Racial Justice
As disciples of Jesus Christ who honor the sacred worth of all people and love our neighbors, The Grove United Methodist Church, through education and action to heal our broken world, is an advocate for racial justice and equity, cultural transformation, and an inclusive community.
Growing Goodness through Racial Justice Work
Mission Statement
As disciples of Jesus Christ who honor the sacred worth of every person, The Grove United Methodist Church seeks to love our neighbors through education and action that heal our broken world. We advocate for racial justice and equity, nurture cultural transformation, and work toward an inclusive and beloved community.
Vision Statement
Growing Goodness through Racial Justice Work
Living Out Our Call
At The Grove, we believe growing goodness includes growing justice. Our Racial Justice Team helps our congregation live into Jesus’ call to love God and neighbor by learning, listening, and taking action together. This work is spiritual work and it deepens our understanding of God’s image in every person and calls us to dismantle systems that harm and divide.
How We Grow Goodness
We build awareness and understanding through book and film discussions, and guided conversations, and field trips locally and nationally that help us see the world through one another’s eyes.
We put our faith into action through partnerships with local organizations and neighboring congregations, joining ongoing efforts that promote equity, inclusion, and community healing.
Together, we strive to embody God’s transforming love in tangible ways, within The Grove and beyond.
Join the Work
The Racial Justice Team meets monthly to plan, learn, and discern next steps. Whether you’re just beginning to explore this work or have long been engaged in it, you are welcome here.
To learn more or get involved, contact Pastor Laura (lhannah@thegrovemn.church)
The Grove's Land Acknowledgement
The People of The Grove United Methodist Church acknowledge that our church sites are located on the ancestral home of the Wahpekute Dakota people who continue to live on and steward this land as they have for generations.
We acknowledge the history of trauma the Dakota people suffered due to unjust practices by the government of the United States and complicity of North American Christianity including progenitors of the United Methodist Church. This trauma is not just historic, it is also generational and contemporary. These unjust practices are inconsistent with The Grove’s mission to Grow Goodness.
We acknowledge the sanctity of Dakota heritage, their connection to the land and their unique ability to serve as examples of land stewardship as well as supportive, connected communities.
The Grove United Methodist Church commits to making connections with Indigenous people and to listen to their stories and learn how we can help address the errors of the past and make a better today and tomorrow for Indigenous people.
Resources
“The Road of Healing” (Resources for the Journey) – based on chapters & chapter titles from “The Racial Healing Handbook” by Anneliese A. Singh
- Embarking on the Journey: Know Yourself
- Mile Marker 10: Explore Internalized Racism
- Mile Marker 20: (Re)learn the History of Racism
- Mile Marker 30: Raise Your Race Consciousness
- Mile Marker 40: Catch Yourself in the Flow
- Mile Marker 50: Engage in Collective Healing
Resources for checkout in the Justice Library
Click the link above to see what resources are available to checkout from The Grove Justice Library, found at the Woodbury Location in the Gathering Room.
Resources from the General Commission on Religion and Race
Social Justice Kids Starter Kit (contains information to share with your kids on what to say to disrupt injustice and recommendations for Antiracist/Anti-bias books for every age and stage)