As United Methodist seminarians, it is vital that we remain engaged with the "connexion." Below is a list of events and/or resources online which allow you to engage the UM connexion. If you hear of an event or know of a resource that is not included please email me (adreff@hoodseminary.edu), and I will add it to the page. Likewise, if a link is no longer active, please email me and I will work to find the active link.

United Methodist Communications

After the events in Charlottesville, VA, United Methodist Communications has been busy producing a number of resources for UM leaders.  Below are a number of resources that you can use in your churches and small groups for discussing the issues of racism and reconciliation.

1. They developed several articles, listed below, which cover the incident but also provide help and guidance on various fronts.

• Regarding Charlottesville
• Five tips for addressing racism with children
• Ways United Methodists can take a stand against racism
• At Sunday worship, pastors decry racism
• Church shelters protesters amid deadly turmoil

2. View the full page ad in The New York Times and USA Today from August 16th.

3. They created video ad spots on denouncing racism. View the :60 video and :30 video. (Consider sharing these through social media).

4. They launched a comprehensive landing page at UMC.org/EmbraceLove that provides up-to-date content on the response from across the church, including resources and helpful tips.

5. They distributed Bishop Ough’s statement and press release widely within the church. We shared UMW’s statement on PR Web.

6. They created/posted a “Love one another” meme at The United Methodist Church Facebook page Sunday night, which had reached nearly 1.4 million people by Thursday and garnered more than 167,000 engagements. We followed it up with a Facebook video campaign that launched yesterday. So far, it has reached more than half a million people and the video has been viewed 241,000 times.

General Commission on Religion and Race

The General Commission on Religion and Race has a number of online resources to help you navigate your ministry and ministry context in today's diverse society.

Check out their video series, "Vital Conversations." "Vital conversations are a direct connection between the three areas of GCORR’s Ministry Model–institutional equity, vital conversations, and intercultural competency–and the lived experiences of people around the world. Through these conversations, you are invited to engage in relevant and real conversations." (links below)

• Vital Conversations 1: Realities of Race and Racism. This Vital Conversations video series features contemporary theologians, sociologists, laity, clergy, and other thought-leaders dealing with challenges of race, culture, and oppression in the Church and world today. Click here to watch.

• Vital Conversations 2: Central Conferences. This series features leaders, pastors, theologians, activists, authors, and scholars from outside of the United States who share their stories, insights, and expertise on issues related to race, culture, tribe, and the global church. Click here to watch.

• Vital Conversations 3: Young Adults, Social Justice and the Church. This is a 14 part series designed to spark grassroots engagement and features study guides for each video that help small groups and individuals delve deeper into social issues. The presenters are aged 35 or younger and are activists, theologians, preachers, musicians, dancers, seminarians, and business entrepreneurs from Africa, Germany, and the U.S. Each talks about the search for areas that welcome, respect, and engage expressions of faith, spirituality, ideals, and community action. Click here to watch.

GCORR also offers a variety of discussion guides, group activities, infographics, and worship resources to help you and your congregation increase their awareness of the diverse world around them. Check out all they have to offer here.

General Commission on the Status and Role of Women

General Commission on the Status and Role of Women has free webinars! To register click here and follow their prompts.

• Manage Your Screen Time, Manage Your Life! This interactive webinar will provide tips and strategies for breaking away from your electronic devises. Learn ideas for reconnecting with those around you to improve your well-being. Thursday, September 7, 2017; 2:00 p.m. Central Daylight Saving Time. (3pm Eastern)

• Pastoral Care Visits: Are you spreading more than comfort? This interactive webinar provides helpful tips and hints to avoid spreading germs in the church setting. Tuesday, October 17, 2017; 2:00 p.m. Central Daylight Saving Time. (3pm Eastern)

• Understanding Anxiety and Depression. This interactive webinar will help identify signs and symptoms associated with anxiety and depression. Learn helpful hints and tools available that can help with these conditions. Tuesday, November 14, 2017; 2:00 p.m. Central Standard Time (3pm Eastern)

They also offer archived webinars on leadership. Click here to watch.

• COSROW 101
• Expansive Language: Biblical Names for God you Never Learned in Sunday School
• Legislation: How to Write and Submit Petitions for Annual or General Conferences
• How to Get Started with Advocacy, Education, and Monitoring
• Binders Full of Women: Creating and Utilizing a Talent Bank
• Monitoring Reports: Increasing Participation Through Gentle, Mutual Accountability
• Robert's Rules 101: Learning to Participate in Conference Legislative Sessions

Dr. Ashley B. Dreff, Director of United Methodist Church Studies & Student Recruitment

Contact Information: Email:adreff@hoodseminary.edu and Office: 704-636-6846 

United Methodist Church

Western North Carolina Conference of the The United Methodist Church

             - Western North Carolina Conference UMC's Information on Candidacy and Ordination

North Carolina Conference of the The United Methodist Church

            - North Carolina UMC's Information on Candidacy and Ordination

South Carolina Conference of the The United Methodist Church

            - South Carolina UMC's Information on Candidacy and Ordination

Holston Conference of the The United Methodist Church

Virginia Conference of the The United Methodist Church

            - Virginia Conference UMC's Information on Candidacy and Ordination

Memphis Conference of The United Methodist Church