In mid-July, 31 people from Lake Burien Presbyterian Church and community participated in a week-long pilgrimage called “The Gospel & Politics of Race” hosted by Freedom Road Pilgrimages. They traveled by bus through Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee and Missouri to dive deep into the story of the control and confinement of people of African descent on U.S. soil and the parallel construct of whiteness. From this experience, the participants created an interactive exhibit in order to bring back what they learned to the community.

“The pilgrimage was a transformational experience for all of us” says Crystal Hairston, Director of Worship Arts at Lake Burien PC.  “We wanted to honor the sacred stories we heard and the people we met on pilgrimage. We felt responsible to bring those stories back with us to share. Creating the exhibit is our way of doing that. We’re excited to host the community in this space.” 
 
The multi-media exhibit entitled, “In Our Shoes” traces the through-line of white supremacy from enslavement, through the Jim Crow era, lynchings, segregation, redlining to mass incarceration. It tells how the immense contributions of enslaved Africans and their descendants, laid the foundation of America’s economic wealth. The exhibit also notes the complicity of churches in perpetuating racism throughout this time.  “In Our Shoes” also highlights the faith, strength, creativity, and resilience of African Americans even in the face of persistent, racialized violence.

The exhibit, originally scheduled to run through the end of August 2019, has been extended through the end of October and is open Saturdays OR by appointment throughout the week.
 
Visit “In Our Shoes”
Lake Burien Presbyterian Church
15003 14th Ave SW
Burien, WA 98166
  
Extended Hours (after August 31st)
September & October 2019
**Saturdays only: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
**The exhibit can also be made available during the week by appointment only.  Contact [email protected] or call 206-242-6023. 
This PrayerBook was made available to the community in hopes that those unable to attend could walk with the participants in prayer and learn alongside them through the included resources. It also shares the various locations the participants traveled to and offers links for more information.

Lake Burien Presbyterian Church
15003 14th Ave. SW. Burien, WA 98166
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