Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North

Traces of the Trade:
A Story from the Deep North

A powerful documentary film on the North’s role in slavery, white privilege, and how faith communities can take the lead in truth telling and reconciliation.

Airing soon! PBS broadcast on acclaimed P.O.V. series is June 24th at 10pm, but check your local listing as days and times may vary.

HOW CAN CONGREGATIONS RESPOND?
1. Tune in! Check your local PBS station listings for exact dates and times, spread the word, and gather a group at your church or home to watch the film together.
2. Start the conversation. With your community, discuss what you’ve seen together. If the film airs too late for a gathering that night (some stations are showing at 10pm), meet the next night or soon after, while the film is still fresh in everyone’s minds.
3. Preach it. Use the film to preach about the issues it raises with your congregation in worship. As a denomination, what are our own histories in relation to slavery, racism and economic injustice? How are we called to respond together?

RESOURCES FOR FAITH COMMUNITIES
Visit www.tracesofthetrade.org and http://www.pbs.org/pov/traces to download a discussion guide for small groups, available by time of broadcast, as well as specific resources for people of faith, including a discussion guide from the Unitarian Universalist Association.

Learn more about actions that churches are taking to address their own legacies of slavery and the ongoing challenges of racism:
Episcopal Church
Unitarian Universalists

Some anti-racism and racial reconciliation programs:
Mennonite Central Committee
United Church of Christ
United Methodist Church
Presbyterian Church USA
Episcopal Church
Unitarian Universalist Association
Canadian Council of Churches (with links to member church sites)