Catherine Meeks

A call for unity in the face of growing dehumanization of marginalized people–from a powerful voice in the dialogue on racism today. The walk back on a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. The silence across communities as the undocumented, primarily Latino population faces attack. The grandstanding of nationalism and the intersection with white supremacy and ideas of genetic superiority. These issues are not temporary but rather exist on a continuum in the history of racism and divisiveness. Meeks, who has spent a lifetime fighting for racial justice and healing, offers collaborative strategies to fight systemic racism--together. She also addresses current cases with civil rights impact in areas such as zoning, voting, and immigration, and delivers a powerful message about the need for unity in combating these destructive decisions. This moment, Meeks argues, shows that othering is alive and well in America and a continuation of white supremacy. She also believes the United States has been complicit in continuing the destabilization of other countries and the cycles of ethnic cleansing. Within Black communities, she explains, there is a hesitance to join the conversations, but the fight is one that demands solidarity. Resistance is necessary to dispel hierarchies of human value and combat the failure of institutions. Praise for The Night is Long but Light Comes in the Morning "Readers will be challenged and changed by this moving work.” —Publishers Weekly

From the winner of The President Joseph R. Biden Lifetime Achievement Award, a spiritual guide to restoring yourself from racial trauma with moving stories of historical significance, now in paperback. In her previous work as Executive Director of the Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing, Meeks fought tirelessly to shed light on racism and provide tools and experiences to enable faith communities to work to combat it. A public speaker, expert in the media, and honored advocate of social change, she holds a unique place in the dialogue on dismantling racism. In this book, she shares powerful personal experiences that leave the reader breathless and profound insights from her lifelong journey through contemporary history and national events. She offers a much-needed meditative guide for the weary and frustrated, arguing that by looking inward and at each other clearly and with honesty, good people of all backgrounds can forge a long term and individual path to making a difference. With thoughtful direction, she takes the reader on the trajectory from self-awareness to recognition of the past to a new and individual way forward. Meditation topics include how to work through fear and rage, how stories can destroy but can also help heal, honoring your ancestors while looking toward the future, what it really means to love one another and the true meaning of social justice. "Readers will be challenged and changed by this moving work.” —Publishers Weekly

A curriculum that builds God's beloved community. Rooted in faith, this five-session formation curriculum is designed to help children in grades K-5 understand their own belovedness and the belovedness of their neighbors. Living God’s Dream is a curriculum for children built from activities designed to cultivate the practice of seeing the image of God in everyone. Encouraging children to action, service, and relationships, the curriculum helps children resist ideas that treat others as outsiders. The learner guide includes activities for children and can be taken home at the conclusion of the curriculum, where it prompts discussions within families. Developed in conjunction with the Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing and field tested in churches, Living God’s Dream is designed for use in a variety of settings, including Sunday school, schools, and Vacation Bible School.

A curriculum that builds God's beloved community. Rooted in faith, this five-session formation curriculum is designed to help children in grades K-5 understand their own belovedness and the belovedness of their neighbors. Living God’s Dream is a curriculum for children built from activities designed to cultivate the practice of seeing the image of God in everyone. Encouraging children to action, service, and relationships, the curriculum helps children resist ideas that treat others as outsiders. The leader guide includes full lesson plans with rich content and experiential learning, as well as ideas for games, skits, crafts, and snacks. It also includes suggestions for storybooks that can frame each lesson. Developed in conjunction with the Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing and field-tested in churches, Living God’s Dream is designed for use in a variety of settings, including Sunday school, schools, and Vacation Bible School.

From the winner of The President Joseph R. Biden Lifetime Achievement Award, a spiritual guide to restoring yourself from racial trauma and committing to the long work of dismantling racism. In her work as Executive Director of the Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing, Meeks has fought tirelessly to shed light on racism and provide tools and experiences to enable faith communities to work to combat it. In this new book, she shares highlights and insights from her journey and offers a much-needed meditative guide for the weary and frustrated. By looking inward and at each other clearly, she argues, good people of all backgrounds can forge a long term and individual path to making a difference. With personal stories and thoughtful direction, she takes the reader on the trajectory from self-awareness to recognition of the past to a new and individual way forward. Meditation topics include how to work through fear and rage, how stories can help heal, honoring your ancestors while looking toward the future, what it really means to love one another and the meaning of social justice.

"In Passionate for Justice, we find a compass that points us to the future, where we can each give voice and action to justice, equity, and life-giving community. Ida Wells would have had it no other way." —From the Foreword by Stacey Abrams, 2018 Democratic Nominee for Governor of Georgia Ida B. Wells was a powerful churchwoman and witness for justice and equity from 1878 to 1931. Born enslaved, her witness flowed through the struggles for justice in her lifetime, especially in the intersections of African Americans, women, and those who were poor. Her life is a profound witness for faith-based work of visionary power, resistance, and resilience for today’s world, when the forces of injustice stand in opposition to progress. These are exciting and dangerous times. Boundaries that previously seemed impenetrable are now being crossed. This book is a guide for the current state of affairs in American culture, enlivened by the historical perspective of Wells’ search for justice. The authors are an African-American woman and a child of white supremacy. Both have dedicated themselves to working, writing, and developing ministries oriented toward justice, equity, and mercy. This book can be used in all settings, but most especially in churches (pastors and other church leaders, study groups), seminaries, and universities.