The Small but Important Work of Talking in Rooms

Two years ago my husband Brad and I received an invitation from the Bishop of our Nebraska Lutheran Synod to join an anti-racism committee. Honestly, I couldn’t have imagined a more unappealing idea at the time. Discussing racism with the Bishop and a bunch of church people, all of whom were strangers, sounded like a decidedly uncomfortable endeavor – one I frankly wanted no part of.

Then again, who says no to the Bishop? Not me, evidently. Not Brad either.

At the first meeting we sat with 20 or so ot...