Eliminating Racism

Addressing racism, privilege and white fragility in The United Methodist Church

Resources to equip, empower and embolden United Methodists to confront racism.

Do you accept the freedom and power God gives you to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves?

I do.

UMC Baptismal Vows

The murder of George Floyd by a white police officer sparked national protests and important and long-overdue conversations about race, anti-blackness, privilege, and white supremacy. A corresponding increase in anti-Asian violence and racist rhetoric reminds us that many communities are harmed by hate. The Church has a role and responsibility to equip, empower, and embolden its members in the difficult work of resisting the sin of racism as it is found in society and within our congregations.

Resources from across the Greater Northwest

Regional Resourcing

Greater NW: Resource List • Confronting the Sin of Racism Webinar

The speakers referred to subject areas, writers and resources that are helpful in understanding racial dynamics in the US today. Please consider drawing from these resources for your personal, group or congregational studies.

Greater NW: Inventory of Decision-making Mechanisms

Greater NW: Inventory of Images & Comm. Mechanisms

GNW Circle of Indigenous Ministries: A guide to land acknowledgments.

IV Team: Cultural Self-Awareness Recipe Card

IV Team: Emotional Intelligence Recipe Card

IV Team: Liberating Advent Worship Resources

Regional Voices

Kristina Gonzalez: Intercultural Competence: Why this and why now?

PNW Church & Society: Statement on Racism, Call to Church Action

Rev. Erin Day: An Open Letter to White Pastors, Preachers, Priests, and Ministers in America

Caucus Groups

Press Release (9/6/2023): New Federation of Asian American United Methodists Unity statement.

National Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministries of The UMC: Statements, resources, blogs and more.

Press Release (3/17/2021): Asians and Asian-Americans of The United Methodist Church condemn the rise of anti-Asian violence in the U.S.

Denominational Resources

General Secretaries Table: Statement on Racism

Ask the UMC: What does The United Methodist Church say about racism?

Discipleship Ministries: Resources for Responding to Systemic Racism

Religion & Race: Implicit Bias. What we don’t think we think (course for General Conference delegates).

Religion & Race: 30 Days of Anti-Racism. A calendar.

Religion & Race: You are here: Small group discussion guide in seven session for White Christians on Race & Racism.

ResourceUMC: United Methodists stand against racism graphics

Church & Society: United Methodist Social Principles

Racism, manifested as sin, plagues and hinders our relationship with Christ, inasmuch as it is antithetical to the gospel itself. … We commit as the Church to move beyond symbolic expressions and representative models that do not challenge unjust systems of power and access.

Church & Society: What We Care About – Civil & Human Rights

United Methodist Women: Mission Focus on Racial Justice and Mass Incarceration

United Methodist Initiative

Press Release: ‘Dismantling Racism’ initiative coming for United Methodist Church

The “Dismantling Racism: Pressing on to Freedom” initiative is a multi-level effort throughout the church to initiate a sustained and coordinated effort to dismantle racism and promote collective action to work toward racial justice.