WMJM Supporting Global Voices
by Richard Bentley
With the support of generous donations, Western Methodist Justice movement has been supporting and encouraging global voices in The United Methodist Church.
The history of colonialism and US centrism within the United Methodist Church makes it critical for US based United Methodists to begin building relationship by listening to United Methodist leaders from outside the US. This is why WMJM has made this a key part of our work toward justice. Some things WMJM has done to amplify and empower these voices are:
• Hosting a webinar to hear from African voices about the United Methodist Africa Forum (UMAF) gathering last January in Tanzania.
• Helping the Christmas Covenant Team – primarily Central Conference leaders – to be heard since the team began in 2019. Communication and transportation grants have empowered this team’s work. The team’s regionalization plan has become the foundation for the primary regionalization proposal before the General Conference in Charlotte.
• Providing financial support for United Methodist leaders in Africa by supporting the UMAF gatherings. These leaders want to stay in UMC. Their gathering allows them to have unfettered dialog and an organized voice at General Conference. They were able to meet twice, in Johannesburg last April and in Tanzania this January.
• Partnering with United Methodists in Liberia, the heart of WCA/GMC work in Africa to disrupt and separate the United Methodist Church. Our grants for travel and organizing within Liberia allowed voices supporting unity in the UMC to counteract those seeking disaffiliation and separation.
At the General Conference in Charlotte next month, WMJM is taking a special interest in supporting the building of Global Relationships between delegates and other leaders. A global team of volunteers has led this effort. Their work includes:
• Offering Cultural Competency Training before and during General Conference to help cross barriers of culture and colonization.
• Providing experienced UM translators for conversations that happen outside of official General Conference settings. The LYNC translators will help people whose first European language is not English to both be heard and understand in informal hallway conversations, larger unofficial gatherings, written articles for delegates, legislative talking points, and discussion of possible legislation prior to its official submission.
• Promoting self-sustainability. Delegates from outside the US often bring crafts to sell to raise money for mission projects in their home country. A Worldwide Craft Market will be staffed by Global Relationship volunteers who will sell these crafts while delegates are in General Conference sessions. Watch for its online catalogue at www.worldwideumccraftmarket.com.
Developing global relationships and mutual understanding will become even more critical in the coming years. The United Methodist Church is reaching a milestone with half of its membership in the US and half of its membership outside the US due to decreasing membership in the US and continued growth in Africa and the Philippines. Indeed, the next regular General Conference in 2028 is expected to be the first in which a majority of the delegates will be from outside the US. By connecting with and learning to listen to United Methodists from around the world, WMJM is helping prepare for this future.