Commission on Religion and Race
Chairperson: Rev. Alicia Julia-Stanley & Rev. Susan L. Worrell
Report submitted by: Rev. Susan L. Worrell
Email: rev.s.worrell@gmail.com
Phone: (484) 883-7628
Date submitted: 07/12/2019
Recent Events & Activities
- April 2019 – Began conversations with the Prison Ministry and Restorative Justice Team to collaborate on viewing and discussing the film 13.
- April 15, 2019 -Conducted an orientation session for CR/CC Training & Resource Team.
- May 2, 2019 – CORR regularly scheduled meeting @ Conference Office
- May 5, 2019 – Conducted an orientation session for the CR/CC Mentoring Team.
- May 6-8, 2019 – Hosted the CR/CC Training & Resource Team Training led by Rev. Dr. Grace Park, GCORR Staff.
- June 13-15, 2019 – Crafted and delivered the NEJ Call to Action Progress Report.
- June 13-15 – Organized and led the Annual Conference Monitoring Team consisting of representatives of CORR, COSROW, and Disabilities Concerns.
Upcoming Events & Activities
- Our meeting dates all fall on the first Thursday of each month during the school year – please make note of these now! All meetings are scheduled at 1:-2:30pm. Most will be in-person gatherings at the EPA Conference Office. Some will be conducted via the video & phone conference platform, Zoom. These dates will be determined at our September meeting on September 5th.
- September 5, 2019
- October 3, 2019
- November 7, 2019
- December 5, 2019
- January 2, 2020
- February 6, 2020
- March 5, 2020
- April 2, 2020
- May 7, 2020
- June 4, 2020 (if needed)
- We are hosting and advertising the September 14th Event: Racism, Post-Traumatic Stress, & Transformation. This event is specifically designed for our brothers and sisters of color. Please advertise it widely. If you don’t see this on your district newsletter, pass it along to your DRA for inclusion as soon as possible. Thanks! Here is a further explanation of the event:
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- The conference Commission on Religion and Race and Office of Connectional Ministries will sponsor on Saturday, Sept. 14, an exploration of emotional distress and trauma caused in part by racist mistreatment, conflict and reactions, past and present. All people of color, clergy and laity, are invited to come to Simpson House (2102 Belmont Avenue, Philadelphia), 8:30 AM – 3 PM, to learn from the Rev. R. Dandridge Collins, Ph.D., M.Div., who will facilitate discussion. Collins is the author of The Trauma Zone: Trusting God for Emotional Healing. Cost for the session is $25.
- Another event CORR is facilitating and hosting is the Celebrating Cultures, Connecting People of Color: An intercultural family cookout for fellowship and fun!
RESCHEDULED for Saturday, September 7, 11 AM to 3 PM. at Innabah Camp & Retreat Center. More details coming!
Additional Information
Added three members to the commission for the coming conference year. One will serve as the liaison for the CR/CC Mentoring Team and one will serve as a liaison with the CR/CC Training & Resource Team.
CORR will continue to collect all data of activities related to and in compliance with the NEJ Call to Action goals
CORR will provide financial oversight and implementation of the CR/CC Ministry pilot program in concert with the Cabinet and the Director of Connectional Ministries.
Collaborations
- Organized and led the work of the Annual Conference Monitoring Team which included representatives from Conference Disabilities Concerns, Commission on Religion and Race, and the Commission on the Status and Role of Women.
- Currently collaborating with the Prison Ministry and Restorative Justice Team to bring a viewing and discussion of the film 13 to a conference wide audience.
- Continued to collaborate with the cabinet, GCORR, and the CR/CC Taskforce to develop and implement a pilot program of supporting training for CR/CC appointment making and beyond in the local church/
- Collaborated with the Bishop, District Superintends, and other Connection Ministries to gather data and formulate a report for Annual Conference on progress made toward the goals of the NEJ Call to Action.
- Arch Street UMC and Sabbath Solidarity Project. We serve on the leadership team for this initiative funded through a grant from GCORR. It includes the Whites Confronting Racism year long intensive work for 18 Euro-Am clergy as well as sabbath experiences for POCs working in justice related endeavors in Philadelphia
- Order of Elders through providing funding, organizing and promoting the upcoming workshop “Racism, Post Traumatic Stress and Transformation” for people of color – clergy, laity, and all community members.