Topic: United Methodists seek racial justice

Useful Links

As followers of Christ, we affirm all persons as equally valuable in the sight of God and therefore work toward societies in which each person’s value is recognized, maintained, and strengthened.

We recognize racism as a sin and seek to eliminate it.

On this page, you will find stories, resources and tools to learn more about the issue of racism and the ways you can advocate for the fair treatment of all people.

Erin Hawkins, top executive of the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race, speaks on May 10 to the United Methodist General Conference in Portland, Ore. Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS

Religion and Race top executive to stay on

Erin Hawkins pointed to news of racial unrest as a reason to remain in her current denominational leadership role. Read More

Jeremaih (left) and Jeremain Robinson remove a waterlogged table from a home that was heavily damaged by flooding in Baton Rouge, La. The 16-year-old twins were part of a volunteer team from First United Methodist Church in Baton Rouge. Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS

Baton Rouge church fixing ‘holy, beautiful messes’

A United Methodist church straddling a line between racially divided neighborhoods is repairing flooded homes and, hopefully, relationships. Read More

A Freedom School volunteer reads with a young scholar at Summit on 16th United Methodist Church in Columbus, Ohio. Freedom Schools “build strong, literate, and empowered children.” Photo by Gwen Kisker, United Methodist Communications.

Freedom Schools Shape Students’ Lives

United Methodists staff and support Freedom Schools to empower young scholars to become tomorrow's leaders. View

The Rev. James Lawson talks about Black Lives Matter and the civil rights movement during a break from teaching at the Children Defense Fund’s Proctor Institute in Clinton, Tenn. UMNS photo by Mike DuBose

Lawson: Black Lives Matter shows need for change

The Rev. James Lawson says the movement is an extension of the social awakening that started with the civil rights movement. Read More

The Rev. James Lawson: Civil Rights and Black Lives Matter

United Methodist leader reflects on the long fight for justice. “You have to allow history to move at its own pace.” View

At the end of an ecumenical “Prayer Walk for Racial Peace,” organizers and some marchers are shown under one of the rainbows that came out at the end of the march. Photo courtesy of Michael Beck

Prayer walk for racial peace unites community

A United Methodist pastor in Florida says ecumenical work around racial justice has changed his city. Read More

Talking about race: United Methodist pastor’s tips

Multiple shootings and mounting tension in the U.S. have many asking “What can we say?” Church leader from Ferguson has advice. Read More

Pastors led a July 7 prayer vigil after Alton Sterling was killed by police in Baton Rouge, La. Photo courtesy of Louisiana Conference of The United Methodist Church.

Louisiana United Methodists join in prayer after shooting

Pastors led prayer vigil after Alton Sterling was killed by police. “We offered a witness...that the church cares about injustice,” said the Rev. Susie Thomas. Read More

Members of the Black Lives Matter movement disrupt the May 16 proceedings of the 2016 United Methodist General Conference in Portland, Ore. The demonstrators marched into the plenary session chanting slogans and gathered around the central communion table. Photo by Paul Jeffrey, UMNS.

GC2016 plenary pauses for Black Lives Matter demonstration

General Conference plenary halted briefly by Black Lives Matter marchers. Read More

Pastors Matt Miofsky (left) and Willis Johnson talk after services at The Gathering United Methodist Church in St. Louis, Missouri.

UMTV: Pastors Model Peace After Ferguson

They were on the streets of Ferguson after racial tensions flared. A year later, these friends are still fighting racism, together. View

Ferguson, Missouri in 2015. Video image by United Methodist Communications

Call for clergy to be sign of peace in Ferguson

United Methodist pastor, the Rev. F. Willis Johnson Jr., says he wants to “revive a sense of optimism and hope” in his troubled city. Read More

Pastors Willis Johnson (left) and Matt Miofsky (right) talk before services at The Gathering United Methodist Church in St. Louis, Missouri. Video image by United Methodist Communications.

Pastors fight racism, move forward after Ferguson

A year after racial tensions exploded in a small town, two United Methodist faith families say their commitment-and their connection-is stronger. Read More

Erin Hawkins of the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race speaks during the 2012 General Conference. Photo by Skyler E. Nimmons.

Enough is enough: On violence and accountability

The Commission on Race and Religion's Erin Hawkins says prayer is powerful but we need action steps for being accountable and courageous. Read More

The Africa University Choir sang comforting hymn selections at Francis Burns United Methodist Church in Columbia, S.C., on June 19, the day after nine people were shot at Emanuel AME in Charleston. Photo by Betty Void

AU Choir consoles, encourages South Carolinians

Africa University choir members, shocked by the Charleston church shootings, change program to offer comfort. Read More

The Charleston tragedy: How should we respond?

Rev. F. Willis Johnson says that a 21-year-old could be so bigoted in beliefs and diabolical in actions leaves the most devout bewildered. But “the only thing that will conquer... Read More

Members of the North Georgia Conference offer prayer in Athens, Ga. following the deadly shooting at Emanuel AME in Charleston, S.C.

Mourning for Charleston, then praying for action

United Methodists in South Carolina and across the U.S. prayed, issued statements and preached about the deadly shooting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church. Read More

Rebuilding community amidst racial tension

How do we act out of love amidst tension and injustice? Listen to Bishop Warner H. Brown, Jr., as he discusses the need to rebuild community and create healing. Read More

Marchers cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala., during the 50th anniversary observance of the

‘Thy will be done:’ Coping after police custody deaths

What role does The United Methodist Church play in bringing racial reconciliation amid a national debate about police use of force? Read More

A McKinney, Texas police officer's conduct toward black youth prompted a press conference by United Methodist clergy outside McKinney police headquarters on Tuesday, June 9. Speaking were the Rev. Thomas Brumett (left), pastor of First United Methodist Church of McKinney, Texas, the Rev. Frances Cudjoe Waters, president of the North Texas Conference African American Clergy Fellowship, and the Rev. Michael Bowie, Jr., pastor of St. Luke Community United Methodist Church in Dallas. Photo by Sam Hodges, UMNS

Police incident stirs North Texas Conference

Clergy, black and white, decry excessive force toward black teens, and promise dialogue on race. Read More

The Rev. Bonnie McCubbin is pastor of Good Shepherd United Methodist Church in Baltimore and also serves as a police chaplain. She is pictured with her husband, the Rev. Lemuel Dominguez, pastor at Bethany United Methodist Church in Ellicott City, Maryland.

Police chaplain: ‘We all live in same world’

United Methodist pastor and police chaplain talks about the days after and many months before riots rocked her community. Read More

What the Church Says

Rights of Racial and Ethnic Groups

"We recognize racism as sin and ... assert the right of members of historically underrepresented racial and ethnic groups to equal opportunities..." Read More

White Privilege in the United States

European Americans enjoy a broad range of privileges denied to persons of color in our society, privileges that often permit them to dominate others who do not enjoy such privileges. Read More

Global Racism and Xenophobia

The General Conference of The United Methodist Church affirms the United Nations principles relating to global racism and xenophobia. Read More

Affirmative Action

The United Methodist Church supports affirmative action as part of our biblical mandate to redress discrimination and create a society where all may flourish. Read More

Responsibilities for Eradication of Racism

Every annual conference within the U.S. should have a strategy and program that educates and supports systemic and personal changes to end racism. Read More

A Charter for Racial Justice Policies in an Interdependent Global Community

"With respect to race, the aim of The United Methodist Church is nothing less than an inclusive church in an inclusive society." Read More

Act of Repentance for Racism

General Conference adopts a study guide to be used in all local U.S. congregations, which addresses the church's role in racism and concludes with a call for repentance. Read More