ALL THINGS NEW: A Conversation With Rev. Dr. Giovanni Arroyo (General Secretary for The United Methodist Church’s General Commission on Religion and Race

Understanding Ballot #3: Article V: Racial Justice

In this conversation with Rev. Dr. Giovanni Arroyo (General Secretary for The United Methodist Church’s General Commission on Religion and Race and Rev. Doris K. Dalton (Director of Connectional Ministries, New York Annual Conference) offer details on Ballot #3: Article V: Racial Justice. 

At the United Methodist Church's General Conference held in April-May 2024, delegates approved significant amendments to the church's constitution, including updates to Article V concerning racial justice. This amendment strengthens the church's commitment to addressing and eliminating racism in all its forms.

Text of Article V: Racial Justice (as approved in 2024):

"The United Methodist Church proclaims that from God’s goodness and love, God created all persons as God’s unique and beloved children. Racism opposes God’s law, goodness, and love and diminishes the image of God in each person. Fueled by white privilege, white supremacy, and colonialism, the sin of racism has been a destructive scourge on global society and throughout the history of The United Methodist Church. It continues to destroy our communities, harm persons, obstruct unity, and undermine God’s work in this world. Racism must be eradicated. Therefore, The United Methodist Church commits to confronting and eliminating all forms of racism, racial inequity, colonialism, white privilege, and white supremacy, in every facet of its life and in society at large." 

BACKGROUND

Significance of the Amendment: This amendment reflects The United Methodist Church's dedication to confronting and eliminating racism, striving to embody God's love and justice in all aspects of its life and mission.

• Explicit Acknowledgment: The revised Article V directly names "white privilege," "white supremacy," and "colonialism," confronting historical and systemic injustices within the church and society. 
• Active Commitment: It calls for proactive measures to dismantle racist structures, promoting a culture of accountability and healing within the church community. 
• Historical Reconciliation: By addressing past complicity in systemic racism, the church seeks reconciliation and unity, aligning with broader societal movements for racial justice. 

For this constitutional amendment to become official, it requires ratification by a two-thirds affirmative vote from the aggregate members of the annual conferences. This process ensures that the commitment to racial justice is embraced throughout the global denomination.  

Please listen to the entire podcast, access the resources below, and do the work needed to learn more to inform and affirm your vote at the New York Annual Conference's 226th Annual Conference Session on June 6-8, 2025 in Stamford, Connecticut. 

RESOURCES: 

• About Rev. Dr. Giovanni Arroyo
• The General Commission on Religion and Race
• Proposed Constitutional Amendments
• Resource UMC Explains Ballot #3: Article V: Racial Justice
• Living Out Article V: Liturgy & Litany: A Downloadable PDF (including The Great Thanksgiving, Anti-Racism Litany, Affirmation

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