Process

Through small group conversations over a meal, we will address the racial tension directly and with compassion. We will have orientation sessions for those who will be participating in the feasts/conversations. We will provide questions for conversation during the meal. We will continue to learn through the process, gathering summaries from those who participate. As we hear these stories, we will continue to develop the plan for equipping others who will participate.

The dominant ethos of the conversation is for each person to embrace about all others at the table that "You Matter To Me."

Each small group (immersion team) will have:

  1. Two church representatives (each one from churches with different ethnic backgrounds)

  2. Two representatives from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department

  3. Two to Four youth representatives (Ages 13 - 25)

    • Two youth representatives if the youths are ages 19-25

    • Four youth representatives if the youths are ages 13-18

 

The representatives from the churches will meet with one another prior to the first meal for conversation and prayer. If the youths need transportation to the meal, the church representatives will transport the youths together.

The churches will sponsor one meal per month for each immersion team for 4 months. Each immersion team will join with other immersion teams that also met during that quarter for a larger gathering and celebration. The members of the immersion team are encouraged to communicate with each other outside of the meals.

The primary focus of the first meal will be relationship-building with the conversation centered around who each person is. The subsequent meals will have more directed conversations. After each meal/conversation, the church representatives will debrief and submit a brief report for a collaborative report at the quarterly gathering and/or to improve the process.

At the quarterly gathering, we will share stories that emerged from the conversations that may be helpful for the larger community. We will also have some friendly competition among immersion groups. We will learn from those who participated about how to best prepare those who will be participating in the next quarter.  

Suggested Covenant:

  • The table is a safe space - What we share at the table is confidential. General information about the conversation will be shared, but nothing private, specific, and/or personal.

  • Everyone has everyone else's best interest in heart.

  • No one has all the answers.

  • Everyone has some answers/experiences.

  • We won't solve all of the world's problems over one meal, or series of meals.

  • We understand that it's complicated.

Process/Facilitation:

"We understand ourselves and our world by means of story. Our personal or self story holds together the past, present, and future. Our memories come to us in stories. And in the present moment we extend that story. That unfolding story of past and present takes us into the future...Story is our access to reality..." Richard L. Hester & Kelli Walker-Jones Know Your Story and Lead with It

  • Focus on experiences/story sharing.

  • Use mock scenarios, case studies, role plays and practical application.

  • Use technology (videos, social media, etc.).

  • Have a definite begin and end time (90 minutes).

  • Embrace healthy constructive conflict.

  • Establish a "parking lot" for remarks that have the potential to derail the current conversation.

  • Avoid lecturing or instructing.

Table Conversations:

  • 1st Meal Dominant Theme: Self-Identity.

  • 2nd Meal Dominant Theme: Social Engagement.

  • 3rd Meal Dominant Theme: Implicit Biases.

  • 4th Meal Dominant Theme: Transformed World.