ABOUT OUR GUEST(S)

Rev. Dr. Steve Young Dong Kim is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church, a member of the New York Annual Conference (currently serving at Pound Ridge UMC in Westchester County), and Chair of the NYAC Asian Council.

Rev. Dr. Grace Ji-Sun Kim is a prominent Korean-American theologian, author, and pastor who has made significant contributions to Christian thought, particularly in the areas of theology, social justice, and women’s issues. She is known for her work in the intersection of theology, race, and gender, and for being a strong advocate for the inclusion of marginalized voices in theological discourse.

Dr. Kim holds a Ph.D. in theology and is an expert in feminist theology, postcolonial theology, and contextual theology. Dr. Kim has taught at various academic institutions and has published numerous articles and books. More about Rev. Dr. Grace Ji-Sun Kim:

• Dr. Kim has written 23 influential books, including, her latest work, When God Became White: Dismantling Whiteness for a More Just Christianity, The Grace of Sophia: A Korean North American Woman's Christology; and Healing Our Broken Humanity. Her works address important issues such as, the impact of colonialism on Christian thought, the role of women in theology, and amplifying the voices of marginalized communities.
• As a feminist theologian, Dr. Kim engages with issues related to gender, race, and power within Christian theology. Her work emphasizes the importance of including diverse voices in theological discussions and highlights the significance of Korean and Asian-American perspectives in the broader Christian narrative.
• In addition to her academic and theological work, Dr. Kim is also a passionate advocate for social justice, particularly with regard to racial and gender inequality. She speaks out on issues of immigration, racial justice, and the empowerment of women in the church and in society.
• Dr. Kim is also an ordained pastor in the Presbyterian Church (USA), which has allowed her to integrate her theological insights into her ministry and pastoral work.

Rev. Dr. Grace Ji-Sun Kim’s work continues to influence contemporary Christian thought, particularly in the areas of theology, social justice, and the role of women in the church and Society.

BACKGROUND

Rev. Dr. Grace Ji-Sun Kim will facilitate the New York Annual Conference's 2025 "Mid-Lenten Retreat for Pastoral and Theological Reflection: Faithful Leadership in a Time Such as This" on March 20, 2025 at the Center at Mariandale in Ossining, New York.

During this one-day, highly interactive presentation, Dr. Kim will guide us through these pressing questions, and engage in meaningful conversation on the intersections of faith, race, and nationalism. Together, we will discern how our Christian witness can meet the challenges of this moment in history with courage and clarity.

There is an option to arrive on March 19 at the Center at Mariandale and stay overnight to take part in dinner and a pre-event conversation with Dr. Kim.

Register to attend today

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Understanding Ballot #3: Article V: Racial Justice

In this conversation with Rev. Dr. Giovanni Arroyo (General Secretary for The United Methodist Church’s General Commission on Religion and Race and Rev. Doris K. Dalton (Director of Connectional Ministries, New York Annual Conference) offer details on Ballot #3: Article V: Racial Justice.

At the United Methodist Church's General Conference held in April-May 2024, delegates approved significant amendments to the church's constitution, including updates to Article V concerning racial justice. This amendment strengthens the church's commitment to addressing and eliminating racism in all its forms.

Text of Article V: Racial Justice (as approved in 2024):

"The United Methodist Church proclaims that from God’s goodness and love, God created all persons as God’s unique and beloved children. Racism opposes God’s law, goodness, and love and diminishes the image of God in each person. Fueled by white privilege, white supremacy, and colonialism, the sin of racism has been a destructive scourge on global society and throughout the history of The United Methodist Church. It continues to destroy our communities, harm persons, obstruct unity, and undermine God’s work in this world. Racism must be eradicated. Therefore, The United Methodist Church commits to confronting and eliminating all forms of racism, racial inequity, colonialism, white privilege, and white supremacy, in every facet of its life and in society at large."

