commission on racism & religion
GRACE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Statement Against Racism
BASED ON THE SOCIAL PRINCIPLE OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
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The rights and privileges a society bestows upon or withholds from those who comprise it indicate the relative esteem in which that society holds particular persons and groups of persons.
Therefore,
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We affirm all persons as equally valuable in the sight of God.
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We therefore work toward societies in which each person’s value is recognized, maintained, and strengthened.
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We support the basic rights of all persons to equal access to housing, education, communication, employment, medical care, legal redress for grievances, and physical protection.
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We deplore acts of hate or violence against groups or persons based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, age, gender, disability, status, economic condition, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religious affiliation.
Our respect for the inherent dignity of all persons leads us to call for the recognition, protection, and implementation of the principles of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights so that communities and individuals may claim and enjoy their universal, indivisible, and inalienable rights.
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Racism is the combination of the power to dominate by one race over other races and a value system that assumes that the dominant race is innately superior to the others.
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Racism includes both personal and institutional racism. Personal racism is manifested through the individual expressions, attitudes, and/or behaviors that accept the assumptions of a racist value system and that maintain the benefits of this system. Institutional racism is the established social pattern that supports implicitly or explicitly the racist value system.
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Racism, manifested as sin, plagues and hinders our relationship with Christ, inasmuch as it is antithetical to the gospel itself.
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In many cultures white persons are granted unearned privileges and benefits that are denied to persons of color.
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We oppose the creation of a racial hierarchy in any culture. Racism breeds racial discrimination. We define racial discrimination as the disparate treatment and lack of full access and equity in resources, opportunities, and participation in the Church and in society based on race or ethnicity.
We recognize racism as sin and affirm the ultimate and temporal worth of all persons.
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We rejoice in the gifts that particular ethnic histories and cultures bring to our total life.
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We commit as the Church to move beyond symbolic expressions and representative models that do not challenge unjust systems of power and access.
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We commend and encourage the self-awareness of all racial and ethnic groups and oppressed people that leads them to demand their just and equal rights as members of society.
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We assert the obligation of society and people within the society to implement compensatory programs that redress long-standing, systemic social deprivation of racial and ethnic persons.
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We further assert the right of historically underrepresented racial and ethnic persons to equal and equitable opportunities in employment and promotion; to education and training of the highest quality; to nondiscrimination in voting, access to public accommodations, and housing purchase or rental; to credit, financial loans, venture capital, and insurance policies; to positions of leadership and power in all elements of our life together; and to full participation in the Church and society.
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We support affirmative action as one method of addressing the inequalities and discriminatory practices within the Church and society.
Click here learn more about what the United Methodist Church says about racism.
The Racial Justice Team Mission
The Racial Justice Team seeks to keep racial justice at the forefront of Grace UMC by increasing awareness, fostering relationships, and encouraging active engagement in confronting racism. This work is grounded in God’s call.
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“To act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly” (1) and to “seek justice” and “defend the oppressed” (2).
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It reflects the vision of the Beloved Community, affirming that all are one in Christ (3).
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The Team provides guidance and opportunities for the congregation to deepen its commitment to loving our neighbor (4) through faithful action (5).
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Rooted in the truth that all people are created in God’s image (6), this work advances reconciliation and upholds civil and human rights as expressions of God’s justice and love(7).
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Micah 6:8
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Isaiah 1:17
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Galatians 3:28
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Matthew 22:39
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1 John 3:18
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Genesis 1:27
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2 Corinthians 5:18
Goals for the Racial Justice Team
Updated 2026
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AWARENESS (one’s individual growth and education for RJT and the congregation)
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RELATIONSHIPS (build relationships with the community, city, state)
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COMMITMENT (actively engage Grace UMC with the community)
The Racial Justice Team provides a source of education and, we hope, inspiration to all as we work together toward Becoming the Beloved Community. We invite you to join us. Our meetings are held on the second Monday of each month, either in person in room 254 or via Zoom, from 7:00PM to 8:30PM. If you are interested in participating or have questions, please contact us at RJT@peopleofgrace.org.
