Montview’s Anti-Racism Trust Team
– Artists Detour and Hiero painted a mural of George Floyd on the side of a Ready Temporary Services building at High Street and Colfax Avenue.
ARTT’s History
In 2020, in the wake of George Floyd’s murder and a national reckoning with racial injustice, Montview answered a call. We formed the Anti-Racism Trust Team (ARTT)—and what began as a response to crisis has become a transformative movement within our congregation.
The Impact We’ve Made Together
Since 2020, we’ve created something remarkable: a space where 200 people—from Montview and 14 neighboring faith communities—have gathered to do the holy and challenging work of confronting racism. Through small-group studies of Dr. Jemar Tisby’s The Color of Compromise and How to Fight Racism, participants have:
- Discovered how racism has been woven into our nation’s fabric—and our own stories
- Built authentic relationships across differences that might otherwise divide us
- Found courage to have vulnerable, transformative conversations in a trusting environment
- Developed a shared language and commitment to dismantling systems of racial injustice
We’ve embraced what Dr. Tisby calls the “ARC of racial justice”: raising Awareness of structural racism, building Relationships across racial lines, and making Commitments to lasting change.
Your Invitation to Be Part of This Journey
Our next studies begin February 3, 2026—offered via Zoom in both February and September. Whether you’re just beginning to explore these questions or you’ve been engaged in this work for years, there’s a place for you at the table. Click here to register.
Montview’s Anti-Racism Statement
In December of 2024, the Session of Montview adopted the Anti-Racism Statement. We are committed to keeping this vibrant by meeting regularly with Session to set anti-racism goals. To begin this transformational work, we met with all nine governing committees to dialogue about anti-racism embedded in all areas of the church.
The following is Montview’s Anti-Racism Statement:
Montview has a long history of being a “A House of Prayer for All People.” In continuation of this important work and witness, Montview is committed to becoming an anti-racist church dedicated to dismantling the systemic racism that is pervasive in our society.
Our sorrow is profound as we acknowledge and lament the complicity of the Presbyterian Church with racism. We believe that racism is the opposite of God’s hope for humanity. Christianity calls us to value the unique humanity of each person, because each person reflects the image of God.
We commit, both as a faith community and as individuals, to doing the work to dismantle systemic racism. As a Matthew 25 caring congregation, we believe that this is part of our calling. As we continue along the path to become an anti-racist church, Montview makes the following commitments: to learn about the role we have played in perpetuating systemic racism; to support racial diversity, equity, inclusion, and voice in our congregation; to work for racial justice in government and civic structures; to participate in reparations programs; and to act courageously and creatively against racism in ourselves, our congregation, and our society.
Montview is also determined to keep this statement, our commitments, and our approach to anti-racism work vibrant by charging our Anti-Racism Trust Team (ARTT) with being the church’s conscience on this issue. Session will meet regularly with ARTT to set concrete anti-racism goals within the operation and governance of the church. In addition, ARTT is independently empowered to provide the congregation with a variety of opportunities to learn about anti-racism, to develop meaningful relationships with people who are different from our predominantly white institution, and to take action for racial justice.
Standing together, with the power of the Holy Spirit working in us and through us, we are dedicated to creating and sustaining a beloved community.
“… being an antiracist requires persistent self-awareness, constant self-criticism, and regular self-examination.”
Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, Author
How to Be an Antiracist
Books We are Reading
ARTT has been offering book studies on two works by Dr. Jemar Tisby: The Color of Compromise: The Truth about the American Church’s Complicity in Racism and How to Fight Racism: Courageous Christianity and the Journey Toward Racial Justice. Information on both of these studies can be found above.
ARTT has also been engaged with their own studies. We are grateful to have had the opportunity to work with a skilled facilitator, Rev. Shavon Starling-Louis, Co-Moderator of the Anti-Racism Ministry Team of the Presbytery of Charlotte and Pastor of Meadowlake Presbyterian Church in North Carolina. She led our team through, What Lies Between Us Journal & Guide: Fostering First Steps Toward Racial Healing, by Dr. Lucretia Carter Berry, a 5-Week Self-paced Anti-racism Educational Course. The book is available on Amazon.
ARTT’s Mission Statement
To read ARTT’s mission statement, click here.
Past Activities and Events
Celebrate Black History Month @ Montview and Beyond
Black History Month occurs every year in February, and it is an important month for all of us to observe, honor and celebrate. Black History is our history. Black History Month is about honoring the legacy, struggle and accomplishments of African Americans in striving for their freedom, dignity and human rights in the United States. As Dr. Tisby said in an article on this topic from 2021, “The impact African Americans have made on this country is part of our collective consciousness. Contemplating Black history draws people of every race into the grand and diverse story of this nation.” Click here to learn more about how Montview honored this special month.
Dr. Jemar Tisby at Montview
In November 2022, Montview and the ARTT had the privilege of hosting Dr. Jemar Tisby — author of The Color of Compromise and How to Fight Racism — as our Dodds Memorial Lecturer. He led a Saturday morning workshop, preached at two services, and led the Adult Faith Formation session, engaging members of Montview and other congregations across the Denver metro area and inspiring new energy on this important topic to our church, community, and country. The event was extremely well-attended, well-received and inspirational.
Montview Church Program Staff Interview on Anti-Racism Work
Montview Church is committed to integrating principles that support and promote racial justice throughout the life and work of our church. We believe that this commitment from our church leadership is an essential part of Montview’s anti-racism work. Our program staff has participated in a powerful 5 month training entitled, “Anti-Racism Practices for Faithful Leaders,” facilitated by NextChurch, a program of the PC-USA Church. They speak about their learning, experiences and reflections from the training, and how this will impact their work and our congregation as we plan for the future. Pastor Ian honestly shares wise advice from facilitator Jessica Vazquez Torres to encourage learning and growth in this area: “Be willing to fall down, and embarrass yourself. This is hard work. It is awkward work.” Please listen to our Montview Church staff’s discussion about current and upcoming efforts and commitment to anti-racism work in our congregation and beyond.
For a collection of articles and resources on race, visit our Race Resource page by clicking here.
ARTT Prayer of Lamentation
This prayer is a collective effort created by the entire ARTT to raise awareness of the pain and trauma caused by racism, to acknowledge our responsibility as Christians to work towards healing and reconciliation, and to ask for the Spirit to guide us in this important work.
Watch this video above of a Prayer of Lament, written and read by the ARTT. In it, they share laments and prayers for the sin of racism. Read the full prayer text here.
Learn More About Montview’s ARTT
If you have a passion for justice, for helping others, dialoguing and thoughtfully creating lasting change, then this work is for you. All are welcome. Contact Carole Pauls at carolynpauls@gmail.com or Charlie Bruce at brucecmac@mac.com.