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UNY CCORR and Rev. Michelle Ledder from GCORR launched Imagine No Racism 2.0 training

September 9, 2019 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

On Saturday Sept. 7, 2019, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., about 40 participants from the 2018 Imagine No Racism (INR) initiative attended a training for INR 2.0 at the Upper New York United Methodist Center in Liverpool.

The day began with a brief time of worship. Member of the Conference Commission on Religion & Race, the Rev. Dr. Scott Johnson used the Bible verses Luke 10:25-37 as a premise to discuss what it means to engage in anti-racism work. Referring specifically to Luke 10:27, Rev. Johnson said, “We are not to just appreciate, tolerate, acknowledge or respect our neighbor, we are to love our neighbor.”

The day’s training was led by the Rev. Michelle E. Ledder from the General Conference Commission on Race and Religion (GCORR). As a Director of Program Ministries at GCORR, Rev. Ledder crafts and facilitates initiatives focusing on the Institutional Equity priority of GCORR's Ministry Model. She works to help all levels of the Connection create the beloved community with systems, policies, and processes that level the playing field for everyone.

Rev. Ledder began the training by asking attendees to reflect on their previous INR sessions with her and brainstorm the areas of resistance and areas that needed content clarity. When long lists were made for each area, Rev. Ledder led a discussion on ways to attend to resistance and ways to address clarity.

The attendees spent much of the day participating in one of the six sessions that is part of the INR 2.0 curriculum, led by Rev. Ledder. She said, “You can’t facilitate [the INR 2.0 groups] if you haven’t participated.”

All attendees were given the INR 2.0 67-page curriculum as well as a guide that included several additional resources for anti-racism allies compiled by the UNY CCORR members and GCORR.

If you either facilitated or participated in the 2018-launced INR initiative and were unable to attend this GCORR-led training and are interested in facilitating INR 2.0 groups, you can attend one of the following trainings led by trained UNY CCORR leaders. Each event takes place from 10 a.m. through 3 p.m.

Sept. 14:

Batavia UMC (Niagara Frontier District) with Dr. Scott Johnson and Georgia Whitney

Endwell UMC (Binghamton District) with Rev. Harold Wheat and Dr. Blenda Smith

Sept. 21:

Christ Church; Olean (Cornerstone District) with Charles Syms and Georgia Whitney

Canton UMC (Northern Flow District) with Dr. Scott Johnson and the Rev. Harold Wheat 

Sept. 28:

Plattsburgh UMC (Adirondack District) with Dr. Blenda Smith and Georgia Whitney

Oct. 5:

Saratoga Springs UMC (Adirondack District) with the Rev. Harold Wheat and Charles Syms

Click here to register for the event you wish to attend.