Goal: To Live Out the Conviction that Racism is Incompatible with Christian Teaching

 

Racism is a sin, and The United Methodist Church is committed to challenging the unjust power structures that support it and working for equality in all areas of life.
 

Anti-Racism Task Force Vision for 2020

NIC Cabinet statement call to resist racism

Events/Resources/News: 

• NIC 2023 Civil Rights Pilgrimage: A historical and educational tour designed with intent and discernment to help journey-goers take action against racism. Each day will include a debriefing session and advocacy training sessions will be conducted. Click here to learn more.

• Upper Room Devotion: The Upper Room is committed to a ministry that is increasingly global, antiracist, and ecumenical. These days we are called to give special and focused attention to be antiracist. This is the work of discipleship and spiritual formation. Read more about The Upper Room's perspective on the sin of racism here. For resources for the spiritual work of overcoming racism, click here.

• The Ephesus Project: A Church/Pulpit Exchange is not new to many churches. However, the Anti-racism Task Force has gone a step further. Ephesians 2:14-15 speaks about divided groups coming together as one new humanity as our peace.  The Ephesus Project has been through some changes since it's initial start. It is now a “do-it-yourself” guide with a template of things that can be done in phases. We know that different churches are looking for different things in a church/pulpit exchange. We believe that being intentional in learning about racism or racial equity is an important component. Click here for the guide.

• Stop Asian Hate: According to a recent report, Asian Americans have experienced a 150% increase in hate crimes in major cities over the last year, and “Asian American women reported harassment incidents 2.3 times more often than their male counterparts.”  Read statement from Bishop Hopkins. Read statement from the New Federation of Asian American United Methodists. The Rev. Martin Lee, NIC Dir. of Congregational Development and Redevelopment, welcomed Rev. Jesse Jackson to First Korean UMC in Wheeling for worship on Sunday, March 21. Lee gave testimony how the anti-Asian racism is impacting him and his family. Read statement.

• NIC Bible Study with Rev. Junius Dotson: Rev. Junius Dotson, General Secretary for Discipleship Ministries, leads the second session of the pre-annual conference online Bible study looking at the Conference's three strategic goals. In this session, Rev. Dotson and Rev. Ron Bell help us go deeper in our goal to live out the conviction that racism is incompatible with Christian teaching. ►Watch video.  ►Click here for the PowerPoint slides.

• Anti-Racism Task Force Legislation: Learn more about the Anti-Racism Legislation to require anti-racism training for all active clergy once every four years that was passed at the Northern Illinois Annual Conference on Nov. 14, 2020. ►Watch video

• Anti-Racism 101 training course: GCORR is offering a new online training course, Anti-Racism 101: Required Skills for White People Who Want to be Allies. Students will learn to identify racism and then interrupt it with the help of real-world skills, strengthened resolve and foundational knowledge. Enroll Today.

• "Dismantling Racism" Town Hall Discussions: The “Dismantling Racism: Pressing on to Freedom” initiative’s town hall series on anti-racism to explore both old and new approaches to organizing for racial justice in church and community were held in August.  The webinars are available at UMC.org/EndRacismTownHall to watch. 

Pray: 

• Reflect and pray weekly with the NIC Discipleship Task Force Prayer Network
• Daily Prayers for Change from Discipleship Ministries
• The Upper Room has collected resources for the spiritual work of overcoming racism
• Prayers for the Healing of a Nation - Discipleship Ministries
• No justice. No peace: Devotion written by Rev. Pamela Pirtle, Director of Leadership Development & Accountability, GCSRW,  in response to George Floyd’s murder
• Watch Dismantling Racism: A Service of Lament

Connect:

• The General Commission on Religion and Race offers several video series to encourage discussion.
• Watch Responding to Our Call to End Racism with Bishop Dyck, Chicago Southern District Superintendent Rev. Jacques Conway, NIC Anti-Racism Task Force Co-Chair Rev. Jarrod Severing, GCSRW Dir. of Leadership Development Rev. Pamela Pirtle and NIC Co-Lay Leader Mark Manzi.
• Watch The Impact of COVID-19 in Communities of Chicago with Bishop Sally Dyck and Dr. LaMenta "Sweetie" Conway, Deputy Chief of Medicine for the Illinois Department of Health. They discuss Dr. Sweetie's experience and insights on how Christians can live out our love of neighbor during these difficult times when healthcare access is unequal and front-line workers are vulnerable.

Act:  

• Volunteer with the Justice Generation Learning Program
• Join Church and Society of the United Methodist Church in their work for civil and human rights.
• Get started on the Learning Path
• Chicago Black Methodists for Church Renewal - Bending Toward Justice