August 17, 2017
Dear Reader,
Once again violence, hate and racism have risen in the headlines. And once again Christians look for ways to respond.
In Oregon, Idaho and much of the northwest we are also faced with the challenge of understanding the issues behind the institutional racism and white privilege that is part of our regional history and even the history of The United Methodist Church. Exclusion laws and an unwelcoming attitude have resulted in a lack of diversity for the area. Portland has been dubbed the “whitest city in America” and Idaho deals with a history of hate that was amplified by the presence of white supremacist groups.
First, we must recognize our privilege. As a white, heterosexual, educated man I hit all the privilege buttons. So, it would be easy for me to turn away from violence in other places and say it doesn’t affect me. But if I am to call myself a follower of Christ, I must turn toward these issues and seek ways to support those in the struggle for true justice, acceptance, and reconciliation. In the words of Micah 6:8, each of us must ask what the Lord requires of us.
This week’s UM Connector is focused on the many responses to violence in Charlottesville, and provides some resources for responding. And our commentary is once again from General Board of Church and Society General Secretary Susan Henry-Crowe, this time reprinted in full.
Greg Nelson, Director of Communications
RESPONDING TO CHARLOTTSVILLE
Comments from the Bishop
Bishop Elaine Stanovsky shared via Twitter and Facebook on August 12 reminding her readers that both the constitution and the bible offer rights and respect for all:
"All... created equal... with inalienable rights." Whites due no supreme/special status, rights, protections in USA. Separate is not equal!
and
"Love neighbor as self" is Jesus' call to treat every person as family, not enemy. Christians need to speak out against separatism and hate.
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Embrace love: Charlottesville
As your congregation gathers for worship this Sunday, congregants may be thinking and talking about the recent events in Charlottesville, Virginia. Be prepared to offer words of comfort, share details about the denomination’s stance to affirm all persons as equally valuable, and help church members find resources that will empower them to address racial justice issues in your community.
The United Methodist Church is advertising nationally to encourage a unified stand against racism, challenging people to learn how we all can be a force for good. A compilation of articles and denominational statements is available at UMC.org/EmbraceLove. Resources from across the connection are also available, including liturgies, discussion guides, videos to use in worship and on social media, and tips for talking to kids. Explore resources online at www.umc.org.
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Bishop Ough issues Statement
Bishop Bruce Ough, President of the Council of Bishops, released a statement about violence in Charlottesville, VA saying, “Let there be no excuses or political justification for the evil that was on full display in Charlottesville last Saturday. Nor, let us forget that many such displays of white supremacy, racism and hatred go un-reported or under-reported in many places. White supremacist and neo-Nazi ideologies are abhorrent and entirely inconsistent with the Christian faith.” Read his full statement on umc.org.
EMO condemns violence
Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon (EMO) released a statement offering an unequivocal condemnation of the hate speech and acts of violence committed by white supremacists on Saturday, August 12 in Charlottesville, VA. Calling the actions evil, and drawing comparison to recent hate crimes in Portland, the organization calls for political and faith leaders to speak against every act of hate and the ideology of white supremacy. The Oregon-Idaho Conference of The United Methodist Church is a member of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon. Read their full press release.
NCC Condemns ‘Unite the Right’
The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA condemns, in the strongest terms, the “Unite the Right” gathering of white supremacists in Charlottesville, Virginia, on Saturday, August 12th. "We deplore the ideology behind it and the hatred manifest in it. White supremacy must find no sanction or shelter in America today." Read their full statement.
AROUND THE GLOBE
Hundreds dead, missing in Sierra Leone
FREETOWN, Sierra Leone (UMNS) — United Methodists, including entire families, are among the hundreds killed after torrential rains caused deadly mudslides and flooding near Freetown. The number of dead is expected to rise as recovery efforts continue. Read the rest of this United Methodist News Service story.
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Guam church prays for restraint on nuclear threat
MANGILAO, Guam (UMNS) — Blustery talk from North Korea about missile attacks on Guam is not new, says the Rev. Johann M. Osias, senior pastor of Guam United Methodist Church, part of the denomination’s California-Pacific Conference. At Sunday worship, his congregation’s pastoral prayer called for “wisdom and restraint” at a time of greater danger. Read the rest of this United Methodist News Service story. and read a statement by Bishop Grant Hagiya.
