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The Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church has embarked upon a radical work of creating an Anti-Racism Task Force that is working in three specific areas: Training & Accountability, Beloved Community, and Public Policy & Witness. In response to this calling, Rev. Dr. Latricia Edwards Scriven and Rev. Michelle Shrader have been invited to lead our District work around Anti-Racism.

To help launch this district-wide focus, twelve of Trinity’s Leaders have just completed a wonderful study last month entitled A Credible Witness— Reflections on Power, Evangelism, and Race by Brenda Salter-McNeil. McNeil uses the story of the Woman at the Well to engage church leaders on what it means to be a reconciler in today’s world.

Trinity UMC was very proud to have piloted this well-received course,  which served as a beta study for the district. Now we are excited to be able to broaden this opportunity and offer it District-wide. As a congregation, we are being invited to commit to a journey together with other congregations around the NW District. Latricia and Michelle will lead us on this six-week journey, which will take place on Thursdays, from June 17 through July 22. The study will be offered over Zoom, and my hope is that we can “widen the circle” of participants so that we might all begin to embrace a deeper understanding of what it means to become a diverse community focused on sharing the love of Jesus Christ with our neighbors.

As Christians, we are called to be God’s witnesses to all the world. We are called to witness to the beauty of God alive and at work in the world, and we are called to witness to the need for change when change is needed. There is a reality that has held true for far too long, and it is the reality of the division that persists in our communities and in our churches across racial lines. This fracture is something we cannot ignore if we profess to be among those who walk in the ways of Jesus, because Jesus was the ultimate reconciler.

Please mark your calendars and make every effort to participate in this wonderful calling to be a loving reconciler in today’s world.  You can register here

For more information on the Conference work on Anti-Racism, click here: https://www.flumc.org/bishops-task-force-on-anti-racism. 

We are collecting water, Vienna sausage, crackers, pudding and applesauce for the homeless each week. Please feel free to leave donations in the box at the Welcome Center. All donations are greatly appreciated.