Become a Beloved Community
The Racial Justice Team is deeply committed to our mission: to keep racial justice at the center of Grace United Methodist Church (UMC) by working to increase awareness, foster relationships, and demonstrate an active dedication to opposing racism. This mission aligns with the broader call of the United Methodist Church to become a Beloved Community that earnestly seeks God’s command for justice, liberation, and flourishing for all people.
In fulfillment of our goal to raise awareness regarding racial justice issues, we believe it is essential to share the viewpoints and official positions put forth in recent months by various groups within the wider United Methodist Church. These groups include the Council of Bishops, the General Commission on Race and Religion, and Church and Society. Sharing these resources helps keep our congregation informed and engaged with the larger denominational conversation on racial justice.
The statements issued by these United Methodist Church groups represent heartfelt efforts to “speak truth in love.” While United Methodists may sometimes disagree with the views expressed in these statements, we encourage all expressions of disagreement to be shared respectfully. Our hope, as the Racial Justice Team, is for our church community to keep moving forward on the path to becoming a Beloved Community. By deepening our understanding of current events and continuing this important work, we strive to respond to God’s call to “act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly” as written in Micah 6:8.
Links to the Official Statements
What is the United Methodist Church’s position on Racial Justice?
From the UMC Social Principles on Racism, Ethnocentrism and Tribalism
We condemn racism, ethnocentrism, tribalism, and any ideology or social practice based on false and misleading beliefs or ideologies that one group of human beings is superior to all other groups of human beings. Additionally, we utterly reject laws, policies and social practices that marginalize, discriminate and/or encourage the use of violence against individuals, communities or other social groups based on perceived racial, ethnic or tribal differences.
We call on congregations and on pastors, bishops, and other church authorities to educate themselves about the root causes and manifestations of racism, ethnocentrism, and tribalism within communities of faith and to develop strategies for overcoming these kinds of social divisions. We likewise urge governments, businesses, and civil society organizations to renounce statements, policies, and actions aimed at promoting exclusion, discrimination and violence.
Article IV of the UMC Constitution (ratified by General Conference 11/2025)
The United Methodist Church proclaims that from God’s goodness and love, God created all persons as God’s unique and beloved children. Racism opposes God’s law, goodness and love and diminishes the image of God in each person. Fueled by white privilege, white supremacy and colonialism, the sin of racism has been a destructive scourge on global society and throughout the history of The United Methodist Church. It continues to destroy our communities, harm persons, obstruct unity and undermine God’s work in this world. Racism must be eradicated. Therefore, The United Methodist Church commits to confronting and eliminating all forms of racism, racial inequity, colonialism, white privilege and white supremacy, in every facet of its life and in society at large.
Racial Justice Book Suggestions
Some of the books may be located on the bookshelf located in the Gathering Space outside of Room 254.
NON-FICTION
Be the Bridge by Latasha Morrison
Presents a vision of what it means for every follower of Jesus to become a bridge-builder—committed to pursuing justice and racial unity in light of the gospel.
So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
Provides advice for readers when discussing race-related subjects, such as how to avoid acting defensive or getting off-topic. Statistics are used to support the book's arguments.
Me and White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World, and Become a Good Ancestor by Layla F. Saad
A 28-day process that she calls a "personal anti-racism tool" designed to teach those with white privilege how systemic racism works and how they can stop contributing to white supremacy in the world.
A Peculiar Indifference: The Neglected Toll of Violence on Black America by Elliott Currie
"For too many Americans, reports of lethal violence in black communities evoke momentary concern but then are quickly dismissed as incidents that occur in 'those neighborhoods.' Elliott Currie boldly confronts this peculiar indifference, conveying tragic stories of unjust suffering and stunning statistics about the high cost of living in fear. Most important, he debunks any excuses for inaction, presenting ambitious but practical ways to make black lives matter.”
I’m Still Here by Austin Channing Brown
Recounts Brown’s experiences as a Black woman in predominantly white spaces, whether evangelical churches, the corporate world, or the U.S. at large.
Caste by Isabel Wilkerson
A portrait of an unseen phenomenon in America exploring how America today and throughout its history has been shaped by a hidden caste system, a rigid hierarchy of human rankings.
