Racial Justice Ministry

I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.  
John 13:34


The greatest commandment is to love God and love our neighbors as ourselves. But given Christianity’s past and continued participation in racism over the centuries, we have not loved all of our neighbors. Not by a long shot.

However, we can seek repentance as we commit to a new way to be. For us, this Racial Justice Endowment is an important step in that direction. 

The tragic nature of racial injustice underscores the important work of local organizations, who have been serving our community for years, if not decades. It's our hope that others will join us by contributing to the endowment, which we created with St. Paul United Methodist Church to support efforts to dismantle systemic racism that unfairly limits opportunities for people of color throughout our region. - Rev. Trudy Robinson

How We Are Making a Difference

Racial Justice Endowment

The Racial Justice Endowment was established in 2020 as an act of conscience, conviction, and confession for us as a Christian community. The church hasn’t been as present in this work in the past, but we are here to follow and support with our financial resources, our service, and our voices. We believe deeply in generosity and sharing of all the resources that have been entrusted to us, and we seek to serve our community in a new way of peace and solidarity. For questions, contact Jason Tucker

Contribute to the Racial Justice Endowment



Racial Justice Grants

The Racial Justice Grant Committee (RJGC) will consider organizations whose work directly benefits any or all Black, Indigenous and other People of Color in San Diego County. Each fall, grants from the Racial Justice Endowment will be awarded to San Diego County nonprofit organizations that:

  1. Serve primarily People of Color and/or
  2. Are working to dismantle systemic racism in the San Diego Community.

Learn more about the Grants

 

Announcing THE 2023/24 GRANTEES 

We're excited to announce the 2023/24 Grantees! Join us in thanking Rise Up Industries, Racial Justice Coalition of San Diego, and Epiphany Women in Focus for their ongoing contributions to our community. Please visit our announcement page for details about these grant recipients, or watch the video from our Feb. 11 service below.

Learn About 2023/24 Grantees

MEET THE 2022/23 GRANTEES 

Presentation made during Sunday 2/5/23 worship in Trotter Chapel.

 


Learning about Racial Justice

21 Days of Hope” is a journey through scripture, prayer, and resources that can move those of us who are white toward a closer understanding of racism in our country and the experience of our black and brown brothers and sisters.

 

Book Resources

These books have been part of the church's learning to date.  Watch for new studies and additional books to emerge throughout the coming year.

 

listen to Pastor's Weekly Bible Study

The Church and Racism - Pastor's Bible Study Archive 

Watch the Racial Justice Sermon Series: "21 days of hope"

Sermon Archive

 


Join Others

First Church invites those who want to be held accountable to continued study, prayer and action specifically around racism, to join a small group of eight for confidential sharing. If you would like to be part of a covenant group focused on becoming anti-racist, email Rev. Trudy