A.C.T. Now: Unite To End Racism

United Methodists, as a part of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, will gather in Washington, D.C., for a historic event to launch a Truth and Racial Justice Initiative. As we mark 50 years since the assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on April 4, 1968, we will commit to do our part to eradicate the entrenched racism that grips the United States and paralyzes our ability to see every human being as equal.

We challenge ourselves and our communities to join in truth-telling which leads to actions that right the wrongs, and, with God’s grace, bring healing and wholeness to all people, and unity to the nation.

April 3-5 is only the beginning. The #Rally2EndRacism is the launch of a comprehensive, multi-year program to address racism in our nation.

Register & promote

For the most up-to-date United Methodist information, we ask that you register here.

Please also share that link when inviting others so that we might provide the most complete and accurate information for United Methodists as a part of this ecumenical effort. As information is made available, that page will get updated, and, closer to the dates of the event, reminders and updates will be emailed to the list of people who are registered on that site.

We’ve also created this flyer that you’re welcome to use to advertise for the event.

Schedule at-a-glance

Be sure to visit our the event page for the most up-to-date schedule.

Tuesday, April 3: Prayer and Service of Repentance

• 1-2 p.m.: General Board of Church and Society and General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR) briefing on issues addressed in the ACT Now platform @ the United Methodist Building (Classrooms 1 & 2), 100 Maryland Avenue, NE, Washington, D.C. 20002
• 2-3 p.m.: UMC Prayer Witness with the Council of Bishops on the steps of the United Methodist Building, 100 Maryland Avenue, NE, Washington, D.C. 20002
• 6 p.m.: Orthodox Christian Bridegroom Service of Holy Tuesday @ St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 2815 36th St., NW, Washington, D.C., 20007
• 8 p.m.: Then and Now: An Ecumenical Gathering to End Racism, St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 2815 36th St., NW, Washington, D.C., 20007

Wednesday, April 4: ACT to End Racism Rally on the National Mall at 12th Street

• 7-8 a.m.: Silent prayer walk from the MLK Memorial to the National Mall. United Methodists will meet at the MLK Memorial gift shop at 6:50 a.m. and join the walk as one.
• 8-9 a.m.: Interfaith service. The United Methodist meeting point is at the UMC tent on the Mall behind the stage.
• 9 a.m.-4 p.m.: Rally and Call to Commitment. The rally will progress in a way that will help us A.C.T.: awakening to acknowledge racism as a sin, confessing to confront racism, remembering Dr. King and renewing our commitment (noon) and telling the truth that leads to transformation. View the program outline and speakers.

Thursday, April 5: National Day of Advocacy & Action

Even though Congress is on recess, participants may wish to make legislative visits. Call 202.224.3121 for both the Senate and the House to make appointments.

• 9 a.m.-noon: UMC networking and conversation led by GCORR and Church and Society, United Methodist Building, Conference Rooms 1 & 2, 100 Maryland Avenue, NE, Washington, D.C. 20002
• 8:30-11 a.m.: NCC training: How to Do Effective Legislative Visits (location TBD)
• 1-2:30 p.m. and 3-4:30 p.m.: NCC workshops. Each workshop will be offered twice to accommodate schedules for legislative visits. 1. Moral Framing for Action and Advocacy; 2. Tools for Disrupting Racism – Internal Conversation for White People; and 3. Finding our Voices – Grassroots Organizing for People Under 18

Learn more about the National Day of Advocacy & Action.

If you are bringing a bus, please register your bus here.

If you wish to volunteer at the event on April 4, please register here.

Additional details about the event (without the United Methodist focus) may be found here.