Dear Los Angeles First United Methodist Church,
I am grateful for our Bishop’s leadership, especially in these intense and challenging times. Removing the mask of white supremacy from the face of our nation is challenging work, and it is causing so many of us to take critical looks at our own lives, privilege, and blind spots. The church is just as complicit, as systemic racism is imbedded in the church's culture, opportunities, and expression.
I am thankful that our Bishop is open to acknowledging the need for the church to repent, so that we can begin the process of atoning.
Tomorrow at 1:00 PM, Bishop Hagiya is organizing a national video witness for Black lives.
Our Annual Conference is gathering to record a video litany at 1:00 PM
Tomorrow, Sunday, June 14
at Faith UMC: 1713 W. 108th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90047
If you are willing and able, you are invited to attend. Our live stream will be held from 10:30-11:30 AM, and will finish in time for travel to the Witness. I will hold the Zoom coffee hour, but will do so while in transit.
Thank you for your prayers, your work, your witness, and your grace.
If you haven’t yet seen it, we invite you to consider joining the 21 Day Racial Equity Challenge: https://www.lafirstumc.org/black-lives-matter-resources-for-becoming-anti-racist
With hope,
Mandy
Bishop Hagiya's Invitation: Witness for Black Lives
A group of Bishops and other leaders across the United Methodist Church have organized a national video witness for black lives that involves multiple Annual Conferences. This group has requested the participation of the California-Pacific Conference to video record its portion of the witness.
Therefore, I would like to invite those who are willing and able to our Conference's video recording of a litany this coming Sunday, June 14, 2020, at 1:00PM, which will take place outdoors, socially distanced, in the parking lot of Faith United Methodist Church (1713 W 108th St., Los Angeles, CA 90047-4414).
Because it is a video recording, I have to let you know that your image might be used for the purpose of this national video witness and your being present will be an acknowledgment of your giving us consent for such use.
I know that this is a last-minute invitation. We have had to move quickly to put this together and we know that this, as well as our current situation with the pandemic, might prevent many of us from being able to be present. However, I would ask that those who are willing and able be present to show our nation the diversity, conviction, and values of the California-Pacific Conference of The United Methodist Church.
As our theme for our upcoming 36th Annual Session of the California-Pacific Conference states, "We are the Church: Transforming the World!"
Let us walk together in living out this theme in this way.
Be the Hope,
Bishop Grant J. Hagiya
Los Angeles Area Resident Bishop