Euro American Heritage Month - July, 2009

Vision This year marks something new at River City: July, 2009 is our very first Euro American Heritage Month! As the planning team has gathered over the past four months, we discussed vision, direction, philosophy, goals, and quite honestly, our fears associated with this project. As we met, it quickly became clear that most of us are not able to describe a healthy, well-rounded "white identity." This is significant because without whites having an understanding of their own cultural identity (both the good and the bad), it is difficult to fully participate in multi-ethnic kingdom conversation.

This realization led to the theme for this month: “Exploring white identity as part of the broader multi-ethnic conversation.” Each of the events for this month has been planned with this theme in mind. As with every heritage month at River City, there is insufficient time to address all of the individual diversity of experience and heritage in one month. We are excited though to begin this journey together. We hope you will join us. May the God of all of our cultures be pleased.

Euro American Heritage Month is part of an ongoing evolving rotation of ethnic heritage months celebrated at River City.

Vision Statement: Responding to God’s love for all people and recognizing that all people are image bearers of God, River City sponsors ethnic heritage months so we may know and love people of various cultures, gain a fuller picture of God’s multi-ethnic kingdom, and in turn grow in our love and understanding of God.

Events
Movie Night: Risk Level 2 Join us for a Friday night movie and discussion time. We will be watching clips from various comedy performances and exploring portrayals of white culture
in the media. Warning to parents: Content will be inappropriate for children. No childcare will be provided, but offsite childcare can be arranged at request.
When: Friday, July 10 @ 7:30 p.m.
Where: Eric and Shawna Schoonveld's home, 2511 W. Maypole
Contact: Kyle O'Neill, 443.983.31.05

Guest Speaker Dr. Wayne Gordon “Coach” Wayne Gordon is the founding pastor of Lawndale Community Church. In more than thirty years of urban ministry, he has been a servant leader in Chicago in the areas of community development and racial reconciliation. Coach Gordon has been a friend of River City since its earliest days, and we welcome him to come and share his heart with us.
When: Sunday, July 12 @ 11 a.m.
Where: River City, 1665 N. Mozart

Discovering White Identity in American Culture: Risk Level 2 What would you say if someone asked you to describe white identity? Stumped? Confused? You’re not alone. Most white Americans grapple with some degree of cultural identity confusion and this can be a roadblock to entering into multi-ethnic conversation. We encourage people of all ethnicities and backgrounds to come chime in on this discussion. This event is part one of a two-part discussion that will be continued on July 22. Childcare will be available if requested by Sunday, July 12.
When: Wednesday, July 15 @ 7 p.m.
Where: River City HQ, 2124 N. Milwaukee
Contact: Megan Herrold (847.571.2374) or Michael Motzko (312.545.3024) or Bill Curry (773.617.2162)

Guest Speaker Rev. Soong Chan Rah Reverend Soong Chan Rah is an assistant professor of Church Growth and Evangelism at North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago. He recently
authored the book The Next Evangelicalism: Freeing the Church from Western Cultural Captivity. We are grateful for the opportunity to hear from Reverend Rah about the changing face of American evangelicalism.
When: Sunday, July 19 @ 11 a.m.
Where: River City, 1665 N. Mozart

Unpacking White Identity in American Culture: Risk Level 3 This event is designed to be part two of the discussion of white identity in American culture; therefore, attendance at the July 15 event is required in order to take part in this event. This is an opportunity to delve deeper into the broader reality of privilege and power dynamics in a racialized U.S. society. We
will also discuss, “Where do we go from here?” Childcare will be available if requested by Sunday, July 19.
When: Wednesday, July 22 @ 7 p.m.
Where: River City Headquarters, 2124 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Contact: Megan Herrold (847.571.2374) or Michael Motzko (312.545.3024) or Bill Curry (773.617.2162)

Family Reunion: Risk Level 1 Join us in a good old-fashioned church potluck. We’ll enjoy some customary Midwestern potluck dishes, including green bean casserole and jello molds,
as well as some traditional European cuisine and some family entertainment.
When: Sunday, July 26 @ 2 p.m.
Where: River City Headquarters, 2124 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Contact: Jodi Flowers (773.420.7923)

_____________________________