An important message from the Racial Justice Team

Dear NSUMC Members and Friends:

As United Methodists, we affirmed and/or reaffirmed a commitment to “accept the freedom and power God gives [us] to resist evil, injustice and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves” when we joined the church.
 
The killing of George Floyd and others in 2020 etched the reality of racial injustice vividly in our minds. The unequal fallout of the pandemic on Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color also showcased the injustice, as did the news about the dramatic rise in the number of white nationalist groups in America in recent years.

Following Pastor Scott’s invitation to reflect on what this called us to do as a faith community, a seed group was formed to chart a set of strategies for the way forward. The honest conversations we have had as a team have not always been easy but have been a testament to the love we have for one another, which we believe is truly a hallmark of our congregation.

This letter is to highlight our strategies with you, invite your comments and contributions, and solicit your participation in making these strategies a reality at NSUMC.

We have learned and believe that it is not enough to be non-racist (believing one does not hold racist views). Being anti-racist (being action focused), with the understanding white racial culture/white privilege exists, is foundational to moving forward.  Our path forward therefore includes:

1. Creating a robust racial justice mission statement to be our touchstone as we move forward in creating a racially equitable, anti-racist, multicultural spiritual community both within our church and beyond our church walls.
2. Reviewing our church policies in light of the racial justice mission statement, examining how our church can become a more intentional and fully transparent anti-racist congregation
3. Reviewing and revising where needed of all internal and external communications to be consistent with our anti-racist stance
4. Educating ourselves, which will include making available a list of resources, intentional study in this area, guided small group discussions, potentially outside speakers, workshops, films etc.  This could be in partnership with other organizations, and the community could also be invited to participate.
5. Finding/creating opportunities for partnering with others in furthering anti-racism in our area, potentially collaborating with other churches, justice-focused non-profits, local community based organizations.

What you can do now:

• Learn more! We plan a post-worship Adult Forum on this topic in February, Black History Month. Your feedback and participation that day will help us strengthen our way forward, and we look forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas. Watch the weekly e-News for confirmation of this important date.
• Join us. If you’d like to be a part of this group and/or participate with any of these initiatives, sign-up by filling out this form. Or, contact any of us – our information is listed below.

Thank you for prayerfully considering the ways our caring congregation can act to help end the sin of racism in our country.

​Sincerely, NSUMC Racial Justice Team members
Kathy Cole                     (847-687-7464 or colemarketing@comcast.net)        
Lisa Goodale                  (847-207-4838 or lcgoodale@sbcglobal.net)          
Anita Bryant Mauro        (anitamauro@me.com)
Jim and Judi Simmons   (773-262-5984 or jrs1218@aol.com)
Sue West                       (847-835-1001 or sue@westbunch.com)
 
“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”   (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.)