UMW Event To Provide Platform For Dialogue On Race

“So You Want to Talk About Race” is Feb. 22 at First UMC Rowlett

The United Methodist Women of North Texas are hosting a racial justice event on Saturday, Feb. 22 from 9 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at First UMC Rowlett that promises to create conversation, community and cultural connections with an event titled “So You Want to Talk About Race.”

“I'm very grateful to be working on planning the NTC United Methodist Women's Charter for Racial Justice Event because … racial justice is part of United Methodist Women's DNA,” said Cynthia Rives, national director representing the South Central Jurisdiction and a member of First UMC Denton.

In early January, the North Texas Conference announced a journey the conference would undertake seeking racial justice.

“Bishop McKee has cast a powerful vision for the North Texas Conference to embark anew on a ‘Journey Toward Racial Justice,’ ” said Rev. Andy Lewis, Assistant to the Bishop and director of the conference’s Center for Missional Outreach. “The truth is that the UMW has been on this journey for some time. I have no doubt that the information and inspiration they have to share at this event will help the clergy and laity of the NTC take the next right step.”

The all-day event, open not just to UMW members but to all who want to partner in this important work, will begin with dialogue and a guided discussion of the book So You Want to Talk About Race  by Ijeoma Oluo. As the book is on the UMW Reading Program list, the discussion formation was developed from the National UMW by Emily Jones, executive director for Racial Justice, and others on the national UMW staff.

Lunch will feature a multi-cultural potluck lunch. Participants are asked to bring a favorite family dish with the recipe to share. The afternoon will include bible study and worship. 

Rives is excited about the event and working toward racial justice in the NTC.

“Because we [UMW] believe that racism should be eradicated, we will come together in all our diversity seeking the ‘beloved community,’ " she said. “We come together to be in conversation with one another, learn from one another and take action that will change the world. It'll be exciting to see how God will work among us.”

There is no charge to attend but a reservation is requested by Feb. 7.

Published: Tuesday, January 21, 2020