Four Hundred Souls: A Community History of African America 1619-2019 by Many
Features essays, biographical sketches, short stories, and poems by ninety Black writers. It chronologically spans the 400-year length of African-American history, beginning in 1619 with the arrival of the first Africans in Virginia and ending in 2019.
The Liturgy of Politics: Spiritual Formation for the Sake of Our Neighbor by Kaitlyn Schiess
“Explores how the liturgies of our lives shape our political engagement and the gospel-shaped formative practices our Christian communities may embrace. She begins by looking at the shaping liturgies of our political life, the liturgies of loyalty (“us” versus “them”), of fear (whether it is climate change or immigrants), and idolatry (political influence). These liturgies are informed by counterfeit forms of the gospel: prosperity, patriotism (American exceptionalism), security, and sadly, white supremacy. The author contends these are framed as compelling narratives, sometimes in our churches, more often in online media, talk radio and television.”
The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together by Heather McGhee
An exploration of how racism harms everyone in society, including white people. McGhee shares stories and data to reveal the toll racism takes on economics, health, and politics and offers solutions for a more equitable future.
The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
Civil rights lawyer and scholar Michelle Alexander explores the racist origins of America’s system of mass incarceration.
Love is the Way: Holding on to Hope in Troubling Times by Bishop Michael Curry
The way of love is essential for addressing the seemingly insurmountable challenges facing the world today: poverty, racism, selfishness, deep ideological divisions, competing claims to speak for God. This book will lead readers to discover the gifts they need to live the way of love: deep reservoirs of hope and resilience, simple wisdom, the discipline of nonviolence, and unshakable regard for human dignity.
White Too Long: The Legacy of White Supremacy in American Christianity by Robert P. Jones
Delivers a provocative examination of the unholy relationship between American Christianity and white supremacy.
How to Fight Racism: Courageous Christianity by Jemar Tisby
Introduces a simple framework—the A.R.C. Of Racial Justice—that teaches readers to consistently interrogate their own actions and maintain a consistent posture of anti-racist behavior.
Dear White Peacemakers by Osheta Moore
An invitation to White Christians to come to the table and join this hard work and holy calling.
Carry On: Reflections for a New Generation by John Lewis
Lewis shares hard-earned wisdom from his years on the front lines of the civil rights battle.
The Kingdom the Power and the Glory: Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism by Tim Alberta
In their quest for kingdom, power, and glory, many aggressively conservative evangelicals fail to follow the commands of Christ. Alberta takes a journalist’s approach to prove the point that American evangelicals are far too obsessed with politics and Christian cultural influence.
Doing Justice Together: Fresh Expressions Pathways for Healing in Your Church by Michael Adam Beck and Stephanie Moore Hand
Looks at how we, in the Church, can co-create congregations where racial equity, justice and liberation are foundational to who we are and how we can share the love and grace of God in a broken and divided world.
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Written as a letter to the author's teenage son about the feelings, symbolism, and realities associated with being Black in the United States.
We Are the Leaders We Have Been Looking For by Eddie Glaude
How ordinary people can shake off their reliance on a small group of professional politicians and assume responsibility for what it takes to achieve a more just and perfect democracy.
FICTION
A Lesson Before Dying (and other books) by Ernest Gaines
Set in 1940s Louisiana, it tells the story of a young black man wrongfully convicted of murder and sentenced to death. As his teacher and friend, Grant Wiggins, tries to impart a sense of self-worth and humanity before the execution, the novel confronts the harsh realities of racism and the possibility of redemption.
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
The novel tells the story of two twins from Mallard, Louisiana, one of whom decides to pass as white. The Vanishing Half explores themes of racial identity, family, belonging, and grief.
Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez
Inspired by the true story of two young Black girls who were surgically sterilized in 1973 in Montgomery, Alabama, without their consent, and the ensuing lawsuit that exposed the US government's regular practice of sterilizing poor women and girls, especially women of color.
CHILDREN’S BOOKS
The Color of Love by Poppy Harlow & Laura Jarrett
If love were a color, what color would it be? As Grace and her classmates share what love looks like to them, they learn that it comes in many forms.
Don’t Touch My Hair by Sharee Miller
An entertaining picture book that teaches the importance of asking for permission first as a young girl attempts to escape the curious hands that want to touch her hair.