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Asbury UMC Arnold’s Anti-Racism Value Statement
Asbury UMC is striving to know and share God's love unconditionally, following Christ's example. All people are sacred, worthy, and are made by God, who created humanity in God’s own image. We recognize that people of color have been unjustly treated with a disregard for their humanity and divine value.
Racism is a sin. We envision a church where people of all races are treated equally and all voices are valued; where we honestly acknowledge our history in order to live more truthfully in the present; where healing and reconciliation are commonplace, the divine value of every individual is recognized, and social justice is upheld and honored.
We acknowledge and recognize that we must be purposeful and take action to make these values a reality—not only for Asbury UMC Arnold but for all people.
Read the full Anti-Racism Value Statement HERE.
We vow to be an Anti-Racist Church, to do better, to learn from our collective history, to continually educate ourselves and teach others, and to advocate for justice and equity. We are imperfect people and our work has just begun. We vow to pursue racial reconciliation, walking together in this difficult work, even when we are uncomfortable. We strive to love as Jesus loves.
Historical Reflection
We, Asbury United Methodist Church, acknowledge, lament, and repent of the ways we have contributed to racism. This includes but is not limited to ancestors who took land from the Susquehannocks (the indigenous peoples on what is now the Broadneck Peninsula); local farmers owning slaves and their inhumane treatment; segregated churches and schools with Asbury hosting the whites-only Arnold Elementary School; Asbury was a part of the Methodist Episcopal Church South; Asbury’s participation in minstrel shows through the 1950s; Asbury’s 1956 Deed that disallows those of “African Blood” and “Mongolians” to live on the property; and our acceptance of the unjust practices of the time. There have been times, past and present when our silence resulted in complicity. We recognize that as a predominately white congregation we historically benefited from white supremacy, white privilege, and participation in systems of inequality and inequity.
What can I do?
-Join the conversation at Be the Bridge
-Learn something new - Anti-Racism Resource Center
-Contact a Be the Bridge Leader with questions or to invite them to visit your group.
- Join Be the Bridge on Feb 19th (President's Day) for a trip to the African American History Museum in Washington DC and/ or join our next study.
- February 21, 2024 United Methodist 2024 MD Legislative Advocacy Day
Affordable Housing is a major issue in our area, and people of color are disproportionately affected by this. A recent attempt to address this issue was at the County Council with Bill 78-23 (Essential Worker Housing Act), unfortunately, this attempt was defeated. Legislative Priorities for Legislative Advocacy Day includes a housing bill
- Creation Care: Empower Maryland Program
- Gun Violence Prevention: Gun Industry Accountability Bill - SB0488
- Housing: MD Fair Chance in Housing Act of 2024 - HB0003 | SB0356
Join the Racial Reconciliation Collaborative for a Community Conversation: Does Voting Matter? with Rev. Dr. Weldon M. McWilliams IV ( RSVP by Feb 15,2024)
Resources for Racial Justice from the Baltimore Washington Conference
