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

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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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Understanding Why Immigration Justice Matters to United Methodists

In this conversation with Rev. Paul Fleck (Executive Director, Immigration Law & Justice NY) and Rev. Doris K. Dalton (Director of Connectional Ministries) offer details why immigration justice is so much more than a political issue for United Methodists.

Listen to this entire podcast to get the details needed to inform and educate your local congregations and laity as we all strive to live more fully into our United Methodists beliefs.

BACKGROUND

Immigration justice is an important issue for United Methodists because it aligns with their core values of compassion, justice, and care for the vulnerable. The United Methodist Church (UMC) believes in standing for the rights and dignity of all people, including immigrants and refugees. There are several reasons why immigration justice matters to the UMC:

1. Biblical Teachings: The Bible has many passages that call for welcoming the stranger and caring for those who are marginalized. For example, Leviticus 19:34 instructs, "The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God." United Methodists see this as a direct call to support immigrants and refugees.

2. Advocacy for the Vulnerable: The UMC emphasizes social justice and the importance of advocating for those who are most vulnerable in society, which includes immigrants. The church believes in promoting policies that protect the rights of immigrants, including refugees and asylum seekers.

3. The United Methodist Social Principles: The UMC's Social Principles call for justice and compassion in all aspects of life, including immigration. The church advocates for humane and just immigration policies that uphold the dignity of every person and promote fairness, due process, and family unity.

4. Welcoming All: United Methodists are encouraged to create communities that welcome all people, regardless of their background or immigration status. This includes providing sanctuary and support for those who are at risk of deportation, as well as working toward comprehensive immigration reform that ensures fairness and dignity for all.

5. Global Mission: United Methodists are part of a global church, and many members are part of immigrant communities. The church seeks to engage with global issues, such as migration, recognizing that many of the root causes of immigration are tied to violence, poverty, and injustice in other countries. By addressing immigration justice, the UMC can support solutions that tackle these global problems.

6. Connection to Methodist Heritage: The United Methodist Church has a long history of advocating for justice, including issues related to human rights. Immigration justice continues this tradition of standing up for vulnerable populations.

Ultimately, for United Methodists, immigration justice is not just a political issue but a matter of living out their faith and commitment to the values of love, justice, and service to others.

RESOURCES

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Understanding Paragraph 4 Article 4 Ballot #2

In this conversation with Rev. Dr. Denise Smartt Sears (Director of Leadership Development and Accountability, United Methodist Church’s General Commission on the Status and Role of Women and an ordained elder and member of the New York Annual Conference) and Rev. Doris K. Dalton (Director of Connectional Ministries, New York Annual Conference) offer details on Paragraph 4 Article 4 Ballot #2

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.

Text of Paragraph 4 Article 4 Ballot #2 approved at General Conference held in 2024

Inclusiveness of the Church - The United Methodist Church is a part of the church universal, which is one Body in Christ. The United Methodist Church acknowledges that all persons are of sacred worth. All persons without regard to race, gender, ability, color, national origin, status or economic condition, shall be eligible to attend its worship services, participate in its programs, receive the sacraments, upon baptism be admitted as baptized members, and upon taking vows declaring the Christian faith, become professing members in any local church in the connection. In The United Methodist Church, no conference or other organizational unit of the Church shall be structured so as to exclude any member or any constituent body of the Church because of race, color, national origin, status or economic condition.

The amended portion of the Constitution adds ability and gender to existing social categories that clergy in The United Methodist Church cannot use to discriminate against a potential member. Said another way, a pastor may not deny a person membership in the church because they have a disability, are female or male, married or single, young or old.

BACKGROUND

At the Postponed 2020 General Conference, the legislative gathering voted to add the words "gender" and "ability" to Paragraph 4, Article IV of The United Methodist Church's Constitution. Now what? This historic vote now needs to be ratified by all the annual conferences across the worldwide connection. A 2/3 majority vote is required by counting the votes from every voting member.

GCSRW is encouraging United Methodists across the world to better understand why ratifying the United Methodist Constitution to amend Paragraph 4, Article IV to include the words "gender" and "ability" protects membership for all people.

When it comes time to vote at your upcoming Annual Conference session in June, vote "yes,"on Ballot #2 to make sure nobody is excluded from membership in The United Methodist Church for any reason.

RESOURCES

• About Rev. Dr. Denise Smartt Sears

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Ballot #3: Article V: Racial Justice

Rev. Doris K. Dalton (NYAC Director of Connectional Ministries) recently sat down with Karen Prudente, laity and member of Christ United Methodist Church, for an informative conversation on the topic of worldwide regionalization—a package of legislation that gives The United Methodist Church’s different geographic regions equal decision-making authority.

The topic is among the most discussed and far-reaching of the measures that will before Annual Conference voters this summer.

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 Annual Conference on June 6-8, 2025 in Stamford, Connecticut.

Regionalization would require changes to more than 20 paragraphs in the denomination’s constitution. But just as at General Conference, annual conferences will vote on all of the amendments on a single ballot.Under regionalization, the U.S. and each central conference — church regions in Africa, Europe and the Philippines — would become regional conferences with the same authority to adapt parts of the Book of Discipline, the denomination’s policy book, for more missional effectiveness. Just as is now the case in the U.S. and each central conference, each regional conference would consist of multiple annual conferences.

Among other things, each regional conference would be able to:

1) Publish its own hymnal, book of worship and regional Book of Discipline.
2) Set requirements for ordination and licensed ministry of pastors.
3) Set standards for lay membership.
4) Develop practices around marriage ceremonies, funerals and other rites in line with understanding of Scripture and the laws in each country.
5) Work with annual conferences to ensure policies and practices align with the laws in each country.

RESOURCES

• About Karen Prudente
• Amending the United Methodist Constitution
• Proposed Constitutional Amendments
• How is the United Methodist Constitution Amended?
• Worldwide Regionalization Talking Points – from the Connectional Table
• UMC Infographic on Regionalization
• Article: General Conference Gives Regionalization Green Light
  
  

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