"To be clear, the aim of reparation is not justice. Justice is not the goal. Community is the goal, and we cannot have community without first attending to the injustices that remain and that are in our power to heal." -- Rev. Brian Tillman.
Formed in response to thoughtful discussion at Annual Conference 2022, a reparations work group has been working over the last year to address injustice and racism. The group of 16 members includes lay and clergy from across our Conference. The first meeting was held at Central United Methodist Church over two days in September. The group has met regularly since then. You can read about their work over the last year in the articles below.
The members divided into four working sub-groups. One group identified models of reparations in other conferences, denominations, and organizations. A second vetted the recommendations for appropriateness and efficacy in the culture of the conference.
A third explored the history of racism in North Georgia. They have created a series of videos highlighting historical stories about racism and how the Conference has moved in the past to begin the work. View these incredible stories now:
The Reparations Task Force brought a list recommended actions before the members of 2023 North Georgia Annual Conference. Each of these actions was approved and adopted by the Annual Conference.
Carol Allums
Pamela Perkins Carn
Julie Childs
DuWanna Thomas
Dr. Robert Foster
Rev. Woojin Kang
Rev. Yvette Massey
Rev. Ash McEuen
Rev. Nathalie Nelson Parker
Rev. Dr. Beth LaRocca-Pitts
Rev. Juan Quintanilla
Rev. Donald Reed
Rev. Dr. Vance P. Ross
Rev. Dalton Rushing
Rev. Jasmine Smothers
Jennifer Coffee
Resource Members:
Rev. Dr. Anne Burkholder, Research
Rev. Dr. Susan Landry, Cabinet Representative
Rev. Brian Tillman, Conference Staff
Facilitator:
Rev. Dr. Curtiss Paul DeYoung
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Formed in response to thoughtful discussion at Annual Conference 2022, a reparations work group has been working over the last year to address injustice and racism. The group of 16 members includes lay and clergy from across our Conference. The first meeting was held at Central United Methodist Church over two days in September. The group has met regularly since then. You can read about their work over the last year in the articles below.
The members divided into four working sub-groups. One group identified models of reparations in other conferences, denominations, and organizations. A second vetted the recommendations for appropriateness and efficacy in the culture of the conference.
A third explored the history of racism in North Georgia. They have created a series of videos highlighting historical stories about racism and how the Conference has moved in the past to begin the work. View these incredible stories now:
- "They Refused to Let Me In..." Rev. Dr. Paul Easley
- Glisson 1962 Race Relations Retreat
- Native Americans and the North Georgia Conference
The Reparations Task Force brought a list recommended actions before the members of 2023 North Georgia Annual Conference. Each of these actions was approved and adopted by the Annual Conference.
- Recommended Standing Rules Amendment from the Reparations Task Force
- Legacy Mergers and Disposition of Property or Red Oak UMC
The Task Force Members:
Nate AbramsCarol Allums
Pamela Perkins Carn
Julie Childs
DuWanna Thomas
Dr. Robert Foster
Rev. Woojin Kang
Rev. Yvette Massey
Rev. Ash McEuen
Rev. Nathalie Nelson Parker
Rev. Dr. Beth LaRocca-Pitts
Rev. Juan Quintanilla
Rev. Donald Reed
Rev. Dr. Vance P. Ross
Rev. Dalton Rushing
Rev. Jasmine Smothers
Jennifer Coffee
Resource Members:
Rev. Dr. Anne Burkholder, Research
Rev. Dr. Susan Landry, Cabinet Representative
Rev. Brian Tillman, Conference Staff
Facilitator:
Rev. Dr. Curtiss Paul DeYoung
News
"They Refused to Let Me In..." Rev. Dr. Paul Easley // North Georgia Reparations Task Force
5/26/2023
Hear the story of one of our Black pastors who was refused entry into worship at a White church in North Georgia around 1960 and how the church sought to begin to heal the hurt in 2018. Long-form Video Shorter Trailer Video Podcast Format The Reparations Task Force has created a series of videos highlighting historical stories about racism and how the Conference has moved in the past to begin the work. Now is time to continue that work until racial healing is realized in our Conference.
Reparations Task Force Continues Work and Study with Definitions, Framework, and Witness
4/19/2023
Formed in response to thoughtful discussion at Annual Conference 2022, the Task Force will bring a report to the 2023 Annual Conference session By Latoya Damon The Reparations Taskforce gathered on March 10 and 11 at Central UMC in Atlanta to continue their discussion on actionable steps toward restoring our beloved communities through racial healing and reconciliation. Curtis Paul DeYoung, a co-facilitator of the taskforce and the co-author of Radical Reconciliation: Beyond Political Pietism ...
Reparations Task Force Continues Work and Study with Historical Report, Agape Framework
2/6/2023
Formed in response to thoughtful discussion at Annual Conference 2022, the Task Force will bring a report to the 2023 Annual Conference session By Latoya Damon On January 21, 2023, the Reparations Taskforce assembled for the third time to discuss pathways toward a healed and beloved community freed from the divisive injustices of the past. During this meeting the group was debriefed by its historical subcommittee on ongoing projects and future plans to excavate the historical narratives of ...
Reparations Task Force Begins Work in the North Georgia Conference
10/25/2022
Formed in response to thoughtful discussion at Annual Conference 2022, the Task Force will bring a report to the 2023 Annual Conference session Many people remember learning the story of Zacchaeus through the popular children’s song. It is a song with many meanings, including Christ’s encompassing and redeeming love, and the great lengths that Zacchaeus went to see Jesus. Rev. Vance P. Ross, the pastor of historic Central United Methodist Church in Atlanta and chair of the Conference ...
Staff
