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    United Methodists of Upper New YorkLiving the Gospel. Being God's Love.


    news article

    Rev. April Casperson calls laity to lead across difference in transformative address at UNY Annual Conference

    May 28, 2025 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    At the 2025 Upper New York Annual Conference Laity Session, held on Thursday, May 22, the Rev. April Casperson delivered a stirring and practical keynote aimed at equipping lay leaders to navigate differences with grace, purpose, and courage. Drawing from her deep experience as a Deacon in the West Ohio Conference as the Director of Enrollment Management at Methodist Theological School in Ohio, and longtime diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) consultant, Rev. Casperson offered a compelling vision for the Church’s future: one rooted in justice, shaped by equity, and grounded in the transformative love of Christ.

    A Scriptural Foundation for Unity in Diversity

    Rev. Casperson began by grounding the session in Romans 12:3–5, reminding participants that "we who are many are one body in Christ, and individually we are members of one another." She also introduced a rich interpretation of this passage through the First Nations Version, which speaks of being “message bearers” shaped by the Creator for different purposes, united in a shared spiritual calling.

    “This passage,” she emphasized, “is a reminder that belonging to one another is part of our Christian DNA. Our faith journeys are not solitary—they are shaped in relationship with God and with each other.”

    The Call to Intercultural Competence

    The heart of Casperson’s message was an invitation to build cultural competence—defined as the ability to understand, appreciate, and interact with people from different cultures or belief systems. This, she said, is a critical skill for today’s church, especially as congregations often no longer reflect the demographics of the communities around them.

    “Jesus reached across difference in every encounter,” she said. “Whether it was racial, gender, political, or cultural, he modeled a way of relating that broke down barriers. That’s the call of discipleship today.”

    Introducing JEDI: Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion

    In a creative and memorable twist, Rev. Casperson introduced the JEDI framework—Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion—as a spiritual and strategic pathway for lay ministry. Using vivid metaphors, she unpacked each term:

    • Diversity: “Any difference that makes a difference,” she explained, noting that every community already holds multiple overlapping identities—age, race, ability, housing status, language, addiction or incarceration history, and more. 
    • Equity: More than just equality, equity acknowledges that not everyone starts from the same place. Churches must be mindful of hidden barriers and create space for those new to the faith or different in background to belong and thrive. 
    • Justice: Rooted in Wesleyan theology, justice means fair treatment for all, equitable resource distribution, and using the church as a tool for both personal and social transformation. 
    • Inclusion: More than inviting people in, inclusion is about ensuring that all individuals are seen, heard, respected, and valued—creating true belonging within the church.

    The Church’s Challenge—and Opportunity

    Rev. Casperson didn’t shy away from the difficulties. Many churches, she acknowledged, are in decline or struggling with change. Others face deep theological or political divides. But she encouraged leaders to see these as adaptive challenges—opportunities for creative faithfulness rather than reasons to retreat.

    She described different kinds of churches, from polarized and hostile environments where differences are suppressed, to cautious and maintaining churches that resist innovation, to welcoming and growing churches that embrace conflict, lead through discomfort, and cultivate a culture of belonging.

    “If your church feels uncomfortable,” she said, “that may be the Spirit at work. Discomfort is often the soil in which growth begins.”

    A Pathway Forward

    Rev. Casperson outlined a practical two-step model for transformation:

    • Symbolic Change: Public statements, sermons, and community visibility that affirm a church’s values. 
    • Identity Change: Concrete actions such as inclusive budgeting, DEI training, program shifts, and leadership development.

    “The goal,” she said, “is not just checking a box. It’s shifting a church’s culture. It’s not about technical fixes—it’s about spiritual formation and communal transformation.”

    Ending with Reflection and Hope

    The session closed with small group discussions, as participants reflected on the dimensions of diversity that shape their own leadership. As the theme of the Annual Conference, “Believe…and see the glory of God,” echoed through the space, Rev. Casperson reminded the laity that their call is not merely to preserve institutions, but to bear witness to the inclusive and redemptive love of Jesus Christ.

    “Our faith is not just something we think—it’s something we live,” she concluded. “And it begins by reaching across difference and saying: ‘You belong here, too.’”

    Rev. Casperson invited laity to become leaders who cross boundaries, embrace diversity, and embody the full expression of the Church in today’s world.

    Click here to watch the livestream recording from Rev. Casperson’s learning session. Click here to download the PowerPoint slides shared during this session. Click here to view the covenant.

    TAGGED / 2025 Annual Conference


    United Methodists of Upper New York is comprised of a vibrant network of 677 local churches and active new faith communities in 12 districts, covering 48,000 square miles in 49 of the 62 counties in New York state. Our vision is to “live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to be God’s love with our neighbors in all places."