The United Methodist Church has a long and rich history of concern for social justice, and North Little Rock First United Methodist Church is no different. This summer, NLRFUMC is proud to offer its First Annual Social Justice Summer Lunch and Learn Series. This series will begin on June 15 and will conclude on July 27. Each Tuesday will offer a different speaker and a different topic relating to social justice.
 
"I am so pleased to be able to offer this social justice series at NLRFUMC. The topics are timely and important for all of us, regardless of our individual beliefs, in order to continue to live in loving community with one another." - Rev. Lynn Kilbourne

Each Lunch and Learn will begin at noon and conclude by 12:45,
in order to accommodate lunch breaks. 

The schedule is as follows:

June 15: Racial Reconciliation with Rev. Betsy Singleton Snyder
June 22: The School to Prison Pipeline with Former Representative Brenda Gullett
June 29: Climate Change with Dr. Steven Strode
July 6: Asian American Pacific Islander Issues in Arkansas with Joshua Ang Price, Founder of Asian American Pacific Islander Democratic Caucus of Arkansas.
July 13: Social Justice During the Modern Time of Immigration with Vince Insalaco
July 20: Human Sexuality and the UMC with Rev. Lynn Kilbourne
July 27: Pay Inequality with Rep. Joyce Elliott

The range of topics and the expert speakers represent the best of the best to facilitate the discussion of these important subjects in today’s world. Our hope is to attract individuals from around the community to be able to continue discussions on hard and sensitive topics, speaking truth in love.

Participants are encouraged to bring their own lunch. Bottled water will be provided. Reservations are highly recommended and can be made by calling the church office at (501) 835-2201 or by emailing pastorannie@nlrfumc.org.






First Annual Social Justice Summer Lunch and Learn
June 15, 2021 | 12:00-12:45
Racial Reconciliation with Rev. Betsy Singleton Snyder

The 2020 Revised Social Principles of The United Methodist Church states:

"We condemn racism, ethnocentrism, tribalism, and any ideology or social practice based on false and misleading beliefs or ideologies that one group of human beings is superior to all other groups of human beings. Additionally, we utterly reject laws, policies, and social practices that marginalize, discriminate, and/or encourage the use of violence against individuals, communities, or other social groups based on perceived racial, ethnic, or tribal differences. We call on congregations and on pastors, bishops, and other church authorities to educate themselves about the root causes and manifestations of racism, ethnocentrism, and tribalism within communities of faith and to develop strategies for overcoming these kinds of social divisions. We likewise urge governments, businesses, and civil society organizations to renounce statements, policies, and actions aimed at promoting exclusion, discrimination, and violence."

On June 15, 2021, we welcome Rev. Betsy Singleton Snyder as our guest speaker as we learn more about racial reconciliation. Rev. Snyder is a United Methodist Elder and a white woman committed to the work of antiracism and racial justice. She will speak about the core, prophetic witness of early Methodism and anti-slavery and her own formation and the influence of Methodism in shaping her desire to work toward racial justice.

You are encouraged to bring your own lunch. Water bottles will be provided.
 Please RSVP at (501) 835-2201 or pastorannie@nlrfumc.org.