This is the report on the PbYukon FB page and on the Yukon Presbyterians for Earthcare page.  I reprint it here for those who do not have FB.

On Monday, someone reported a severe incidence of racism at First Presbyterian Church in Anchorage in a FB post. This posting tapped into a huge reservoir of hurt that is still present in the Indigenous communities of the world (not just Alaska) and we have been hearing from them and from their allies. The hurt is present because racism is real and continues to damage individuals and whole classes of peoples.

Unfortunately, the post that triggered all of this was based on a misunderstanding. Yes, things should have been handled differently. However, because of the misunderstanding, what was originally reported is not what happened. Many of us have therefore been at work this week to seek a proper response.

This week the First Presbyterian Church and the Anchor Presbyterian Church leaders have joined with one of the women who was named in the original posting, and with one of the women who posted the inaccurate report on FB. We have been at work to put together a joint statement on what happened. About an hour ago, we finished with a statement we could all endorse. I have printed it for you, below. It was put out on FB by one of the same people who put out the original statement. When she put out the original statement, she thought it was true. She is happy to put out the correction.

Part of what this has been about is the very real depth of hurt that is out there. One of the remaining questions for us is how to continue this ministry of ending racism, and working for healing. This is obviously a burning ministry need in our state, and I hope we will continue to find ways to address it together. I am happy to report that all who have been working on this together have discovered that we are allies in this effort, even though we started off somewhat distrustful of each other.

I suspect that it will take some time for word to get out about what really happened, and our desire to continue to work on this ministry. Many have been planning to come to the church tomorrow to stand against racism and for including everyone. I suspect that many will still come, not knowing about our efforts together this week, and our joint statement. Please continue to pray for all of us as we continue in this ministry.

  Joint Statement

The Facebook posting which led people to believe that the First Presbyterian Church of Anchorage engages in discrimination against Alaskan Natives, or people of any other nationality or ethnicity, needs to be corrected.  It was a misunderstanding.  On Thursday, the mother in the account described, below, along with two of her friends, met with church leaders from the First Presbyterian Church of Anchorage and the Anchor Presbyterian Church.  This statement comes from them.

The First Presbyterian Church of Anchorage includes people of many races, including Alaska Natives, as members.  It also has been helping to start a new church in Anchorage, the Anchor Presbyterian Church.  Anchor Presbyterian was formed to provide Native food and fellowship to people who are looking for it, and especially to those who come from villages for medical or other services.   Both First Presbyterian and Anchor Presbyterian churches have worship services at 11:00 a.m.—on opposite sides of the same building.

Last Sunday an Alaskan Native woman and her daughter, who regularly attend Anchor Presbyterian Church, arranged to meet the mother's adult son at church.  However, the mother forgot to tell him that she attends Anchor Presbyterian.  Her son went to the First Presbyterian Church.  After not finding the son at Anchor Pres, the mother and daughter went to First Pres to look for him.  A female member of First Presbyterian happened to be outside the sanctuary.  The mother was dressed in her Native regalia, and the woman outside the sanctuary assumed she was looking for the Anchor Presbyterian Church.  She told her, “The Native church is down that way.”  The mother explained that she had just come from there and was looking for her son.  She asked if they could peek in and check.  The First Pres member said the worship service was almost over, if they wanted to wait.

Although this member of First Presbyterian Church intended to be helpful, her description of Anchor Presbyterian Church could have been better. She also should have let the mother and daughter into the service immediately so that they could have searched for the young man.  First Presbyterian Church of Anchorage truly wishes to encourage effective ministry and fellowship among all peoples.  Everyone is welcome.