Believers in Action
Carlisle UMC Believers in Action affirm that all people are made in the image of God and have equal value in God's eyes.
believers in action to end racism
Opportunities in support of the United Methodist Church Initiative to End Racism.
believers in action in support of diversity and inclusion
LGBTQ+ Gonna Go Through this TOGETHER
Believers in Action is forming a group of families and friends of LGBTQ persons. This group seeks to learn how we can support and walk beside each other on our journey as we listen to each other's stories. If you are interested in joining this group, please fill out this form and we will contact you with more information. Meetings are currently held the third Monday of every month, 6-7pm in the Large Conference Room (dates are subject to change).
Believers mission statement
We affirm that all people are made in the image of God and have equal value in God's eyes. We believe our church should be a leader in addressing issues in our society that undermines these Christian principles. We will encourage others to join us in creating a more equitable and just society by listening to, learning about, and loving all our brothers and sisters as Jesus taught us. This is the only way to LIVE LIKE JESUS.
Believers seeks to share where our United Methodist connection currently stands on these issues while confirming our desire to seek more racial and gender equality at CUMC, our local community, and beyond.
To join the conversation at CUMC, contact Sharon Edwards:
recent events
Ending Racism
April 30, 2024 - Reaching Across the Racial Divide: Two Families, One Story
175 members of the community joined CUMC with the social action group Moving Circles to hear from the authors of "Cousins," Betty Kilby Baldwin and Pheobe Kilby. Connected through slavery, a black woman and a white woman discover their past - and each other. Together they have worked to dismantle racism and to bring about Beloved Community. Their biographical books are, "Cousins," authored by both, and "Wit Will, and Walls," by Betty.
November 9, 2023 - HBCU College Fair
BiA offered financial support and volunteers for the day long fair, designed to provide information on various colleges and career opportunities to area high school students. The UMC has been a long time supporter of HBCUs.
November 12, 2022 - Dear Denise, Letters to the Sister I Never Knew
CUMC hosted a presentation by Lisa McNair whose sister, Denise, was killed in the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, AL in 1963
October 6, 2022 - Carlisle Area HBCU/HIS College Fair
BiA provided financial support and volunteers for the fair, sponsored by the YWCA and Hope Station. The UMC is a long-time financial supporter of Black Colleges and Universities. More info here.
March 14, 2022 - Conversations with Drew Hart
Conversations with Dr. Drew Hart, Theologian and Author of Trouble I've Seen and Who Will Be a Witness? View video here.
diversity, equity and inclusion
February/March 2023 - Faithful and Inclusive: A Believers in Action 6 Week Study
Session II. This study helps participants gain an understanding of how United Methodists can be both obedient to scripture and fully welcoming of LGBTQ persons in church. Each person will explore and develop their own perspectives on the Bible's controversial passages related to homosexuality and practice compassionate dialogue.
October 26, 2022 - Engaged, Not Enraged
Zoom based discussion hosted by Bethel AME Church in Carlisle, addressing how Christians can remain engaged in the world of politics without becoming enraged. It was attended by several BiA members.
October 17, 2022 - BiA/CUMC hosted the screening of the film, "Purple"
Facilitated by Moving Circles, which tells the story of Americans with opposing viewpoints confronting their disagreements head-on and discovering the concerns and experiences that lie behind each other's positions. The film and conversation is designed to build empathy and civil engagement without dismissing honest disagreement.
Oct/Nov 2022 - Faithful and Inclusive: A Believers in Action 6 Week Study
This study helps participants gain an understanding of how United Methodists can be both obedient to scripture and fully welcoming of LGBTQ persons in church. Each person will explore and develop their own perspectives on the Bible's controversial passages related to homosexuality and practice compassionate dialogue. (Watch for upcoming dates)
August, 2022 - LGBTQ+ Gonna Go Through This Together
Support group was launched.
January 2022 - Grant Awarded
BiA was awarded a $2,000 grant through the Conference to help diversify the Little Lights area with toys, books, and artwork.
November/December 2021 - Survey Conducted
Conducted a survey of congregational attitudes and perceptions about racism and inclusivity.
May 2021 - Reconciling Community
BiA members agreed unanimously to become a Reconciling Community within CUMC.
resources on inclusion & diversity
- Laity and Clergy grassroots initiative in the Susquehanna Annual Conference (CUMC's regional body): www.susumcnext.org
- UMC Next national organization: www.umcnext.com
- Reconciling Ministries Network of the United Methodist Church: www.rmnetwork.org
- The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church (2016), Paragraph 4, Article IV of the Constitution, Inclusiveness of the Church - The United Methodist Church is a part of the church universal, which is one Body in Christ. The United Methodist Church acknowledges that all persons are of sacred worth. All persons without regard to race, color, national origin, status, or economic condition, shall be eligible to attend its worship services, participate in its programs, receive the sacraments, upon baptism be admitted as baptized members, and upon taking vows declaring the Christian faith, become professing members in any local church in the connection. In the United Methodist Church no conference or other organizational unit of the Church shall be structured so as to exclude any member or any constituent body of the Church because of race, color, national origin, status or economic condition.
- Future with Hope - Presentation by Adam Hamilton and Panel Discussion. Hosted by "That We May Be One" in Texas.
resources on racism
- Dismantling Racism efforts in Susquehanna Annual Conference (CUMC's regional body): www.susumc.org/endracism
- UMC National organization United Methodists Stand Against Racism: www.umc.org
- The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church (2016), Paragraph 5, Article V of the Constitution, Racial Justice: The United Methodist Church proclaims the value of each person as a unique child of God and commits itself to the healing and wholeness of all persons. The United Methodist Church recognizes that the sin of racism has been destructive to its unity throughout its history. Racism continues to cause painful division and marginalization. The United Methodist Church shall confront and seek to eliminate racism, whether in organizations or in individuals, in every facet of its life and society at large. The United Methodist Church shall work collaboratively with others to address concerns that threaten the cause of racial justice at all times and in all places.
social justice books available in the cumc library
Nonfiction:
• Dunbar-Ortiz, Roxanne. An Indigenous People’s History of the United States 2014
• Hart, Drew. Trouble I've Seen: Changing the Way the Church Views Racism 2016
• Hart, Drew. Who will be a Witness? 2020
• Holliday, Laurel. Children of the Dream 2019
• Hurston, Zora Neale. Barracoon: the Story of the Last Black Cargo 2018
• Kendi, Ibram. How to be an Antiracist 2019
• McManis and Sorrell. Indian No More 2019
• Skloot, Rebecca. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (2) 2010
• Stevenson, Bryan. Just Mercy (2) 2014
• Tolan, Robbie. No Justice 2018
• Truax, Eileen. Dreamers: An Immigrant Generation's Fight for Their American Dream 2015
• Wilkerson, Isabelle. Caste: The Origins of Our Discontent (2) 2020
Autobiography/Biography:
• Angelo, Maya. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings 1969
• Baldwin, James. The Fire Next Time 1963
• Lee, Justin. Torn: Rescuing the Gospel from the Gays vs. Christians Debate 2012
• Shetterly, Margot Lee. Hidden Figures 2016
• Truth, Sojourner. Ain't I A Woman 1851
Fiction:
• Thomas, Angie. The Hate U Give (Young Adult) 2017