Background
United Methodists of Color for a Fully Inclusive Church (UMOC) was formed in April 2000, when a group of United Methodists of Color gathered in Chicago to have a conversation on the intersections of racism, sexism, heterosexism in the United Methodist Church. This discussion resulted in the creation of a statement entitled “United Methodists of Color for a Fully Inclusive Church.” The statement was widely disseminated and signed by United Methodists of Color from around the country, and at the General Conference, by international delegates.
The purpose of the statement was to break the silence of people of color around issues of sexual orientation and gender identity and speak prophetically to the common journey to justice that people of color and LGBT people share in and out of the United Methodist Church.
Looking Ahead
In recent months many conversations have taken place with people of color hungering for some activity in the face of constant attacks against diversity in the church. At the Reconciling Ministries Convocation 2001, UMOC gathered to engage in dialogue and chart the future for this vital organizing effort.
The following were identified as target areas for UMOC organizing:
Racial/Ethnic Reconciling Congregation Work
UMOC is committed to fostering dialogue on the issues of heterosexism in the church and creating resources that nurture the establishment of racial/ethnic churches and groups committed to the well being of Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual and Transgendered (LGBT) people. This will involve resource development in translation of materials and relationship building with prospective contacts.
LGBT People of Color
UMOC is committed to creating programs for LGBT people of color to explore the intersections of experience and reality, identity and spirituality. UMOC’s aim will be to help LGBT people of color heal from the wounds often perpetuated by the church in the name of dogma or ignorance to the experiences of LGBT people in their midst.
Coalition Building with Racial/Ethnic Caucus
and General Commission of Religion and Race
The Reconciling Movement has long desired to forge relationship with the UM Racial/Ethnic caucuses. UMOC will seek to serve as a bridge between the movements to abolish racism and heterosexism. UMOC will work to support and stand in solidarity with the Racial/Ethnic caucuses in the church and move to build connections with the General Commission on Religion and Race.
Deepen the Response to Intolerance
UMOC will advocate for all efforts at diversity and will stand as a watchdog on all efforts of the “religious right” (Good News, Institute for Religion and Democracy, Confessing Movement) that seek to enact an orthodox understanding on the limits of the church’s diversity. This common threat should be as alarming to people of color a it is to LGBT folks and their allies, for the structures of intolerance are rooted in the same lie: that there are limits to the church’s hospitality and God’s love.
Central Conferences
UMOC will counter misinformation from some General Conference delegates from Central Conferences who say, “homosexuality does not exist” in their countries. UMOC will raise consciousness in the church about the many well-documented killings, beatings and terrorizing of LGBT people from countries within our Central Conferences.
In the face of continued violence towards LGBT people in Africa, Latin America and Asia, UMOC will work with potential contacts in central and autonomous Methodist churches. UMOC will foster the potential for those sister churches to become advocates for the elimination of such violence and discrimination and becoming articulators for the well being of LGBT people. UMOC recognizes that the silence of these churches is often a product of colonial understandings of gender and sexuality. UMOC is committed to supporting these churches in decolonizing their understanding of sexuality and gender and becoming forces for justice and reconciliation with LGBT people in their midst.
AIDS in Communities of Color
According to the Centers for Disease Control, the AIDS pandemic is increasingly affecting communities of color disproportionately. Churches in these communities have been slow to act in the fact of this growing crisis. Much of the reason for this inaction has been credited to homophobia and the inability of church leaders and communities to engage in a discourse on sexual issues related to the pandemic. UMOC sees churches of color and people of conscience in these communities as instrumental in ensuring that the real AIDS crises in communities of color are stemmed. UMOC commits itself to fostering dialogue and providing resources to assist in this process.
Conclusion
United Methodists of Color for a Fully Inclusive Church stands as a beacon of hope for the UMC. In supporting UMOC, we have the opportunity to nurture a progressive caucus of people of color within the church
- Which stands for FULL diversity in the church.
- Which is unapologetically liberationist in its approach to the current church.
- Which forges alliances with all organizations and agencies working to create a more diverse church.
- Which tears down the wall between people of color and LGBT people that has been built through silence
To find out more about UMOC, visit their web page at www.umoc.org or contact UMOC staff person Dan Vera at UMOC, PO Box 29531, Washington, DC 20017-7531, (202) 422-1062.