A Bellevue church is challenging its parishioners and residents in the area to examine ongoing racism in King County.

Members of the Eastgate Congregational United Church of Christ are meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24, to discuss “white privilege” and explore opportunities to combat the “unearned advantages and benefits white people receive,” during a public forum in partnership with the People’s Institute Northwest.

Rev. Marsha W. Williams, who joined the church as its transitional pastor in April 2013, said the decision by her parishioners to tackle such a polarizing topic was encouraging and brought renewed hope to a struggling congregation.

“As a black reverend in front a mostly white congregation I was overjoyed when they decided they wanted to start looking at the inconsistencies,” Williams said. “Some of the congregation didn’t even know what white privilege was, so it’s been an eye opening experience for them realizing there’s issues that need to be addressed.”

When Williams joined the church its membership was at a crossroads trying to decide its future. Should it continue with dwindling numbers, sell its property and join another church, or stay and rebuild what they once had.

Once Williams was hired, it was clear which path they choose.

“I told them I could help them live or give them a really good death,” she said. “They choose to live.”

The fruits of those labors are being harvested, Williams said, adding the forum is another step in the right direction.

“For them, to say they want to start tackling some of the issues is a real change of pace,” she said.

Following the police shooting of an unarmed black teen in Ferguson, Mo., Williams said people started asking questions about the events, discussing what they can do to ensure it doesn’t happen again. So she starting encouraging church members to look critically at the systems which marginalize individuals and communities in the area.

At the same time, Williams connected with the People’s Institute Northwest, and they both agreed more can be done on the Eastside.

The free forum is open to tall and will be held at the church, 15318 S.E. Newport Way, in Bellevue. For more information or to register for the event, contact Jenn Hagedorn at 206-265-2834.