Why Should the Church Talk About Racial Injustice? We invite you to spend a few minutes with Pastor Rockford as he shares from his heart about the Biblical foundation for exploring the questions and realities of racial injustice together with leadership from this team and why our Scripture calls us to give some time and attention to this exploration.
Current Opportunities:
Just Action Team Book Studies // We’re working on potential summer studies. Check back soon for updates!
JAT Resource List // There are a multitude of resources available for us to learn about racism in America and how to best confront it. This resource list compiled by the JAT executive team includes books for all ages, movies, videos, podcasts, and more. We invite you to dive deeper and continue your journey. // Click here for the resource list.
Monthly Newsletter // The Just Action Team sends out a monthly email newsletter detailing new study group options, speaker events, action opportunities and resources. If you would like to receive this email, please fill out the “join the team” form below and you will be added.
Discussion Group (ON HOLD) // Michelle Dykes, one of our JAT Executive Team leaders will be leading a weekly or bi-monthly discussion group over zoom. We know that this topic leads to a lot of questions and feelings and it’s important to have a safe place to process what we’re learning, share stories, discuss current events, and share resources we find. If you’re interested in being part of this discussion group, email Michelle at mdykes@mcfarlinumc.org.
Dream Clock Curriculum // The Just Action Team plans to lead group studies using Dr. Clarence Hill’s Dream Clock curriculum. Dr. Hill’s book and study materials will be released this summer and we’ll keep you up the date when we have dates and details finalized for those groups.
Join the Team
If you would like to serve on the Just Action Team or receive updates about what the team is doing on a regular basis, please submit the form below.
JAT Media and Mission Statement
- WATCH: Pastor Rockford and co-chairs Vernon Hooks and Harris Philips how the Just Action Team fits into our vision at McFarlin.
- READ: CALL TO ACTION by the UMC Council of Bishops
- WATCH: McFarlin’s Call to Action Against Racism (recorded June 2020)
The Just Action Team’s purpose is to lead McFarlin in living out the United Methodist Church’s call to action concerning racism found in the Book of Discipline where it states that we“shall confront and seek to eliminate racism, whether in organizations or in individuals, in every facet of its life and in society at large.”
The Just Action Team will fulfill this purpose through education opportunities at McFarlin and actions in the community. The Just Action Team affirms that racism is never a part of God’s plan and we can only accomplish our goals with God’s help.
- This team will include some who volunteer and others whom we recruit, all with the aim of bringing together different skills, viewpoints, life experiences and cultures. We will consult with McFarlin leadership, United Methodist Conference leaders and leaders of diverse communities to help form our team.
- This team will discern how God desires for our church to move forward with specific, substantial and faith-based actions to change the lives of our Black brothers and sisters and the world in which they live and move and breathe.