When Bishop Bickerton toured the flood-ravaged areas in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom (a region composed of Caledonia, Essex, and Orleans counties), he returned with a made-up mind and a plan to put the collective impact of the newly-formed New Hope Episcopal Area into full gear. Bishop Bickerton tasked members of his Cabinets in New England and New York to mark their calendars and get set to serve as well.

The New Hope team was the 13th to arrive and work on restoring the property, which required ongoing attention. Several different finishing projects required attention, including fixing the chimney, completing work to shore up the foundation, and framing and painting.

For five fruitful and faith-filled days in Vermont, the 10 district superintendents and other leaders on Bishop Bickerton's Cabinets—and most importantly, the homeowners impacted—were forever changed.

The completion of the one home requiring the most time and attention during the Cabinet's time in Vermont restored the hopeful mindset that the homeowner, Justine, needed to push forward after living with the impact of the devastation.

Listen in on a conversation with Lisa Isom, our NYAC Director of Communications, and the homeowner Justine Farrow. Her daughter, Arantha also spoke with Lisa, detailing what happened and why this project was transformational for her mother and the small community they call home.

Finally, Lisa spoke with Tim Shaeffer of “A Call to Build” (a volunteer disaster rebuild mission) and his wife, Marcy Sheaffer. Tim served as project lead, providing the Cabinet members with ongoing direction, project management, equipment, and other necessary items for the repair and rebuilding of two homes.

The duo spoke about the life changing ministry that takes place when volunteers are empowered to do God's work on behalf of others.

The time spent serving as volunteers in mission served as a reminder of the effect that the mission has not only on the homeowners but also on the faith-filled people who offer their time and talents.

To learn more about how you can get involved, check out the New England Annual Conference website.

United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) site also contains information ways to help and to give in support of this ministry. We've also added before and after pictures taken during the Cabinet's time in Vermont, visit the NYAC Flickr channel to check them out.

Happy Listening!

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ABOUT OUR GUEST(S)

Rev. Dr. Steve Young Dong Kim is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church, a member of the New York Annual Conference (currently serving at Pound Ridge UMC in Westchester County), and Chair of the NYAC Asian Council.

Rev. Dr. Grace Ji-Sun Kim is a prominent Korean-American theologian, author, and pastor who has made significant contributions to Christian thought, particularly in the areas of theology, social justice, and women’s issues. She is known for her work in the intersection of theology, race, and gender, and for being a strong advocate for the inclusion of marginalized voices in theological discourse.

Dr. Kim holds a Ph.D. in theology and is an expert in feminist theology, postcolonial theology, and contextual theology. Dr. Kim has taught at various academic institutions and has published numerous articles and books. More about Rev. Dr. Grace Ji-Sun Kim:

• Dr. Kim has written 23 influential books, including, her latest work, When God Became White: Dismantling Whiteness for a More Just Christianity, The Grace of Sophia: A Korean North American Woman's Christology; and Healing Our Broken Humanity. Her works address important issues such as, the impact of colonialism on Christian thought, the role of women in theology, and amplifying the voices of marginalized communities.
• As a feminist theologian, Dr. Kim engages with issues related to gender, race, and power within Christian theology. Her work emphasizes the importance of including diverse voices in theological discussions and highlights the significance of Korean and Asian-American perspectives in the broader Christian narrative.
• In addition to her academic and theological work, Dr. Kim is also a passionate advocate for social justice, particularly with regard to racial and gender inequality. She speaks out on issues of immigration, racial justice, and the empowerment of women in the church and in society.
• Dr. Kim is also an ordained pastor in the Presbyterian Church (USA), which has allowed her to integrate her theological insights into her ministry and pastoral work.

Rev. Dr. Grace Ji-Sun Kim’s work continues to influence contemporary Christian thought, particularly in the areas of theology, social justice, and the role of women in the church and Society.

BACKGROUND

Rev. Dr. Grace Ji-Sun Kim will facilitate the New York Annual Conference's 2025 "Mid-Lenten Retreat for Pastoral and Theological Reflection: Faithful Leadership in a Time Such as This" on March 20, 2025 at the Center at Mariandale in Ossining, New York.

During this one-day, highly interactive presentation, Dr. Kim will guide us through these pressing ques

Support the show

Please remember to subscribe, follow, and share link to your favorite episode with a friend. There's more good things to come, so stay tuned in to future episodes of All Things New.

We'd also appreciate your taking moment to rate and review "All Things New"on you preferred podcast app.

For more information and perhaps an even deeper dive on show-related topics, visit us online. And finally, to stay on top of news about God in our midst in the work of the New York Annual Conference, please subscribe to our communications newsletter for e-updates.

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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

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Please remember to subscribe, follow, and share link to your favorite episode with a friend. There's more good things to come, so stay tuned in to future episodes of All Things New.

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Thank you for your support!