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Missions & Outreach

And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” - Matthew 25:40

Church & Society

2nd Monday of each month, 7 pm, Room 225, Education Center via Zoom

New committee members are always welcome to join us as we work in areas of important social concern, developing resources to inform, motivate, and train United Methodists on issues of social justice in the society

Social Principals 2020

Social Justice

As Christians we are called to love our neighbor, and today it is clear that love must include our attention to systemic racism. This is not easy, and most of us aren't sure how to get started. 

We have compiled some resources for those seeking to take the next step in their understanding and discussions surrounding race relations. The list is comprehensive and also subject to updates as new resources come to light. 

END RACISM RESOURCES

Becoming Anti-Racist

Know Your Bias

We all have biases. They are our experiences that turn into our habits that turn into our instincts.

  • Explicit Bias
    Explicit Bias

    Explicit biases are our conscious attitudes and beliefs about a person or group. Often these biases and the expression of them arise as the result of a perceived threat.  

  • Implicit Bias
    Implicit Bias

    Many of our biases are implicit and form blind spots in our interactions with individuals as we move through the world. These biases which encompass both favorable and unfavorable assessments, refer to our unconscious attitudes or stereotypes that effect our understanding, actions and decisions. 

    Take an Implicit Bias test: 
    implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/
    secure.understandingprejudice.org/iat/

    Learn More:
    ted.com/talks/verna_myers_how_to_overcome_our_biases_walk_boldly_toward_them
    hbr.org/video/2515962123001/the-costs-of-racial-color-blindness

  • Diversity
    Diversity

    Diversity means all the ways in which we differ. It includes both the readily visible differences and the underlying differences that may be below the surface. 

    Examples of visible diversity include: physical attributes, gender, race, and age.

    Some examples of diversity that may be "below the surface" include: religion, sexual orientation or identity, life experience, family status, skills, beliefs, education, and perspectives.

  • Challenge
    Challenging our Biases

    First and foremost, remember that we are ALL God’s people, and that we ALL have biases.  Exposing ourselves to those different from us provides an opportunity to learn and grow - to challenge our preconceptions, to build empathy and to gain understanding.

    We can all do things to bring awareness to our implicit biases.

    Seeking out interactions with groups of individuals different from ourselves is one of the key ways we can dispel the conscious (explicit) and unconscious (implicit) beliefs that give rise to our biases. We encourage and challenge you to take part in activities to interact with and learn more from people who are different than you and who are also a part of our community! 

    A few suggestions:
      •  Take a shopping trip to an international grocery store at Richardson’s Chinatown, Coit & Spring Valley, or Main Street & Greenville. Stop in and see what they have to offer!
      •  Dine at a locally-owned international restaurant. There might be one right around the corner. Maybe you’ve driven by it and never stopped in. Have a bite to eat and visit!
      •  Experience another culture through a faith tradition.  While this can seem intimidating, it can open the door to new insights into our differences and our commonalities, and it can be an opportunity for not only fellowship, but dialog and new friendships. FUMCR is a member of Richardson Interfaith Alliance. Visit richardsoninterfaith.org and sign up for updates.
      •  Attend a cultural event in our area. Festivals can feature food, music, as well as demonstrations of shared and different cultures and histories. Visit Dallas (visitdallas.com/about/diverse-dallas/index) can point you to upcoming events.
      •  Travel! One of the great equalizers in understanding other cultures, inspiring transformation, and building empathy is through direct experience of another culture. Rick Steves has written extensively about this in his book, Travel as a Political Act. Barack Obama discussed why travel matters with BBC in April 2019. Watch at  bbc.com/travel/story/20190425-barack-obama-on-why-travel-matters.

The Cradle-to-Prison Pipeline

The cradle to prison pipeline can be defined as “the life trajectory that makes it more likely for a poor child of color to end up in prison than his white peers not because of his lack of potential but simply because of the access he has to opportunity due to race and family income.” Source: UT Austin Texas Institute for Child & Family Wellbeing

Opportunities abound in North Texas for making a positive impact at any stage of the “pipeline” and breaking the cycle of incarceration. Below is a list of area organizations that would greatly benefit from volunteers or donations from individuals, groups and businesses.'

Initiatives We Support

AIDS Supper Club

Friday dinner, bi-monthly, for residents of AIDS Services of Dallas Hillcrest House.
Volunteers prepare a dish at home and/or go to the facility, serve, and eat dinner with the residents. Volunteers meet at the church at 4:45 p.m. to go to the Oak Cliff resident facility and return about 8:00 p.m. Contact Dee Weaver at 972.996.0159 or dweaver@fumcr.com to help.

Body & Soul

Weekly Sunday meal served to homeless individuals at 4 pm at Dallas’ St. Paul UMC.
Cooking teams serve one Sunday each month, from 2-5 pm.
Coordinators serve one Sunday each month, from 3-5 pm, to transport the servers on a church bus.
Individuals and groups may offer to serve the meal and clean up on a regular or one-time basis, and ride with the coordinator on a church bus. 3-5 pm.
Contact  for more information or to volunteer.

New Friends New Life

Provide dinner once each quarter for ongoing program for women who have escaped the sex industry. New Friends New Life Website 

People in Need (PIN) Fund

FUMCR’s resource to assist people who walk in or call seeking emergency financial assistance.
Volunteers contribute money to the fund. Contact  for information.

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