At Sunday worship, pastors decry racism
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (UMNS) — After witnessing the white supremacy that led to violence in Charlottesville, United Methodist pastors scrambled to rewrite sermons and find other ways to bear witness against racism. Read the rest of this United Methodist News Service story.
Louisiana needs flood-recovery volunteers
BATON ROUGE, La. (UMNS) — United Methodists observing the first anniversary of devastating floods in Louisiana are looking for more volunteer teams to help the most vulnerable of the storm’s survivors get back on their feet. Read the rest of this United Methodist News Service story.
AROUND THE CONFERENCE
Employment
New employment opportunities have been added to the conference website.
Worship Band Leader – Eagle, ID
Worship Service Accompanist – Eagle, ID
Custodian and Maintenance worker – Portland, OR
See these, and more at www.umoi.org/classifieds.
RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES
Where do you fall on the racism scale?
April Harder, a clinical social worker in Colorado, offers some insight on how we can find ourselves in the role of enabling racism by not being willing to confront those we love and care for. Read her article, and see where you are on the “racism scale.”
Leading in Transformation conference set Sept. 21
ATLANTA — The first National Historical Black Colleges and Universities Leading in Transformation Conference will be Sept. 21 on the campus of United Methodist-related Clark Atlanta University. The United Methodist Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century and Board of Higher Education and Ministry are among the organizers of the gathering. Learn more about the event.
COMMENTARY
An Open Letter to Jeff Sessions and all United Methodists
Rev. Dr. Susan Henry-Crowe
This past weekend, the United States experienced terrorism at the hands of white supremacists, neo-Nazis, and the KKK during a rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. Lives were lost and people were injured, all in the name of hatred, racism and xenophobia.
I have written a letter to Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Mr. Sessions leads the Department of Justice – the federal agency charged with protecting the civil rights of all people in the United States. He also happens to be a United Methodist.
Read my letter here.
I encourage you to read this letter and to send your own letter to the attorney general here. We must call upon our leaders to reject racism and bigotry and to take up the mantle of justice and peace.
While we hold our leaders accountable for their work in the halls of power, we must also look inward at our churches, our communities and ourselves. The United Methodist Church is not without complicity in the evils of white supremacy and racism, as past sins and present challenges remind us.
White Christians have a particular duty to be in conversation with and learn from our neighbors. We must also become allies with communities of color and religious minorities, and show up in the struggle for racial justice. As a white person, I take this to mean standing alongside and taking up the concerns of impacted people as my own.
The Church challenges “individual white persons to confess their participation in the sin of racism and repent for past and current racist practices” (Book of Resolutions, 3376).
This work is not done in isolation. Being an ally means being in solidarity.
I urge all congregations and conferences to stand with the communities closest to them who are threatened by racism. Racism is not only the expression of hate, but it is the perpetuation of economic injustice, enactment of discriminatory housing and education policies, implementation of unjust policing practices, infringements on voting rights and more. The sin of racism is not only a problem in Charlottesville; it is in our own home towns. If you do not know how racism is impacting people on your own block or in your own city, learn about it and take action:
- Engage civically at the local, state and federal level by advocating for reforms that will dismantle the systemic racism in U.S. policies.
- Invest spiritually, economically, and with other personal and public resources in people and communities experiencing racism.
- Finally, this is not simply a matter of policy; it’s a matter of people. Build and deepen relationships across racial lines. Among white Americans, 91 percent of our social circles are entirely white. We can and must do and be better. The General Commission on Religion and Race has numerous resources for churches and individuals here.
We must continue to pray and learn about white privilege, institutional racism and systemic bigotry. I urge all United Methodists to reaffirm their baptismal vows and recommit to resisting evil.
This hard, but important, work of personal repentance, societal transformation, and fully embracing each other as vital parts of the body of Christ is for United Methodists across the connection. This work is not confined to one annual conference or one jurisdiction. People of faith from Charlottesville to Chicago and Seattle to Savannah share the burden and responsibility to engage. May we create space in our hearts, congregations, and communities for justice to roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
In peace,
Susan