A Moment for Mission
“God destined us to be his adopted children through Jesus Christ because of his love.” —Ephesians 1:5, CEB
The Scripture verse from Ephesians 1:5 speaks to the profound love of God, who adopts us as children through Jesus Christ. This verse underscores the idea of inclusion and the diversity of belonging in God’s family.
What are you reading this summer? Consider organizing a book study on “White Too Long” using a study guide produced by the General Commission on Religion and Race. In “White Too Long,” author Robert Jones, CEO and founder of the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI), discusses how the legacy of white supremacy has shaped and continues to shape American Christianity. Jones takes readers on a journey from recognizing and seeing the crisis of the present moment to naming how collective responsibility and repair might be possible now.
This book study guide may be completed each week for a seven-week study. Each session opens with a prayer, Scripture verse, or opening quotation from the book.
Thanks to your congregation’s World Service Fund support, the General Commission on Religion and Race challenges, leads and equips United Methodists to become culturally competent, nurtures institutional equality and encourages vital conversations about religion, race and culture.
Children’s Message
In the Letter to the Ephesians 1:3-14, the writer talks about how much God loves us and has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
Imagine a beautiful rainbow stretching across the sky, with all its vibrant colors shining brightly. Each color is unique and special, but when they come together, they create something even more beautiful.
Just like the colors of the rainbow, we are each different. We come from different backgrounds, cultures and experiences. Some of us may have different skin colors, speak different languages or celebrate different holidays. And you know what? That’s something to celebrate!
In Ephesians 1:3-14, we read that God has chosen us to be part of a family, adopted as children through Jesus Christ. When we come together, we are a beautiful rainbow and part of God’s colorful creation. Together we create a world where everyone is treated with love and respect, just as God intended.
Prayer (from the “White Too Long” study guide)
Holy Liberator, free us from the ways we believe about You that harm others, dismiss others, deny others’ humanity, and disconnect us from You and our neighbor. We believe, Lord. Help our unbelief. Redeem us and free us from theologies of white supremacy. In Your name, we pray. Amen.
Newsletter Nugget
“God destined us to be his adopted children through Jesus Christ because of his love.” —Ephesians 1:5, CEB
The writer of Ephesians reminds us that Christ brings people of all races and cultures into one family. This summer, why not take some time to learn about other cultures and increase your intercultural competence?
The General Commission on Religion and Race compiled suggestions of movies and books that encourage intercultural learning for children, adults and families.
After reading a book or watching a movie, consider these discussion prompts:
What did you learn about _________’s (name of the protagonist) culture?
What is the beauty of ________’s (name of the protagonist) culture?
What would it look like if we incorporated _________’s (name of the protagonist) culture into our lives?
Because congregations support the World Service Fund, United Methodists are challenged, led and equipped to become interculturally competent; institutional equality is nurtured; and vital conversations about religion, race and culture occur. Thank you!
—Adapted from General Commission on Religion and Race website. Used by permission.