Adult Christian Formation - The Baptismal Covenant

​Each Wednesday in August, 2020, we studied one of the Promises in the Baptismal Covenant and looked at how these promises are lived out in our daily life.  The class series included a special discussion of how these promises can help us confront racism. 

Session 1 - August 5
​​“Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?” 

​Further Reflections:
When you reaffirm this Promise, consider how it relates to your own experience(s) of systemic racism.
  • What have we left done or undone regarding racial justice and healing?
  • How do we repent of our own contributions to racism through white privilege? 
Click here to view the Chat Transcript for this session.

Session 2 - August 12
"Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?"

Further Reflections:
​As we strive to embrace the diversity of the human family of God, it helps to have a positive vision or dream toward which you are moving.
  • Have you ever experienced something that looked or felt like
    ​“Beloved Community”?
  • How could you speak publicly about your own experiences with race and racism and about your own dream of a healed, Beloved Community?
The class begins approximately 30 seconds into the video.
Click here to view the Chat Transcript for this session.

Session 3 - August 19
​"Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?"

Opening Prayer:
“Look with pity, O heavenly Father, upon the people in this land who live with injustice, terror, disease, and death as their constant companions. Have mercy upon us. Help us to eliminate our cruelty to these our neighbors. Strengthen those who spend their lives establishing equal protection of the law and equal opportunities for all. And grant that every one of us may enjoy a fair portion of the riches of this land; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” (BCP 826)
Further Reflections:
As we strive to embrace the diversity of the human family of God, it helps to have a positive vision or dream toward which you are moving.
  • ​How will we grow as reconcilers, healers, and justice-bearers?
  • How will we actively grow relationship across dividing walls and seek Christ in the other?
The class begins 1 minute, 15 seconds into the video...
​Click here to view the Chat Transcript for this session.

Session 4 - August 26
“Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?”

Opening Prayer:
“Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart, that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen”. BCP 823
Further Reflection:
Living into the Great Commandment invites us to embrace the most vulnerable people in our communities as beloved neighbors.
  • What institutions and systems are broken?
  • How could you use your insights, assets, and relationships for the sake of justice-making and healing? 
Click here to view the Chat Transcript for this session.