Charter for Racial Justice

      What is the Charter for Racial Justice?

The Charter for Racial Justice can be printed and used as a study on racism.

The Charter for Racial Justice was created and adopted by the Women's Division (now United Methodist Women) of the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries in 1978. The Charter was adopted by the whole denomination at the 1980 General Conference.

The Charter for Racial Justice says that “racism is a rejection of the teachings of Jesus Christ” and that “all women and men are made in God’s image and all persons are equally valuable in God’s sight.”  

United Methodist Women have always been deeply committed to the ongoing work of racial justice. United Methodist Women seek to be in right relationship with one another. United Methodist Women work together for the transformation of church and world, following the teaching and example of Jesus Christ.

Racial Justice Timeline

The Racial Justice Timeline is an excellent United Methodist Women’s resource that contains important moments of Racial History in the United States and United Methodist Women. This Timeline gives a brief history of the racial injustices of our country over the past 150 years and about some ways that the women of the Methodist tradition that have worked for racial justice.  See if you find these amazing women in the Timeline:  Mai Gray, Theressa Hoover, J. Ernest Wilkins, Carolyn Johnson, Ellen Barett.   United Methodist Women from its beginnings has tried to build a community and social order without racial barriers, as this timeline shows.

Native American Land Acknowledgement

A Native American Land Acknowledgement Priority Plan has been developed.  You can find it HERE.  This is first step on a journey of seeking reconciliation and healing with the Indigenous People.  You will also find a list of Queries for Native American Land Acknowledgement HERE.  As Todd Barrett suggested, we should allow the Spirit to take us along this journey.

To raise awareness of the Charter for Racial Justice, Oregon-Idaho United Methodist Women give a Charter for Racial Justice award each year to honor a person, congregation, or group that exhibits the principles of the Charter.

Read more about the Charter for Racial Justice here

Our Oregon-Idaho Charter for Racial Justice Award Recipients

Charter Award 2022 Recipient:

Judy Halverson, a member of Hillview UMC in Boise Idaho, is the 2022 recipient of the Charter for Racial Justice Award for her work in collaborating with the Greater Northwest Circle of Indigenous Ministries. Through her persistent efforts, a Native American Land Acknowledgement Priority Plan for the Oregon Idaho Conference United Women in Faith has been developed and adopted.

Charter Award 2021 Recipient:

Cesie Delve Scheuermann, Salem, Oregon, is the 2021 recipient of the Charter for Racial Justice Award. Scheuermann’s vision and organizational leadership in creating a long-term virtual study on Race and Racism through Salem’s First UMC’s “Modern Christian Life” class.  Resources are videos, essays, movies, books, and speakers.

Charter Award 2020 Recipient:

Joanne Stewart, member of Gresham United Methodist Church, Gresham, Oregon, is the Recipient of the 2020 Charter for Racial Justice Award. She created an educational program titled “A History of the African American Experience in Oregon” and has presented it in the Gresham community.

Charter Award 2019 Recipients:

1. Cynthia McCleod, Fremont UMC, Portland, Oregon, started classes on Courageous Conversations to help white people have conversations about race, and to awaken people to the issues of institutional racism and white privilege. 
2. Mary Lynne Ball, a member, Meridian UMC, Meridian, ID introduced Congolese refugees into the church and created opportunities for Congolese women to tell their stories to United Methodist Women and Church Women United

Charter Award 2018 Recipients:

1. Rev. Linda Tucker,  Medford UMC, Medford, OR for confronting inappropriate and unjust racist behavior
2. Rev. Adam Briddell, Eugene UMC, Eugene, OR for working tirelessly with community leaders to eradicate the root causes of racism
3. Trish Jordan of Wilshire UMC Native American Fellowship for her advocacy for Native American women and development of Red Lodge Transition Services

Charter Award 2017 Recipients:          

1. Katie Kissinger, Gresham UMC, Gresham, OR, for her work developing "Freedom Camp" for children 
2. Yuni Rueda, Wilder United Methodist, and a student at Western Oregon State University for her ongoing advocacy for Hispanic immigrants.

Charter Award 2015 Recipient:

1. Pathways Ministries, Director of Spiritual Formation, Linda Dove, from Tigard United Methodist Church.

Charter Award 2014 Recipients:

1. Church members and tutor of Jason Lee Memorial UMC, Blackfoot, ID for their work with Lillian Valley Indian School.
2. Bonnie Becker, Westside UMC, Beaverton, OR for her work with Hispanic Ministries

Charter Award 2012 Recipients:

1. Rockwood United Methodist Church--work with Centro De Milagros Congregation

2. Rev. June Fothergill--work with Wilder Hispanic Ministry

3. Rev. Al Trachsel--work with Lower Snake River Hispanic Ministries

Charter Award 2011 Recipients:

1. Eva Johnson and Gloria Marple

2. Community Dinner Table, Lee Hammett, Jason Lee UMC, Blackfoot, Idaho

3. Peg Lofsvold and Montavilla UMC 

Charter Award 2010 Recipient:

1. Mira and Eric Conklin, Cornellius UMC

Charter Award 2009 Recipients:

1. Sandra and Quenton Kimbrow, Pendleton UMC and Milton Freewater Wesley UMC

2. Carol L. Potter, Gresham UMC

3. Ruth Chamberlin and the Afterschool Mentoring Program, Klamath Falls, UMC

4. Alan and Karen Morris, Christ UMC, Portland

5. Lorrie Baer, Whitney UMC

United Women in Faith/United Methodist Women Mission Resources Page with downloadable resources for the Charter for Racial Justice