news article

Upper New York Imagine No Racism through preaching contest

December 9, 2019 / By Rev. Harold Wheat

Early in the New Year, Jan. 15-Feb. 29, 2020, the Upper New York Conference Commission on Religion and Race (CCORR) will welcome submissions of sermons designed to call out and dismantle racism. A panel of judges will recognize the sermon that most effectively engages and motivates listeners to imagine and build a world free of racism. The Pastor, Lay Preacher, or Deacon preaching this sermon will be honored at Annual Conference.  Excerpts of the sermon will be shared in a variety of ways. The individual who delivers the winning sermon will also be given collaborative access to our Conference staff to develop a promotional video for their church.  

Our Upper New York CCORR Imagine No Racism campaign has identified several conceptual tools that help us move beyond common defenses white people employ to avoid real conversation about racism.  Submitted sermons should display familiarity with concepts of implicit bias, the importance of focusing on structural racism rather than limiting one’s focus to personal feelings, and the reality of white privilege.  If you have not had an opportunity to experience the INR Curriculum, classes are forming—contact your District office for more information.

Creative use of our Scriptural heritage and Social Principles will also be noted in our judging process.  

Sermons should be in mp4 format and can be emailed to marydalglish@unyumc.org.