Reconciliation Mission is the Disciples of Christ 39-year witness to racial justice and reconciliation. Called into being in 1965, this ministry has developed and grown deeper. Originally constituted as a grant making fund, today Reconciliation Mission gives oversight to the denomination's anti-racism/pro-reconciliation initiative called Many Members, One Table. Reconciliation is funded solely by the Reconciliation Mission offering collected each fall. It receives 50 percent of all funds collected by the regions. Its mission is to nurture the wholeness of the church by dismantling systemic racism and other oppressive structures towards becoming a church that demonstrates True Community, Deep Christian Spirituality and a Passion for Justice. This ministry is accomplished through intentional organizing, education, and advocacy.
FACILITATORS
Martha Herrin is a teacher and lay church leader residing in Stewardson, Illinois. She received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Oakland City University, Oakland City, Indiana, and her Master of Arts from the University of Missouri in Kansas City. Martha has taught in Indiana, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, and Illinois. She is co-moderator of the Anti-Racism Team of the Christian Church in Illinois and Wisconsin and one of four Core Organizer/Trainers for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Anti-Racism/Pro-Reconciliation Initiative. Martha is a member of Marshall Avenue Christian Church in Mattoon, IL. She married Burley Herrin, a Disciples minister, in 1965. They have three children, Jeffrey Herrin, Jennifer Dillon, and Deborah Hawkins and five grandchildren, Hannah, Gavin, Bolt, Storm, and Rachel.
Marcus Leathers grew up in Rocky Mount, N.C. He earned his M. Div. from LTS In 1993 and holds a B.A. in Chemistry from North Carolina State University in 1990. He has been married to Tammi Michelle Coleman Leathers of Charlotte, N.C. for 14 years. Together they have one daughter Madison who is ten and one son Maxwell who is five. Currently, Marcus is the pastor of Shepherd Park Christian Church in Washington, D.C. and one of four Core Organizer/Trainers for the Disciples of Christ Ant-Racism/Pro-Reconciliation Initiative. Marcus also served ministries at Midway Church of Christ in North Tazewell, VA and Michigan Park Christian Church of Washington, D.C.
SESSIONS WILL INCLUDE:
- Defining Racism
- Individual Racism
- Institutional Racism
- Cultural Racism
- White Cultural Identity
- Dismantling Racism - Next Steps
