Restorative Justice Circle This racial justice re-set session was a deeply meaningful and emotional process for members of a New England church.

I was honored to support a restorative justice circle, a deeply meaningful and emotional process for members of a church in Martha’s Vineyard.

The facilitator led members of the church community through the session using the following prompts, which I captured virtually (although the session itself was in person):

  • Doing: What would a circle practice look like here?
  • Can you share a kernel of a story of ‘othering’ (on the island or in the church)?
  • What are the feelings that came up during the stories?
  • What are the barriers to intervening in times of justice?
  • What are you willing to do to allow a deeper sense of belonging for your community?
  • What are you grateful for?
  • The barrier – what is the goal?
  • Out of these answers the covenant will be shaped. From behaviors of belonging we will create the covenant