BACKGROUND

Significance of the Amendment: This amendment reflects The United Methodist Church's dedication to confronting and eliminating racism, striving to embody God's love and justice in all aspects of its life and mission.

• Explicit Acknowledgment: The revised Article V directly names "white privilege," "white supremacy," and "colonialism," confronting historical and systemic injustices within the church and society.
• Active Commitment: It calls for proactive measures to dismantle racist structures, promoting a culture of accountability and healing within the church community.
• Historical Reconciliation: By addressing past complicity in systemic racism, the church seeks reconciliation and unity, aligning with broader societal movements for racial justice.

For this constitutional amendment to become official, it requires ratification by a two-thirds affirmative vote from the aggregate members of the annual conferences. This process ensures that the commitment to racial justice is embraced throughout the global denomination.

Please listen to the entire podcast, access the resources below, and do the work needed to learn more to inform and affirm your vote at the New York Annual Conference's 226th Annual Conference Session on June 6-8, 2025 in Stamford, Connecticut.

RESOURCES:

• About Rev. Dr. Giovanni Arroyo
• The General Commission on Religion and Race
• Proposed Constitutional Amendments
• Resource UMC Explains Ballot #3: Article V: Racial Justice
• Living Out Article V: Liturgy & Litany: A Downloadable PDF (including The Great Thanksgiving, Anti-Racism Litany, Affirmation

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Watch a video of this podcast. Please remember to like, share, and subscribe to our NYAC YouTube Channel

Understanding Why Immigration Justice Matters to United Methodists

In this conversation with Rev. Paul Fleck (Executive Director, Immigration Law & Justice NY) and Rev. Doris K. Dalton (Director of Connectional Ministries) offer details why immigration justice is so much more than a political issue for United Methodists.

Listen to this entire podcast to get the details needed to inform and educate your local congregations and laity as we all strive to live more fully into our United Methodists beliefs.

BACKGROUND

Immigration justice is an important issue for United Methodists because it aligns with their core values of compassion, justice, and care for the vulnerable. The United Methodist Church (UMC) believes in standing for the rights and dignity of all people, including immigrants and refugees. There are several reasons why immigration justice matters to the UMC:

1. Biblical Teachings: The Bible has many passages that call for welcoming the stranger and caring for those who are marginalized. For example, Leviticus 19:34 instructs, "The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God." United Methodists see this as a direct call to support immigrants and refugees.

2. Advocacy for the Vulnerable: The UMC emphasizes social justice and the importance of advocating for those who are most vulnerable in society, which includes immigrants. The church believes in promoting policies that protect the rights of immigrants, including refugees and asylum seekers.

3. The United Methodist Social Principles: The UMC's Social Principles call for justice and compassion in all aspects of life, including immigration. The church advocates for humane and just immigration policies that uphold the dignity of every person and promote fairness, due process, and family unity.

4. Welcoming All: United Methodists are encouraged to create communities that welcome all people, regardless of their background or immigration status. This includes providing sanctuary and support for those who are at risk of deportation, as well as working toward comprehensive immigration reform that ensures fairness and dignity for all.

5. Global Mission: United Methodists are part of a global church, and many members are part of immigrant communities. The church seeks to engage with global issues, such as migration, recognizing that many of the root causes of immigration are tied to violence, poverty, and injustice in other countries. By addressing immigration justice, the UMC can support solutions that tackle these global problems.

6. Connection to Methodist Heritage: The United Methodist Church has a long history of advocating for justice, including issues related to human rights. Immigration justice continues this tradition of standing up for vulnerable populations.

Ultimately, for United Methodists, immigration justice is not just a political issue but a matter of living out their faith and commitment to the values of love, justice, and service to others.

RESOURCES

• About Rev. Paul Fleck
• Immigration Law & Justice New York
• A Time for Courage, Endurance, Strength and Conviction: A Message from Bishop Bickerton
• What the UMC Believes About Immigrants and Migrants

Watch a video of this podcast. Please remember to like, share, and subscribe to our NYAC YouTube Channel