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Anti Racism Team
For the past five years, the St. Matthew’s Anti-Racism Team (SMART) has helped our church grow in understanding, compassion, and action. They believe that fairness and inclusion are part of following God’s call, and they offer ways to learn together about anti-racism, justice, and caring for all people.
SMART also helped update St. Matthew’s welcome statement to reflect our full support of being an anti-racist and LGBTQIA+ affirming church. With each new activity, they invite us to love boldly, seek justice, and follow God with open hearts.
In the summer of 2026, the team took a much-needed sabbatical to rest, listen for God’s voice, and prepare for the year ahead.
Looking for Anti-Racism Resources?
Anti-racism is part of the holy work of loving our neighbors and seeking God’s justice. This is lifelong learning: listening, reflecting, unlearning, and practicing new ways of seeing and serving.
Choose one doorway into the work
No one has to begin in the same place. These ELCA resource lists offer different starting points for learning, listening, and reflection.
RESOURCE LIST
Wade in the Water
A place to begin if you are new to anti-racism learning, or want a thoughtful first step
Sample resources:
Movie: Hidden Figures (2016)
TedTalk: Jay Smooth - How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Discussing Race
NPR Podcast:
Codeswitch
RESOURCE LIST
Lift Every Voice and Sing
A place to continue, with more stories, voices, and history.
Sample resources:
Movie: BlacKKKlansman (2018)
Blog post: Race, trust and friendship (6 min read)
YouTube: Deconstructing White Privilege with Dr. Robin DiAngelo (20 min)
RESOURCE LIST
Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone
A place to go deeper when you are ready for more challenging reflection
Sample resources:
