#BeUMC

Did you know Rev. Karen Miyoshi Kagiyama was the first Asian-American woman to be ordained an Elder and be received into Full Connection as a clergy member of the Western NC Conference? In this short bio, Conference Archivist and Historian, Jim Pyatt, shares the story of Rev. Kagiyama and the impact she had on the Western NC Conference and greater United Methodist Church.

In this episode, Dr. Bill White, Jr., Conference Director of Equity and Justice Ministries has a conversation with members of the Just Compensation Task Force for an update on their petition for Annual Conference. Rev. Amy Coles, Assistant to the Bishop, Rev. Norma Villagrana, Chair of the Order of Elders and Rev. Brandon Lazarus share about the status of equitable compensation and the learning and proposals from the Just Compensation Task Force. More information will be shared at www.wnccumc.org/ac2022 as Annual Conference approaches and you can contact Brandon Lazarus at blazarus@wnccumc.org.

With generous support from the Reynolds Ministry Fund of the United Methodist Foundation of Western North Carolina, the Racial Healing and Reconciliation Learning Cohort will be offered again in Fall 2022. Interested churches are invited to complete an Interest Form providing basic information and describing their local church’s efforts in racial equity and justice. The framework for the Learning Cohort is a 6-step process for racial healing and reconciliation developed by Rev. Brian Tillman of the North Georgia Conference of the UMC. “Without racial healing, the wounds of racism will remain and will continue to inflict those who endure racism and those who benefit from it. We all need healing. It is the path to beloved community,” stated Rev. Tillman. To learn more or ask questions, please contact Cindy Thompson, Executive Director of Boundless Impact, at 336.209.1570 or cthompson@boundlessimpact.org.

Bishop Carter shares seven reasons he loves The United Methodist Church.