Commission on Ethnic Minority Concerns and Advocacy
The 2010 Annual Conference voted to support a new direction for the Commission on Ethnic Local Church Concerns and Commission on Religion and Race. In the past, both commissions have had responsibility for working with annual conference boards and agencies, districts, and local churches as they seek to develop programs and policies of racial and ethnic inclusiveness, advocacy, and ministry support. As of July 1, 2010, the two commissions merged to form one new body: the Commission on Ethnic Minority Concerns and Advocacy (CEMCA).
The mission of the CEMCA is to serve as a prophetic voice for the full and equal participation of ethnic and racial constituents into the total life and mission of the Virginia Annual Conference (its churches, boards and agencies, and institutional and connectional structures) by educating, advocating, and holding to account God’s church to inclusivity as God’s intended design for all structures and processes, towards the work of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world in word and deed.
The United Methodist Church is the instrument and servant of God’s creative spirit in our communities, districts, regions, and at state levels. Our goal is to make visible God’s gift of unity of all people in Jesus Christ and the quality of community that God wills for the whole human family. Church diversity is one platform to change the way we think, live, learn, and work together.
Click here for the plan of work adopted by the Commission in February 2011. This plan lists specific goals, objectives, and strategies which will guide the Commission’s future work.
The General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR) and the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women (GCSRW) have developed an Equity Impact Assessment Form which can be used on the annual conference and local church levels. The tool provides a means for systemic examination of how different racial/ethnic and gender groups will likely be affected by a proposed action or decision. Click here for a copy of the form (pdf).
For more information about the work of the General Commission on Religion and Race, visit http://www.gcorr.org
For additional information in the area of Racial Ethnic Local Church Concerns under the General Board of Discipleship, visit http://www.gbod.org and select “Minister to People.”
If you have concerns regarding racial/ethnic ministries within our Conference or need assistance with ministry development or advocacy, please feel free to share them with the Commission through the Office of Leadership and Inclusivity. For additional information about Virginia Conference ministries, visit the specific pages of our website for inclusivity or contact Martha Stokes at marthastokes@vaumc.org or by phone at (800) 768-6040 ext. 153 or (804) 521-1100 ext. 153.
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