“Racial Justice: A Mandate to Our Discipleship” Webinar Series
Series Overview
This four-session series invites participants to explore the racial justice mandate of The United Methodist Church—its origins, meaning, and ongoing significance as a mandate for dismantling racism, white supremacy, and colonial legacies in the life of the Church. Through guided teaching, reflection, and dialogue, participants will deepen their understanding of how our collective identity and responsibility as a denomination is committed to racial justice.
Session 1: Actively Engaging Racial Justice in Local Congregations
March 3, 2026
10AM - 11:30AM Eastern Time
Free
This session will address the questions:
What spiritual, relational, and practical changes are required for local churches to embody racial justice as a lived commitment?
How can congregations move beyond statements toward daily, communal practices that reflect the UMC's mandate for racial justice?
Session 2: Racial Justice & Its Implications for Today
April 7, 2026
10AM - 11:30AM Eastern Time
Free
Focus: Explore the theological and missional purpose of racial justice across time—what it meant at its inception, and how it calls the Church to faithful engagement with racial justice today.
Panelists:
Dr. Katelin Hansen (Chief Financial Officer, United Methodist Church For All People)
Rev. Dr. Stacey Cole-Wilson (Executive Minister of Beloved Community, Baltimore-Washington Conference of The United Methodist Church)
Highlighted Resource: GCORR’s Book Study on “How to Fight Racism” by Jemar Tisby
Session 3: Racial Justice & Our Methodist Heritage
May 5, 2026
10AM - 11:30AM Eastern Time
Free
Focus: Our General Secretary, Rev. Dr. Giovanni Arroyo, will facilitate a conversation with Dr. Ashley Boggan, General Secretary of the General Commission on Archives and History. This session will trace the development of the racial justice mandate within the broader story of the United Methodist Church, uncovering its theological roots and historical context. Together, we will examine how the Church’s constitutional commitment to racial justice emerged from a legacy marked by segregation and reunion, and explore the racial justice mandate as both a necessary corrective and a sacred covenant shaping our witness today.
Panelists:
Rev. Dr. Giovanni Arroyo (General Secretary, General Commission on Religion and Race)
Dr. Ashley Boggan (General Secretary, General Commission on Archives and History)
Highlighted Resource:
Session 4: Understanding Racial Inequity, White Privilege, White Supremacy, and Colonialism
June 2
10AM - 11:30AM Eastern Time
Free
The Recording
Focus: Our Senior Director of Programs and Education, Rev. Enger Muteteke, will facilitate a conversation with Dr. Traci West, Professor Emerita of Christian Ethics and African American Studies at Drew Theological School in New Jersey. This session will invite participants to engage the deeper systems of inequity that the racial justice mandate calls the Church to confront. Together, we will define these critical frameworks in both theological and institutional terms, connect them to lived realities within The United Methodist Church and beyond, and discern how faithful discipleship can actively dismantle these systems in pursuit of justice and beloved community.
Panelists:
Rev. Enger Muteteke, Senior Director of Programs and Education, GCORR
Dr. Traci West, Professor Emerita of Christian Ethics and African American Studies, Drew Theological School
Recommended Resources
All God’s Children - Online course on colorblindness
Microaggressions 101 - Online course on microaggressions
Prayer by Rev. Emily Swan
Spirit of Jesus --Come with fire that refines, Water that refreshes, Wind that topples, Breath that fills.
Kindle a global revival of empathy, justice, and active peacemaking. Birth a witness of Love that is bigger and better than we inherited. Liberate us from privilege and oppression.
Unshackle the gospel from nationalism, colonialism, white supremacy, and every other lens that shrouds the Good News. Give us an abundance of grace for others and ourselves. Grant us compassion for those who suffer.
Free us from the influence of money, power, and acclaim. Restore our reputation for caring for the poor, loving our neighbors, being ambassadors of peace and stewards of the earth. Unlock the immense resources hoarded in the Western Church and release them for your name’s sake.
Encourage us, so we do not grow cynical, isolated, and burnt-out. Fan our hopes, our joys, and our connections. Allow us to rest when we need rest. Enable us to see you in each person we encounter. Show us mercy, in our humanity. Let us love more fully than we thought possible.
Let us not be quick on the draw, ready to retaliate, escalate, assassinate. Let our collective fervor for justice eclipse institutional concerns. Let us trust and follow the wisdom of those who have been marginalized. Let us persevere in creating safe places of worship to eat bread and drink wine together. Let us stand for Love and with Love, following the way of your Son as best we're able. Let us not fear an experiential spirituality. Let us listen to the wondrous bodies you gave us. Let us hear your voice and tangibly feel you with us. Let us discern your guidance. Let us abide in and with you.
Show us what you’re doing, so we can work together. Move where you will, when you will, in whatever way you will. Come, Holy Spirit and restore your Church. Amen.
~ Rev. Emily Swan, "The Holy is Here, Present with Me: A Guided Meditation," A Rhythm of Prayer: A Collection of Meditations for Renewal, edited by Sarah Bessey