Amos Group
Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. Amos 5:24
Quick links
The Amos Group was formed in mid-2020, as a part of CPC's mission and outreach, in response to the social unrest that intensified after the death of George Floyd in late May 2020.
The members of the Amos Group believe we are each called by God to stand up for people in God’s family -- people who have been harmed, intentionally or unintentionally, by systemic racism and by policies that have unfairly affected health and economic well-being and placed a ceiling on people’s advancement. The Amos Group is committed to help our church and our communities understand the history of racism and the laws, policies, and institutional barriers that are holding people back. In addition to seeking to understand and communicate the context and history of racism in our society, the Amos Group will help to facilitate conversations that recognize the role of White people in perpetuating those laws, policies, and barriers.
The Amos Group is committed to actively work on behalf of changes that will move our church, communities, and nation towards equity and justice for everyone. We are also committed to the hard work of identifying our own complicity in a system that privileges most of us – to do the self-examination that may identify our own racism, and to work to change ourselves.
In accordance with our statement of purpose and conviction -- “Following Christ, we stand against racism and strive for social justice” -- the Amos Group will work to accomplish its goals through study, conversation, advocacy and action.
Amos Group News
News update 9/27/22
You can Help Willowbrook Corner Coalition
You can Help Willowbrook Corner Coalition, supported by the Hinsdale Community House, offers services at the Anne M. Jeans Elementary School in Willowbrook. 87% of their students are part of minority groups, and the majority of their students test lower than state proficiency standards in English and math. They seek volunteers for after-school care between the hours of 3 and 6pm to help students with homework. This program is separate from their tutoring program, which CPC has helped with in the past. Volunteers do NOT need to be experts on any particular subject and do NOT need to commit for the full three hours. For more information, or to volunteer, click on this link.
We will share other opportunities with other organizations as they become known to us.
Please send your ideas and your comments to Gregg Morton.
Past News
You Can Help!
The Amos Group seeks to provide helpers for local organizations that support the under-served in our communities. Below are two opportunities for you to consider. Please let us know if you have chosen to help. Thanks!
Willowbrook Corner Coalition, supported by the Hinsdale Community House, offers services at Anne M. Jeans School. They seek volunteers for after-school care between the hours of 3 and 6pm to help students with homework. This program is separate from their tutoring program, which CPC has helped with in the past. Volunteers do NOT need to be experts on any particular subject. For more information, or to volunteer, click on this link.
Love INC is another place where you can make a difference. The organization is designed to be a one-stop resource to support people struggling to make ends meet or to resolve a problem. Instead of people having to go from church to church to seek help, they can call Love INC and find out where the resources are. CPC has been supporting Love INC for several decades, including providing people to answer the phones and to direct callers to resources that will meet their needs. Find our more from Ann Hamman or Joanne King, who have been helping there for many years. To volunteer or get more information, call 630.512.8665.
Statement of Support of Equity Training for District 86 staff
The Amos Group drafted a public response to the outspoken pushback against the school board and the superintendent of District 86. Session approved this response which is published on the CPC website. Read the Session approved Amos statement here.
Enlarging our network. The Amos Group is thrilled to now be connected to social justice groups in several churches in Hinsdale. We came together initially in response to the pushback against DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) training for District 86 staff. In addition to that work, we are sharing with each other what else our groups are doing. We are hoping that we can all achieve more by working together.
The Amos Lending Library is still taking donations! Many thanks to people who have contributed books so that others can read them. The Amos Group resource listing shows which materials are available. If you wish to borrow any materials, you can sign them out from the office. We are still happy to receive more books – including more copies of books we already have. If you have any to contribute, please take them to the church office with a note that they are for the Amos Group Lending Library. (Or you can send Gregg Morton an email and one of us will happily pick up your donations.)
Visit the Amos Group Social Justice page for more information on their programming and resources.
Self Study Essays by Amos Group Study Leaders
Please send your ideas and your comments to Gregg Morton.
Amos Group Resources
The Amos group has gathered resources that include books, articles, movies, TED talks, and webinars. We hope that it stimulates your growth, as it is doing with ours.
We are always adding new resources, so keep checking the resources files!
Amos Group Resources
Guest Sermon
Another thing worth checking out as you consider participating in the White Privilege groups is a sermon that was delivered at CPC on August 8 by the Rev. Stuart Barnes Jamieson. Here’s a link to the service from the CPC website. The sermon begins at about minute 18.
