Racism forum:
'Admitting our problems
in honesty and love'
By Annette Bender
GRAY, Tenn. - According to some Holston members, racism doesn't exist in their church or district or conference, so there's really nothing to talk about.
But if the concerns and confessions expressed at a recent forum are any indication, racism is alive and well in Holston - and we've only just begun to talk.
More than 125 clergy and lay members representing churches from every district attended a conferencewide forum at Gray United Methodist Church entitled, "Conversations About Racism: Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors. Really?"
The Nov. 20 gathering was sponsored by the Religion and Race Committee, Outreach Advocacy Team, and Wesley Institute. Bishop James Swanson served as the opening speaker, acknowledging that many parishioners are "tired of the subject" and would prefer to "let sleeping dogs lie."
"Racism doesn't dwell in my heart. It dwells in someone else's heart," Swanson said. "Why can't we just move on?"
He answered, "Because it is the church's responsibility and our calling to work for transformation in the world ... We are called to boldly deal with things the rest of the world doesn't want to deal with.
Calling the 11 a.m. worship time on Sunday morning "the most segregated hour in America," Swanson said racism is a "morally wrong sin" that in today's society is pervasive, chameleon-like and "hard to spot." Racism destroys the person who harbors the sin as well as the victim, he said.
"It denies the unity and solidarity of humanity as perceived by God in the creation of Adam and Eve," he said. "There's no need for us to talk about going to heaven if we can't figure out how to live together here on earth."
Participants responded to Swanson's comments with "Amen" and applause.
Following Swanson's message, participants were assigned to one of 10 small groups, where they discussed personal experiences in racism. Later, participants re-gathered in the sanctuary, where spokespersons representing each small group summarized their own discussions.
Representatives spoke of how acts of racism involve African Americans and Latinos as well as Native Americans, Muslims and other groups. They spoke of the need to celebrate diversity while promoting equality. They even noted how difficult yet necessary it is to love the people who practice racism - to "tolerate the intolerant."
The three-hour gathering concluded with Holy Communion and the hymn "One Bread, One Body." An offering of $573 was collected to enable Holston clergy to attend the "Convocation for Pastors of African American Churches," to be held Jan. 4-7 in Atlanta. Bishop Swanson will be among the convocation's speakers.
After the forum, organizers and participants joined in saying the gathering was "a good beginning" and that follow-up forums should be organized soon.
"What we're hearing is that we really need to take this discussion to the districts," said the Rev. Ramon Torres, chair of the Religion and Race Committee and senior pastor at the hosting church, Gray UMC (Johnson City District). "If we want to effect change, then more churches and more people need to be involved."
"Fellowship around this topic is something that normally doesn't happen at all," said the Rev. Alan Jones, pastor at Asbury UMC (Oak Ridge District). "What we heard today is that we are all connected at the point of the cross with our mutual suffering ... We must continue the discussion, and then do some slam-dunking."
On anonymous evaluation forms, participants noted that the most helpful part of the gathering was "admitting our problems in honesty and love" and "recognizing that racism is often silent."
"On a personal level, I needed to be here ... to deal with my quiet racism," one participant admitted.
"Those of us gathered here desire to do what we can to improve relations," another participant wrote.
Finally, one evaluation respondent had this to say when asked for suggestions:
"Don't let this enthusiasm and heart-disturbing event end with this one conversation."
Annette Spence Bender is editor of The Call, available at (865) 690-4080 or thecall@holston.org.
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