Community Justice
Serve God by doing scroll-dropping, table-turning, and cross-bearing ministry!
Resurrection’s Community Justice Ministry (CJM) was birthed by the desire of our congregation to CLOSE THE KINDNESS AND JUSTICE GAP as articulated by our Vision 2030! We will address injustices and building bridges of healing in our city so that Kansas City looks more like the Kingdom of God. We will model for our community and world what it looks like to truly love our neighbors and practice the words of Micah 6:8 to “do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with God.”
Our goal is to pursue justice so that Kansas City will be more like the Kingdom of God. Community Justice supports a Christian response to complex environmental, social, and economic challenges in Johnson, Wyandotte (Kansas) and Jackson (Missouri) counties.
Community Justice supports a Christian response to complex environmental, social, and economic challenges. Our actions are rooted in scripture that reminds us that the earth is the Lord’s (1 Corinthians 10:26 and others), that we are to take care of it (Genesis 1:26, 28; Genesis 2:15, and others) and we are to love each other (Philippians 2:4, 1 John 3:18 and others).
Micah 6.8 reminds all of us that what the Lord requires is TO DO JUSTICE, TO LOVE KINDNESS, AND WALK HUMBLY WITH OUR GOD! CJM currently has a variety of ways for you to do justice!
We lean heavily on the Social Principles of the United Methodist Church for guidance. It is here where we find guidance on social justice issues that we deal with as a community. You can find the current version HERE.
We are all called to DO Justice! We are all called to Love Kindness! We are all called to Walk Humbly with Our God!
So join us, for it’s time to follow JESUS and do some SCROLL DROPPING, TABLE TURNING, CROSS BEARING Ministry! Amen? And Amen!
Serve Saturday
Serve locally with us the third Saturday every month! Our events are designed as easy, low-commitment ways to make a positive impact on your neighbors in the metro area. Try something new or enjoy a familiar favorite. Either way, you’ll experience the powerful impact of helping others by becoming God’s hands and feet right here in Kansas City.
Registration coming soon!
Queers & Allies Fellowship Worship Experience
Join us on Wednesday, July 31, at 6:30 pm at 1601 Grand Blvd for a transformative worship service led by Resurrection leaders from the Queer community. This special gathering will honor and celebrate the unique reflections of God’s image in queer individuals, highlighting their valuable contributions and perspectives in faith. Come experience an evening of powerful worship, inclusive fellowship, and genuine appreciation of God’s boundless love for all. Don’t miss this opportunity to uplift and be uplifted in a space where every identity is cherished and honored.
Civil Rights Trip
Immerse yourself in the Civil Rights Movement with Pastor Robert Johnson! This journey starts in Birmingham, where you’ll tour the 16 Street Baptist Church and gain insights from an expert guide at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. Travel to Tuskegee University, exploring its legacy museum and the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site. In Montgomery, stand where history unfolded at the Freedom Rides Museum and Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church, Dr. King’s former pulpit. The trip concludes in Atlanta, where you’ll visit the King Center and National Historic Site, and even attend a service at Cascade United Methodist Church. Don’t miss this all-inclusive opportunity to learn, connect, and be inspired by this pivotal era. Find out more and secure your spot for this unforgettable experience taking place September 10-16. Find out more about the trip and its all-inclusive pricing by clicking the button below.
Upcoming Justice Events
Racial Justice
Resurrection was compelled to take a stand after the murder of George Floyd (May 25, 2020). We developed our Vision for Racial Justice (found here, please put link here), fueled by our determination to speak up about racism that continues to this day. Enough is enough! Black Lives Matter. All Lives Matter.
In an attempt to engage personally in this work, Resurrection has a relationship, a partnership with St. James Church (https://sjumckc.org/ ) since 2016, to establish connections across racial lines. Learn more and join this amazing ministry, called ALLIES FOR RACIAL JUSTICE, at resurrection.church/arj.
Civic Engagement
The Civic Engagement Ministry of Resurrection seeks to build awareness of important social issues and encourage thoughtful dialogue and active participation in the democratic process. We fully support the Social Justice Principles of the United Methodist Church and the Mission of the Resurrection Social Justice Ministry (link here) .
