Richmond Pledge to End Racism

Author: Gretchen

  • Virtual Pledge Workshop Registration Now Open!

    Virtual Pledge Workshop Registration Now Open!

    We are offering the first-ever virtual version of our 12-hour Living the Pledge Workshop, taking place via Zoom on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:30pm starting August 12 and running through September 23 (we’ll take September 2 off).

    Each week participants will be asked to prepare by reading articles and watching videos that cover the major topics of the module.  Participants will be assigned to a small group that will meet each week as part of the two-hour session. NOTE: Each participant from a household will need to register separately AND will need their own computer or large tablet with an enabled web camera to fully participate in the small group work. Sessions will also include large group presentations and conversation.

    Space is limited.  Should the workshop fill up, we will maintain a waiting list and those on it will be first in line to register for the next offering.

    There will also be an optional session on the evening of August 5 to help folks familiarize themselves with Zoom and Mentimeter, an interactive presentation software accessed via a web browser window.  We will use Mentimeter throughout the various sessions to help us share insights with one another and build community. More details to follow.

    Hope you will help us spread the word and make plans to join us!

    Learn more and register.

  • Have you heard about the workshop?

    Have you heard about the workshop?

    At a moving service on December 7, 2014, which proclaimed that Black Lives Matter, First UU of Richmond began a movement. One hundred ninety-two (192) people signed the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Richmond Pledge (www.richmondpledge.org). Since then, many more have signed to be part of this movement to confront racism and prejudice wherever we see it, in ourselves, in others, in our congregations, and in our community. In order to make the pledge something that becomes an integral part of our lives, we have designed a workshop for signers of the pledge to reflect, to learn, and to practice how to develop and maintain this commitment.

    Find out more about the Workshop!

  • The Richmond Pledge

    The Richmond Pledge

    Collecting pledges (2)As part of its response to issues brought to light in 2014 of the inequity of treatment of African Americans by the criminal justice system, members and friends of First Unitarian Universalist Church of Richmond held numerous discussions about what they could do to address these issues in our community.

    Recognizing that change starts with the individual, on December 7, 2014, First Unitarian Universalist (UU) held a service during which people were to sign a Richmond version of the Birmingham Pledge. More than 200 people signed the pledge that Sunday, and more have signed it since.

    With the 50th anniversary of the Selma, Alabama voting rights on the horizon, church members were reminded of the example of all faith leaders who rallied to the Rev. Dr. M.L. King’s call. Can faith communities take the lead to heal the enduring scars of racism in our community today? First UU decided to reach out to other religious communities and ask: “Will you take the pledge?”

    If you’d like to learn more about how you can incorporate the Richmond Pledge into your own life, register for the Fall 2015 two day workshop.

    Learn more and register for the Living the Pledge Workshop

  • Help to end racism one person at a time!

    Help to end racism one person at a time!

    The Birmingham Pledge is a grassroots effort, developed in Birmingham, Alabama, to recognize the worth of every individual, by making a personal, daily commitment to remove prejudice from our own lives and to treat all people with dignity and respect.

    As citizens of the Greater Richmond area, we have an opportunity to commit ourselves to eliminating racism and prejudice in our hearts, in our community, and in our world by signing THE RICHMOND PLEDGE TO END RACISM, a modified version of the Birmingham Pledge.