Epworth has a multi-decade history of conversations about race and racism, including educational workshops, congregation-wide book studies, film discussions, and panel discussions about racial identity. 

In May/June 2020 in the wake of George Floyd’s murder, our congregation began to pursue a number of short- and long-term efforts to raise Epworth’s collective racial consciousness and pursuit of justice.  

One of these efforts was a series of Holy Conversations on Race, Racism, and Racial Justice in the Fall of 2021. It was in these conversations that we became familiar with the Wesleyan model of Holy Conferencing, reflecting on questions together in breakout groups, often after a short presentation, while discerning the wisdom of the Holy Spirit throughout. Over the series, 18 Epworth members offered presentations or led panel discussions, while at least 90 other persons–reflecting the diversity in age, gender, and racial/ethnic background of the congregation–participated in a hybrid setting.

The Holy Conversations series culminated in the development and adoption of the following racial justice mission statement in December of 2021.