United Methodist leaders across the denomination are hosting a series of virtual town hall discussions as part of the "Dismantling Racism: Pressing on to Freedom" initiative. During the month of August leaders will host two town hall meetings on August 19 and 26 starting at 12:00 p.m. CST/1:00 p.m. EST. Moderator Erin Hawkins will lead both discussions. Each town hall will be recorded and posted online. Participants may submit questions for panelists ahead of time.
Seasoned leaders discuss dismantling racism
Wednesday, August 19, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. CST/1:00 p.m. EST
The work of dismantling racism is not new; now more than ever we need to be reminded of the work that has moved us to today’s reality – and to name where we still need to go. Four United Methodist leaders in the civil rights movement will name the parallels and distinctions between their historical work and how today’s anti-racism and anti-oppression movements are different, as well as their insights about the church’s role in this work, where the church must lead the prophetic call to justice and the tension between different approaches to this work. Join panelists James Lawson, Joel N. Martinez, Sue Thrasher and Clara Ester for their insights.
Emerging leaders discuss dismantling racism
Wednesday, August 26 at 12:00 p.m. CST/1:00 p.m. EST
In this current season, rising leaders are studying the leadership of those who came before and adding their energy to the ongoing work of dismantling racism. As a part of our Town Hall series on anti-racism, we present a panel of younger leaders to hear about their strategies for changing the world and their encouragement for partners in this work. We will hear about their vision for how take action with intention and how the Church can draw from the wisdom of the past and hope for the future. They will respond to your questions about their vision for how to take action with intention and how the Church can draw from the wisdom of the past and hope for the future. Join panelists Ann Jacob, Theon Johnson III, Andres De Arco and Katelin Hansen for this important conversation.
Our hope is that this Town Hall series will help equip the United Methodist Church as we engage in our anti-racism work across the Connection.