racial dialogue circle
John 17:20 “I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, ...26 I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”
Sundays 12:30 beginning July 11th Mt. Olive UMC and Real Community Church are coming together to engage in racial dialogue circles aimed at fostering connections, friendships, and real actionable plans to help heal our lands.
ITS STILL WITH US
Over the past year racial divides have been brought to the forefront of our national consciousness. Yet, as soon as the echo from the gavel in the Derek Chauvin case faded we seem to have moved on as a nation. There are still those unheard and there is still a gap that divides. The church is meant to be God's response to injustice in the world and yet Sunday morning continues to be the most segregated time of the week. If we want to see change it begins with us the church!
No other structure on earth can cross racial, economic and social boundaries like the church! This Racial Dialogue Circles is about capitalizing that strength and living in to Jesus prayer found in John 17 I pray that they maybe one.
To seek that oneness Pastor Andrew Morrel of the Real Community Church and I have invited Rev. John Smith and Gustanna Moss Cheney to lead us in a Racial Dialogue Circle that will last for six weeks. But it won't be all talk. A key component of this dialogue is together developing an actionable plan. What that will look like will be up to all of us.
The group will be twelve participants in total taken from both churches. Pastor Morrel and myself will be learning alongside as we seek to strength racial harmony and address injustices in our community through the power of Jesus Christ and the unity of his church!
We do hope you will join us on this journey to facilitate transformative friendships, conversations, and action!
If you have questions I will be making myself available after services the next two Sundays or you can just give me a call 765-669-1407. Prayerfully consider joining us July 11th through August 15th on this amazing journey!
Blessings,
Pastor Andrew Morrel
Pastor Rob Barton
ITS STILL WITH US
Over the past year racial divides have been brought to the forefront of our national consciousness. Yet, as soon as the echo from the gavel in the Derek Chauvin case faded we seem to have moved on as a nation. There are still those unheard and there is still a gap that divides. The church is meant to be God's response to injustice in the world and yet Sunday morning continues to be the most segregated time of the week. If we want to see change it begins with us the church!
No other structure on earth can cross racial, economic and social boundaries like the church! This Racial Dialogue Circles is about capitalizing that strength and living in to Jesus prayer found in John 17 I pray that they maybe one.
To seek that oneness Pastor Andrew Morrel of the Real Community Church and I have invited Rev. John Smith and Gustanna Moss Cheney to lead us in a Racial Dialogue Circle that will last for six weeks. But it won't be all talk. A key component of this dialogue is together developing an actionable plan. What that will look like will be up to all of us.
The group will be twelve participants in total taken from both churches. Pastor Morrel and myself will be learning alongside as we seek to strength racial harmony and address injustices in our community through the power of Jesus Christ and the unity of his church!
We do hope you will join us on this journey to facilitate transformative friendships, conversations, and action!
If you have questions I will be making myself available after services the next two Sundays or you can just give me a call 765-669-1407. Prayerfully consider joining us July 11th through August 15th on this amazing journey!
Blessings,
Pastor Andrew Morrel
Pastor Rob Barton
Group Facilitators
Gustanna MossChaney
Gustanna Moss Chaney is an advocate, communicator, and servant leader. For at least 30 years, I have used my gifts, talents and skills in the realm of social justice.
I was born in Hopkinsville, KY. Raised in Indianapolis, IN.. Graduated North Central High School and earned a bachelor's degree in business administration and master's degree in business management from Indiana Wesleyan University. I have one son and one grandson.
I am happy to be employed by E4 Potential Living for more than 5 years by facilitating racial dialogues.
Gustanna Moss Chaney enjoys dancing, encouraging, exercising, reading, serving in and outside the church, and storytelling.
I was born in Hopkinsville, KY. Raised in Indianapolis, IN.. Graduated North Central High School and earned a bachelor's degree in business administration and master's degree in business management from Indiana Wesleyan University. I have one son and one grandson.
I am happy to be employed by E4 Potential Living for more than 5 years by facilitating racial dialogues.
Gustanna Moss Chaney enjoys dancing, encouraging, exercising, reading, serving in and outside the church, and storytelling.
Rev. Dr. John A. Young
While serving at Uindy he earned his Doctor of Ministry at CTS. He was pastor at St. Matthew in Anderson, and Riverside in Muncie before retiring in August 2019. He now attends St. Luke’s UMC in Indianapolis and volunteers with the Red Cross in disaster spiritual care. He is married to Missi Young and has two grown sons.
Group Hosts
Church Planter - Lead Pastor R.E.A.L Community Covenant Church
I love seeing the big picture and watching the pieces slowly come together to form a beautiful mosaic. It's a privilege to watch God paint His picture.
Why REAL?
As Christians we are called to embody the reconciliation of all things as a diverse group of people. God called me to plant a church along with others who are committed to the kingdom vision of seeking heaven on earth in my hometown. This is the call!
Fun fact
I was shot in the face with a .45 caliber handgun in 2003. God spared my life and I am eternally grateful!
I love seeing the big picture and watching the pieces slowly come together to form a beautiful mosaic. It's a privilege to watch God paint His picture.
Why REAL?
As Christians we are called to embody the reconciliation of all things as a diverse group of people. God called me to plant a church along with others who are committed to the kingdom vision of seeking heaven on earth in my hometown. This is the call!
Fun fact
I was shot in the face with a .45 caliber handgun in 2003. God spared my life and I am eternally grateful!
Pastor Rob Barton
I have a passion for God's love and justice to be done in this world. God brings this about through us his church a restorative community that strives to live out the love of God and neighbor in a way that is transformative and disciple making.
I am a United Methodist Pastor for nearly 20 years. I serve as chair of the Indiana Camping Ministries one of my greatest privilege's. And my greatest joy is being the husband of a wonderful wife and dad to five awesome people!
Fun Fact
Well I can't compete with a .45 to the face WOW! I need to hear that one Pastor Morrell. But I love long distance hiking and I'm a Shodan of Shuri Ryu Okinawan martial arts and love a good physical challenge.
I have a passion for God's love and justice to be done in this world. God brings this about through us his church a restorative community that strives to live out the love of God and neighbor in a way that is transformative and disciple making.
I am a United Methodist Pastor for nearly 20 years. I serve as chair of the Indiana Camping Ministries one of my greatest privilege's. And my greatest joy is being the husband of a wonderful wife and dad to five awesome people!
Fun Fact
Well I can't compete with a .45 to the face WOW! I need to hear that one Pastor Morrell. But I love long distance hiking and I'm a Shodan of Shuri Ryu Okinawan martial arts and love a good physical challenge.