Building Beloved Community Through Anti-Bias/Racism, Social Justice Training

On June 6–7, nine clergy from across the Kansas-Oklahoma Conference gathered in Tulsa, OK, for a powerful two-day Anti-Racism Training. This transformative experience, led by Pastor Julia Gaughan, deepened our understanding of systemic racism and helped us explore our individual and collective roles in dismantling it.

Participants engaged in meaningful learning around the history and ongoing impact of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, including a visit to Greenwood Rising—a world-class history center honoring the legacy of the Greenwood District, once known as “Black Wall Street.” We also spent time identifying our "Antiracist Styles," equipping us with tools to sustain long-term justice work in our ministries and communities.

A heartfelt thank-you to Rev. Chris Moore for his leadership and for serving as one of our speakers, and to Fellowship Congregational Church for generously hosting the event. We were also blessed with a special visit from Noah Tabor from the United Church Funds. UCF helped fund this experience through a grant from the Brown Endowment.

The next Anti-Racism Training opportunity will take place November 13–14 in Manhattan, KS. All Authorized Ministers are strongly encouraged to attend if they have not yet completed this required training. Together, we continue the sacred work of becoming a more just, inclusive, and beloved community.

Rev. Nikki Stahl
she/her/hers
Associate Conference Minister
Kansas-Oklahoma Conference
United Church of Christ