You probably remember this day: May 25, 2020. That day, George Floyd, suspected of passing a forged $20 bill in a neighborhood convenience store, was killed under the knee of an arresting Minneapolis police officer. As the nation—and world—reacted with several nights of demonstrations, The United Methodist Church recognized that it, too, needed to express a moral voice.
As the Susquehanna Annual Conference announced through its QuikLINK e-newsletter, the Council of Bishops and several denominational boards and agencies announced a “plan of action” to help all United Methodists to work to end racism. The emphasis began on June 19, known as Juneteenth, the anniversary of enslaved African Americans in Texas learning from a Union general that the war had ended and the enslaved were freed.
Susquehanna Annual Conference is joining this denomination-wide movement.
The annual conference’s Inclusiveness Commission is meeting and recommitting to the Northeastern Jurisdiction’s “Call to Action for Racial Justice.” You can find that here: bwcumc.org/text-of-the-call-to-action. An Anti-Racism Collaborative has emerged in our conference and has already begun identifying ways for us to address systemic racism and improve inter-cultural understanding. They will be working alongside the Inclusiveness Commission as well as other conference groups so that we can all participate.
The United Methodist agencies produced several resources to help churches and individuals to join this effort. Regardless of how you perceive racism or what interactions you’ve had with people of another race, you will find something helpful for you and your church at umc.org/endracism.
You will find at this site links to:
- on-line Town Hall meetings that explore various expressions and responses to racism
- video series for group discussion
- suggestions on how to talk with children about racism
- prayer resources
- a message for laity
- preaching and worship resources
Resources are added regularly, so you will want to check back weekly to see what’s new.
The Susquehanna Conference cabinet is reading White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism, by Robin DiAngelo. This book, published two years ago, has been strongly recommended by many readers.
You’ve likely heard the phrases “systemic racism” and “institutional racism” a few times. Both refer to discrimination and imbalances in society or in an organization. It can lead to discrimination in the areas of criminal justice, employment, housing, availability of health care, political participation, and education, among others. These injustices are deeply embedded in our society, stemming from complex historical forces.
Discrimination, belittlement, or outright hatred by individuals is an obvious form of racism. Systemic racism is more insidious. Even those of us white people who are well-meaning and enjoy positive relationships with people of color may be benefiting from systemic racism, even if are not aware of it. This is partly because we are not harmed or limited by this imbalance of justice.
Combating racism is not a new idea for the church. Both the Old Testament law and Jesus taught us to care about our neighbors. This biblical commandment prompts the church to work for a world where people of all skin colors and cultures make intentional efforts to understand each other and appreciate how varied God created us to be as the body of Christ.
One of the founders of Methodism, John Wesley, was an outspoken advocate for the abolition of slavery and for the inherent worth of all human beings. During one of his trips to the American colonies, in the mid-18th century, Wesley baptized two enslaved black women. These women went on to become missionaries in Antigua. African Americans also appeared on the rolls of some of the early Methodist meetings in the American colonies. Harry Hosier, a black man, was known as a powerful preacher who traveled with Francis Asbury to a number of Methodist gatherings.
Today, we can find in our United Methodist Book of Resolutions the entry “Annual Conferences’, Districts’, and Local Congregations’ Responsibilities for Eradication of Racism.” It instructs, “Therefore, be it resolved, that every annual conference, district, and local congregation within the US have a strategy and program which educates and supports systemic and personal changes to end racism and work multi-culturally.”
We are taking this seriously. We know that this will be a focus for many years to come. Watch for announcements on the Susquehanna Conference Facebook page and in QuikLINK for opportunities to get involved.