Another way we encourage you to participate in making change in our community is through our membership in the GOOD FAITH NETWORK, an organization of over 30 interfaith congregations that work together to identify community issues, research to find solutions and works with and presents to local government to help make change happen. Learn more here (thegoodfaithnetwork.org).
EarthCOR
EarthCOR supports a Christian response to complex environmental and social challenges. Our actions are rooted in scripture that reminds us that the earth is the Lord’s (1 Corinthians 10:26 and others), that we are to take care of it (Genesis 1:26, 28; Genesis 2:15, and others) and we are to love each other (Philippians 2:4, 1 John 3:18 and others).
Wherever you find yourself on your faith journey right now, and whatever shade of “green” you might be, EarthCOR invites you to help transform lives and restore the broken things.
LGBTQ+ Ministry
At Resurrection, our purpose is to build a Christian community where non-religious and nominally religious people are becoming deeply committed Christians. This means being the kind of place where everyone can feel at home. Resurrection is a LBGTQ+ friendly church. For our sisters, brothers, and others in the LGBTQ+ community, we host several gatherings with a variety of goals. For those wanting to learn more about how to be a good ally, our LGBTQ+ Ministry page has resources to get you started on the journey.
Justice Resources
Class: We, Too, Sing America
We, Too, Sing America
Join us for “We, Too, Sing America”: A 5-Week Exploration of the Story and Significance of Black People in America’s Story. Led by Leawood Location Pastor, Robert Johnson. This promises to be an enriching immersion, further illuminated by the captivating insights of Dr. Shana Mashego, a renowned classical music artist and ethnomusicologist.
Join Mission Ministries staff members Sheree Reece & Stewart Curtright, along with Pastor Tino Herrera, in a conversation about retributive vs. restorative justice, and how Jesus taught and modeled restorative justice.
Explore what “doing justice” as the church looks like as an individual and in our communities with Pastor Patrick McLaughlin.
Join us for “We, Too, Sing America”: A 5-Week Exploration of the Story and Significance of Black People in America’s Story. Led by Leawood Location Pastor, Robert Johnson. This promises to be an enriching immersion, further illuminated by the captivating insights of Dr. Shana Mashego, a renowned classical music artist and ethnomusicologist.
Holocaust Education Panel
International Holocaust Remembrance Day is January 27, and Resurrection hosted this special event with the Midwest Center for Holocaust Education on Tuesday, Jan. 23, from 6:30 – 8:30 pm. The program featured a panel of second-generation Holocaust survivors who shared their families’ stories of resilience and hope. It is important that we continue to hear these testimonies and the lessons of the past that can inspire hope for the future.
Webinar: Churches in Black and White
Join Allies for Racial Justice for an inward look at how complicity with racism created and perpetuates the divide in our churches and communities. Representatives from several Christian denominations will discuss the historic role churches played in separating God’s people by “race”, the role culture and politics play in maintaining the separation, and how God’s great command to truly love our neighbors as ourselves could set things right.
White Leverage; Unpacking Philemon
Everyone has questions that they may feel uncomfortable asking, especially when it comes to issues like race. Join our special guest speakers from The Hope Center to explore questions about race and community in the Bible, and learn how to apply it to our daily lives.
Class: What is Justice?
What is Justice?
Learn from Rabbi Art Nemitoff from The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah about what God’s justice looks like in the Hebrew scriptures. We also hear how these truths are lived out today in the Jewish faith.
Join Mission Ministries staff members Sheree Reece & Stewart Curtright, along with Pastor Tino Herrera, in a conversation about retributive vs. restorative justice, and how Jesus taught and modeled restorative justice.
Explore what “doing justice” as the church looks like as an individual and in our communities with Pastor Patrick McLaughlin.
Strength to Love - A Study of MLK's Sermons
Join this dynamic opportunity to join in group conversation with a blend of members from St James United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection as we read selections of ‘Strength to Love’ by Martin Luther King Jr together. These groups will promote racial healing, cooperation, learning, and togetherness. Groups will meet 10/2 and 10/16 at Resurrection Leawood, and 10/9 and 10/23 at SJUMC from 6:30-8pm. Participants will be assigned groups and notified upon event start date.