Amos Group Adult Ed
Fall 2021
Small Groups: We will soon be in touch with the people who have signed up for the White Privilege – Let’s Talk groups to coordinate schedules. We are excited to share this material with you! If you missed our September 30 deadline, please contact Gregg Morton. to see if there is a chance of still getting into a group.
(See above News Section for more information)
If you missed the 2020-2021 sessions, course materials and resources can be found below
Sunday, September 20, 2020
"Dialogue on Faith and Racism"
The Rev. Dr. Barbara Wilson from the Chicago Presbytery (bio here)
Participants will begin to consider the ways in which our Christian faith as Presbyterians informs our understanding of our Calling as the Church in relationship to systemic racism
Click here to watch a video for the session
Click here for lesson materials
Sunday, September 27
"Why Is It So Difficult to Talk About Racism; Racism 101"
Kris Veenbaas, Leader
Why Is It So Difficult to Talk About Racism: Participants will begin to consider the ways in which our Christian faith as Presbyterians informs our understanding of our Calling as the Church in relationship to systemic racism. Kris Veenbaas is facilitating this Sunday's discussion on "Racism 101" and "Why it is so Difficult to talk about Racism?"
Why Is It so Difficult to Talk about Racism Handout
Sunday, October 4
"A History of Racism in the United States: 1492 – 1954 "
Amy Hall, Leader
How we are wrapped into our history even if we do not mean to be and are shaped by it?
History of Racism Part 1 Handout
History of Racism Part 2 Handout
Sunday, October 11
"A History of Racism in the United States: 1954-present"
Geoff Silver, Leader
How we are wrapped into our history even if we do not mean to be and are shaped by it?
History of Racism Part 3 Handout
History of Racism Part 4 Handout
Sunday, October 18 from 10:45-11:45 am
"White Privilege and the Implications for Our Segregated Church"
Gregg Morton, Leader
What is White Privilege? We will work to unmask manifestations of white privilege in our everyday lives and discuss the impact of white privilege on people of color. Do Segregated Churches Imply Racism? Consider which is the call for the body of Christ – segregated worship or fully integrated worship
Reading Material:
"Do Segregated Churches Imply Racism?"
"White Privilege" Slide Presentation (handout version)
"Do Segregated Churches Imply Racism" Slide Presentation (handout version)
Sunday, January 17, 2021
10:45 am
"Is Affirmative Action Still Needed"
Leader: Gregg Morton
In this session, we will discuss
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What is Affirmative Action
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How does it work?
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Pros and cons of continuing the program
Reading Material:
"Is Affirmative Action Still Needed?" Handout
"Is Affirmative Action Still Needed?" Powerpoint slide show
Sunday, January 24, 2021
10:45 am
"The Bible and Racism"
Leader: Amy Hall
Reading Material:
"The Bible and Racism" Part 1 Handout
"The Bible and Racism" Part 2 Handout
Sundays, March 7, 14, 21
Amos Group presents Dr. Reggie Williams from McCormick Seminary
Let's Talk: Church, Faith and Race
Dr Williams, Associate Professor of Christian Ethics at McCormick Theological Seminary, will lead us in conversation. Click here to learn more about Dr. Williams.
(sorry, march 7 is unavailable)
March 7
Vocabulary of oppression: Problems related to race and racial oppression seem to be greater in recent years than they have been in quite some time. The language we use to describe it doesn’t help. If diagnosis determines treatment, it matters that we describe what is happening in the clearest way possible. This session will help us to understand what is happening with the language to describe the problem with an accurate diagnosis that will help enable followers of Christ to think about, and enact, solutions.
March 14
What Killed Bonhoeffer?: in 1945, the famed theologian, pastor, activist Dietrich Bonhoeffer was killed by the Nazis for his part in a resistance movement in opposition to them. The Nazi regime prized Germans who looked just like him, yet he became a traitor, vehemently opposed to them. But it was more than the Nazis who were the problem; they espoused a modern iteration of an ideology that predated them. Indeed, the ideology is not gone, but is alive today, exists in the United States, and it was in apartheid South Africa. It is what animated the Nazi wish dream for an Aryan Nation, and it is what killed Dietrich Bonhoeffer. What was it? What killed Bonhoeffer? How can we see it and work to eradicate it from our midst, today?
March 21
This class will focus on esthetics and the significance of how Jesus is portrayed in visual forms. Prepare for class by pondering what visual representations of Jesus have been important to you and why.
