Racism shows up not only in the form of violence, but in the everyday experience of deeply rooted discrimination. As the antiracism team, we have met with pastors and leaders of color, we have heard from so many that you are tired and exhausted of continually fighting against racism. You are frustrated and dismayed of the little to no changes that are being made. And you are not surprised at all the pushback, denial and lies about racism not really existing in this day and age.

As the United Methodist Church in Iowa, we must do better. We must stand together to continue our work of becoming fully antiracist. We must stand against racism working for accessibility, belonging, inclusion, diversity, and equity. We must stand against racism working to improve our systems, policies, and practices. We must stand against racism to fight the forces of evil and injustice. We must stand against racism and commit to looking inward as the body of Christ examining our own views, confronting our own biases, confessing our part in light of the pain of racism that is deeply felt but too often ignored.

To stand together, we must stand up for one another, and recognize that racism is the great sin of our nation and our church. We must stand with individuals and communities of color that continue to endure discrimination and trauma.

We can have no church and no society worth celebrating unless we can guarantee freedom from fear for every person who gives this church their prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness.

The Iowa United Methodist Church must stand against racism and build a future that lives up to the highest ideals of kin-dom on earth evidenced by equality and justice.

Join the work of the antiracism team as we take a stand against racism creating a better, more just church and world for everyone.