The cross & the lynching tree book study

Welcome to the book study for The Cross and the Lynching Tree by James Cone. The book study takes place August 12 - September 23. Each week, the discussion questions and video will be posted on this site from Pastor Kate Hanch. If you're participating Wednesdays at 7pm on Zoom, please take time to review and watch the video prior to the weekly discussion. You can also access these videos and questions at your own pace for the on demand study.


If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Kate: khanch@firststcharlesumc.org

weekly Reading schedule

  • August 12 – Introduction
  • August 19 – Chapter 1
  • August 26 – Chapter 2
  • September 2 – Chapter 3
  • September 9 – Chapter 4
  • September 16 – Chapter 5
  • September 23 – Conclusion






additional RESOURCES TO DELVE DEEPer

WEBSITES

Lynching in America Website

James Cone’s sermon from the 2012 UMC General Conference 

Bill Moyers interviews James Cone

 

MUSIC

Cross and the Lynching Tree Playlist

And They Lynched Him on A Tree

 

BOOKS

Cone, James. God of the Oppressed.

Waldrep, Christopher.  Lynching in America: A History in Documents.

Allen, James., Lewis, John., Als, Hilton., Litwack, Leon F.. Without Sanctuary: Lynching Photography in America. United States: Twin Palms, 2000.

Sims, Angela D.. Ethical Complications of Lynching: Ida B. Wells's Interrogation of American Terror. United Kingdom: Palgrave Macmillan, 2010. Dr. Sims was a professor at St. Paul School of Theology before becoming the president of Colgate-Rochester Crozer Divinity School.

Johnson, Walter. The Broken Heart of America: St. Louis and the Violent History of the United States. United States: Basic Books, 2020.

 

FURTHER STUDY

Book discussion questions and resources from the Episcopal Church