Our Thoughts on Racism

The Leadership of the Southeastern Jurisdiction of United Methodist Men embraces Racial Healing Circles (RHC) as a vital element in our commitment to dismantling racism. As followers of Jesus Christ, we are devoted to making disciples of all nations for the transformation of the world, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Too many times, apathy serves as a diversion from roads that could lead to racial healing. Too often we pledge to turn our faith into action but fail to do so.

“Faith by itself, if not accompanied by action is dead.” – James 2:17

In accordance with paragraph 217 of the Book of Discipline, we covenant together to accept the freedom and the power God gives us to resist evil , injustice, and oppression. People of faith are called to attend to the wounds of rascism with both prayer and action – to move out of pain to healing by transforming the systems that perpetuate injustice.

Nearly all of our leadership team is now trained as Racial Healing Circles facilitators. We will continue to train and equip them to conduct racial healing circles throughout our faith communities and betond. We strongly urge men to speak out and stand up for unity, justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion. We encourage the deployment of healing circles as a begining to understanding and a new life of grace. It is there we begin the dialog necesssary to heal the wounds caused by the inhumanity of racism.