Our Connection Matters: Racial Justice Resources

What Does The Lord Require Of Us? 

"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8

... And what does the Lord require of you (me, us)? Micah 6:8 gives us a very straight forward answer. When we look at all that is happening in our nation and world right now, how can we "be the change we want to see in the world" (Mahatma Gandhi)? 

A change agent is a person who acts as a catalyst for change - transformation. God's sanctifying grace transforms us from the inside out to be the salt and the light to go change the world! When we act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God, we become "Alive Together In Witness" to this world! 

George Couros, learner and educator, offers 5 characteristics of a change agent: 1) clear vision, 2) patient yet persistent, 3) asks tough questions, 4) knowledgeable and leads by example, and 5) strong relationships built on trust. Racial Justice is a journey that, in light of current events, many are seeking to gain a better understanding of and stand in solidarity with persons of color. 

This edition of Our Connection Matters is filled with resources to help those seeking to lean into, speak to, and be a change agent for racial inequalities and racial reconciliation. It begins with each one of us by allowing the Holy Spirit to do the hard work deep within so we can then have impact in our homes, communities, and beyond! 

These resources are assembled in one place to come alongside and meet each of us where we are on this journey. May we strive to become change agents in sharing our witness and living out our faith in Christ, moving towards healing and reconciliation wherever racial injustice exists. 

Racial Justice

In The United Methodist Church, we:

• proclaim the value of each person as a unique child of God and commits itself to the healing and wholeness of all persons.
• recognize that the sin of racism has been destructive to its unity throughout its history. Racism continues to cause painful division and marginalization.
• shall confront and seek to eliminate racism, whether in organizations or in individuals, in every facet of its life and in society at large.
• shall work collaboratively with others to address concerns that threaten the cause of racial justice at all times and in all places.

The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church 2016, ¶ 5

Racial Justice Resources:

• Bestselling Books On Racism
• Recognizing White Privilege (Robin DiAngelo, author of White Fragility)
• Implicit Bias: What We Don’t Think We Think: Online Course | Workbook
• Ways United Methodists Can Stand Against Racism
• Reaching In, Reaching Up, Reaching Out: The Spiritual Work of Overcoming Racism (The Upper Room)

From The Heart of South Georgia

• Bringing Down The Walls of Hostility (Bishop R. Lawson Bryan)
• Dismantling Racism, Standing Together (Rev. Earnestine Campbell)
• Injustice Anywhere (Rev. Lynn Meadows-White)
• Statement On the Killing of Ahmaud Arbery (GCORR & GBCS)
• A Podcast on Race & Healing (Bishop James Swanson) 
• The Risk The White Church Must Take To Address Racism (Rev. Eric Mayle)
• Moving Beyond Protests To Stamp Out Racism (UMNS Article featuring Rev. Michael Culbreth)
• Two Savannah UM Churches Join To Combat Racism (Advocate Article)

 Children & Youth Resources 

• Talking Race with Youth
• Tools for Processing the Protests With Teens
• 5 Tips for Addressing Racism with Children
• 50 Best Multiculturalism Books for Children
• 31 Books for Ages 3-12 to Support Conversations on Race
• Cokesbury Kids Deep Blue: Faith & Culture - Antiracism 

General Commission on Religion and Race Resources

• 25 Traits of the Beloved Community
• Deconstructing White Privilege: A Discussion Guide
• Equity vs. Equality: Understanding the Differences
• Implicit Bias: What We Don’t Think We Think: Online Course | Workbook
• Learning from Strangers, Best Practices for Cross-Racial and Cross-Cultural Ministry in The United Methodist Church, Researched and written by Derrick G. Hodge.
• Meaningful Conversations on Race: A Discussion Guide
• Racial Justice Conversations Guide
• Struggles in American Race Relations: A Discussion Guide
• The Building of Bridges to Community: A Discussion Guide

South Georgia Conference 
Multiculturalism Task Force Resources

Multiculturalism Resource Guide: Resources for Raising Awareness & Increasing Understanding

Breakdown of the Resource Guide:

• Book Recommendations
• Film Recommendations
• Liturgical Resources
• Social Principles and Social Creed
• Reflection
• Website Links
• What Can We Do

Authentic Conversations Videos from the Multiculturalism Task Force

• Session 1: Introduction and Serving 
• Session 2: Worshiping Inclusively
• Session 3: Welcoming and Training Intentionally 
• Session 4: Bridging the Blended Church Community
• Session 5: Connecting the Cross-Racial-Cultural Church Community
• Session 6: Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) Awareness

 Now Showing

• Ted Talks to Help Understand Racism
• Just Mercy (FREE in June). Based on the life and work of civil rights attorney Bryan Stevenson, Just Mercy is being shown at no cost for the month of June to those who are interested in learning more about the systemic racism that plagues our society.

For questions or additional resources, please contact Allison Lindsey at allison@sgaumc.com.