Events

Sanctuary, 7-8pm (in person on 2/3 and 3/31 only) We will be reading Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson Isabel Wilkerson explores how America has been shaped by a caste system that influences people’s lives and behavior and our nation’s fate. Linking the caste systems of America, India, and Nazi Germany, Wilkerson explores eight pillars that underlie caste systems across civilizations, including divine will, bloodlines, stigma, and more. Using riveting stories about people—including Martin Luther King, Jr., baseball’s Satchel Paige, a single father and his toddler son, Wilkerson herself, and many others—she shows the ways that the insidious undertow of caste is experienced every day. She documents how the Nazis studied the racial systems in America to plan their persecution of the Jews. Finally, she points forward to ways America can move beyond the artificial and destructive separations of human divisions, toward hope in our common humanity. In February and March, the FRS Anti-Racism Team will be hosting a congregational-wide read and facilitated discussion of Caste. A Facilitated Group Discussion in Six Sessions: Monday, February 3 - In Person, 7:00 PM in the Sanctuary Sunday, February 9 - Zoom, 7:00 PM Monday, February 24 - Zoom, 7:00 PM Monday, March 3 - Zoom, 7:00 PM Monday, March 10 - Zoom, 7:00 PM Monday, March 24 - Zoom, 7:00 PM Monday, March 31 - In Person, 7:00 PM in the Sanctuary In each session we will have discussion questions that address specific sections of the book and help us better understand how we as a community can live into the 8th Principle we adopted in 2024. Books are available for purchase at the Jabberwocky Bookstore in Newburyport, to borrow at the Newburyport Library, and a small amount are available at church. If you would like to participate, but