Antiracism Resource Spotlight: Jubilee III and Jubilee Kids

By Sunshine Jeremiah Wolfe

image of a chalice on a rainbow scarf with a singing bowl beside it on a grey carpet.

Unitarian Universalist congregations and communities across North America have long engaged in opportunities to learn about and build anti-racist communities. Many in the Central East Region have participated in Beloved Conversations, Living the Pledge, held White Supremacy Culture Teach-Ins, attended local events on abolition and reparations, engaged in audits to learn about work their communities need to do, and voted to become 8th Principle congregations. What all of us have learned through this is that it is important to continue the work of learning and growing, whether about our own history and experiences as racially marginalized people or as white allies, accomplices, and companions. One workshop experience that helps deepen this work is Jubilee- most recently Jubilee III and Jubilee Kids.

In 1994, The Black Concerns Working Group (later The Jubilee Working Group) created the first “Creating a Jubilee World” in our congregations. Over the years, this program would grow with the wisdom and knowledge of experience and passage of time to Jubilee II and, in the last few years, Jubilee III. The program is rooted in creating common language to talk about and describe racism, to learn important history, and to develop strategies for responding and acting on what is learned in the world. From the Jubilee III description:

“Our goal and to envision the next steps in taking action.

  • To develop a shared analysis of racism and its individual, institutional, and cultural manifestations, and
  • To begin to apply this common understanding to the history, culture, and institutional structure of our society, and to envision the next steps in taking action.”

The program’s success has been clear in both its’ longevity and from the resoundingly positive feedback from participants.

Related to this program is a curriculum called Jubilee Kids. Created at the First Unitarian Church of Rochester, NY by Director of Religious Education, Sheila Schuh, the program was created in response to the children and youth voting to embrace the 8th Principle. It offers worship, education, and social action efforts that help children, youth, and their families learn more about being actively anti-racist in their lives and congregation.

The impact of all of these programs allows for the continuing transformation of our congregations, communities, and Unitarian Universalism in ways that help us be radically inclusive beloved communities.

image of a chalice with a rainbow scarf around it. Words say: Jubilee 3 Anti-racism Training. June 2-4, 2023. “If you have come to help me you are wasting your time. But if you recognize that your liberation and mine are bound up together, we can walk together.” – Lila Watson

Jubilee III will be offered June 2nd-4th online. The registration deadline is May 31st. Learn more on the event page.

To learn more, about Jubilee Kids and to purchase that curriculum visit First Unitarian Church of Rochester’s site.

About the Author

Sunshine Jeremiah Wolfe

Rev. Sunshine J. Wolfe is Congregational Field Staff for the Central East Region serving congregations in western Pennsylvania and across Ohio. Ghe hails originally from Indiana where ghe learned to sing, dance, and cause trouble- the social justice kind. Ghe is currently a member of TRUUsT...

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