by Artista Anni
“Where there is no vision, the people perish . . . “ (Proverbs 29:18, KJV). Equity Kingdom and all our workshops are dedicated to experiencing vision guided by God’s Kingdom and to expressing our heart and soul’s deep desire to build justice and defeat racism.
Currently we are offering these workshops, available online or socially distanced in-person. Each can be one session or multiple sessions according to your organization’s preferences and needs.
Equity Worlds/Antiracist Worlds
For all ages. Participants color or paint paper/cardboard figures of different skin colors and races. Envisioning a world of greater equity and antiracism, they arrange the figures in justice activities and relationships, on canvas or cardboard backdrops, creating a setting (world) for their Equity/Antiracist Worlds. (For example, a cityscape, garden, earth-from-space view, community event, parade, school event, view of the solar system or galaxy, church service etc.). Or using the figures, participants might respond to various prompts and scenarios involving injustice, unfairness, and racism. They could also use the figures to act out Micah 6:8 and other Bible passages describing the kingdom of God, or create their own original stories/situations. Depending on the group’s preferences, participants might produce an Equity/Antiracist Worlds art exhibit, puppet show, or game, or create an Equity Kingdom pageant, art procession, or parade using the group’s reflections and the figures they created. For more about this workshop, please visit the Equity Worlds page.
What Is God’s Kingdom?
For all ages. Participants read (or hear others read) scriptures that describe God’s kingdom. They spend time envisioning, then discussing how they imagine or experience God’s kingdom. Then they draw, paint, and/or write about their visions. Depending on the group’s preferences, participants might produce a God’s Kingdom art exhibit, a booklet/magazine, a play or game, or create a God’s Kingdom pageant, art procession, or parade using the group’s images.
Antiracists & God’s Kingdom
For all ages. Participants read and discuss various definitions of and thoughts on being an antiracist, including Ibram X. Kendi’s book HOW TO BE AN ANTIRACIST and scriptures about God’s kingdom of justice, including Micah 6:8. They spend time envisioning, then discussing how they experience, enact, or imagine antiracism and God’s kingdom. Then they draw, paint, and/or write about their visions. Depending on the group’s preferences, participants might produce an Antiracism Kingdom art exhibit, booklet/magazine, play or game, or create an Antiracism Kingdom pageant, art procession, or parade using the group’s images.
Tales of Two Pandemics
For kids 9 years old and older and/or families. In response to prompts, participants write about and discuss their experiences, feelings, and thoughts related to (1) the Covid-19 virus and lockdown/staying home and (2) racism and police brutality/murder. They draw or paint pictures illustrating what they experienced and expressed and share the art and writings with the group. We also discuss, “Did you experience God’s kingdom or Jesus in any way in what you wrote and drew about?” This workshop can produce a physical booklet of everyone’s contributions, a PDF of the work to distribute electronically, or a digital magazine to go on the website.
Black Lives Matter
For kids 9 years old and older and/or families. Participants read and discuss the Black Lives Matter (BLM) statement “What We Believe” or a video episode from BLM’s series What Matters. They spend time sharing thoughts and feelings about this resource and BLM activities and protests they may be familiar with. They then envision and discuss how they experience the BLM movement and God’s kingdom. Then they draw, paint, and/or write about their visions and understanding. Depending on the group’s preferences, participants might produce a Black Lives Matter art exhibit, booklet/magazine, play or game, or create a Black Lives Matter pageant, art procession, or parade using the group’s images.
White Lives Must Change
For kids 9 years old and older and/or families. Participants reflect on and discuss the protest slogan, “White silence is violence,” or read and discuss the statement “75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice” or other resources about whites being antiracists and supportive of Blacks and other people of color (POC) in doing justice and eliminating racism. They also read and reflect on scriptural passages that describe the kingdom of God. They spend time envisioning, then discussing how whites can be allies of Blacks and other POC in the movement to grow equity and end racism. The group will draw, paint, and/or write about their visions and understanding. Depending on the group’s preferences, participants might produce a White Lives Must Change art exhibit, booklet/magazine, play or game, or create a White Lives Must Change pageant, art procession, or parade using the group’s images.
You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
(Matthew 5:14-16)
Contact Anni at equitykingdomofgod@gmail.com for more information on any of our Equity Kingdom workshops.
Equity Kingdom 