others like Melissa Murray were thankful for the series because it gave her a chance to talk to her children about heavy topics and themes. 
Let’s be clear, this series was not created to cause shame or guilt, honestly, those are not a part of the Kingdom of God. It was to give us space to become aware of our role in the current climate of our country. It gave us the opportunity to walk into the uncomfortable spaces of our faith and begin to declare hope where it feels so hopeless for many around us. In the next few months, we will offer other opportunities for us to continue to figure out what it means for us to join Christ in bringing heaven to earth.

Lastly, I want to thank everyone who helped to make this happen.
Gerre Brenneman for her encouragement and the small group leaders: Meagan Bergem, Rocio Claros, Sarah Ellis, Susannah Ellis, Jamie and Mindy Franklin, John Goodell, Kollin Grunberg, Elizabeth and Jeff Rooney, Shiela Skibbie and Lisa Tauszik. 
Glad we are on this journey together!