““What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?””
Here are some resources for learning and for action.
Addressing Racism and Homophobia:
“Take a Walk in My Shoes” - a video about an experience designed to confront a group of students with the realities of racism in themselves and in daily life. It may be painful to watch but is worth the effort. A brief interview with the exercise’s leader, Jane Elliot, tells how she came to this work.
Workshops on “Dismantling Racism” are a key part of United Methodist ministry in Eastern PA and are open to anyone. Church leaders are especially urged to take part.
“Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man” records a series of discussions between Emmanuel Acho and a variety of white people who are coming to grips with the effects of racism in daily life and how to begin to address it.
History of the Carlisle Indian School - gives an example of how native cultures and peoples have been systematically suppressed. Other resources and action steps recommended by the Eastern PA Annual Conference Commission on Native American Ministries include:
https://www.americanindianmagazine.org/story/redress-project/
Learn about the Negative impact of sports mascots—http://www.changethemascot.org/
Learn about protecting sacred lands and National Monuments from exploitation—https://www.npca.org/advocacy/
“For the Bible Tells Me So” - looks at the relationship of the Bible and homosexuality through the lives of gay Christians and their families.
A series of video clips from United Methodist Scholars for an Inclusive Church brings a variety of voices to the topic of gender and LGBTQ inclusivity.
Addressing Poverty:
Statistics about poverty in Chester County are available at livestories.com. One group that is addressing poverty in our own community is Phoenixville Bridges out of Poverty.
Addressing Violence:
Christianity Today often publishes articles about Christian peacemaking in its many aspects. This link points to three articles that lead off in some of those directions.
Addressing Ecology and Climate Change:
The United Methodist Church has an intensive program to engage those with a calling to protection of the earth, known as “Earthkeepers”. Many accounts of what individuals and churches are doing can be found at a site called “Creationcare”.