Today we are celebrating and honoring all of those who have volunteered, collaborated, supported and advised the growth of our community and sacred work in the world!
We love these action steps created by the General Commission on Religion and Race for manifesting a beloved community and they are an integral part of our community’s practices and culture!
The beloved community manifests and protects agape love as its guiding principle and is expressed in the following ways:
1. Offers radical hospitality to everyone; an inclusive family rather than exclusive club;
2. Recognizes and honors the image of God in every human being;
3. Exhibits personal authenticity, true respect, and validation of others;
4. Recognition and affirmation, not eradication, of differences;
5. Listens emotionally (i.e., with the heart) – fosters empathy and compassion for
others;
6. Tolerates ambiguity – realizes that sometimes a clear-cut answer is not readily available;
7. Builds increasing levels of trust and works to avoid fear of difference and others;
8. Acknowledges limitations, lack of knowledge, or understanding – and seeks to learn;
9. Acknowledges conflict or pain in order to work on difficult issues;
10. Speaks truth in love, always considering ways to be compassionate with one another;
11. Avoids physical aggression and verbal abuse;
12. Resolves conflicts peacefully, without violence, recognizing that peacefully doesn’t always
mean comfortably for everybody;
13. Releases resentment and bitterness through self-purification (i.e., avoidance of internal
violence through spiritual, physical, and psychological care);
14. Focuses energy on removing evil forces (unjust systems), not destroying persons;
15. Unyielding persistence and unwavering commitment to justice;
16. Achieves friendship and understanding through negotiation, compromise, or consensus –
considering each circumstance to discern which will be most helpful;
17. Righteously opposes and takes direct action against poverty, hunger, and homelessness;
18. Advocates thoroughgoing, extensive neighborhood revitalization without displacement (this
also applies to the Church – working toward responsible and equitable growth, discipleship,
and worship);
19. Blends faith and action to generate a commitment to defeating injustice (not forgetting that
injustice can also be found within the Church);
20. Encourages and embraces artistic expressions of faith from diverse perspectives;
21. Fosters dynamic and active spirituality – recognizes that we serve a dynamic God who is not
left behind by a changing world or people, and that a passive approach will not work;
22. Gathers together regularly for table fellowship, and meets the needs of everyone in the
community;
23. Relies on scripture reading, prayer, and corporate worship for inner strength;
24. Promotes human rights and works to create a non-racist society;
25. Shares power and acknowledges the inescapable network of mutuality among the human
family.
RELIGION & RACE
General Commission on Religion and Race
THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
