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!
Good Faith Network Conversations
This October with Pastor Cheryl Bell
Come join Pastor Cheryl, Pastor of Community Justice, as she hosts Good Faith Network Community Conversations this October! Resurrection partners with the Good Faith Network, an interfaith justice ministry that draws together nearly 30 congregations from 3 faith traditions to advocate for systemic change on behalf of the most vulnerable.
The Good Faith Network has been working to address the challenges of homelessness, lack of affordable housing and mental health crisis in Johnson County and we need to hear from YOU!
Learn more and register by using the button below!
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.
Upcoming Justice Events
Nehemiah Assembly
Have you ever thought about big community issues like affordable housing and thought “But what can I do? I’m just one person.”
If you’ve ever felt powerless to help in the face of big community problems, I am inviting you to attend The Good Faith Network’s Nehemiah Assembly. on May 7, 6:00 pm at Resurrection Leawood.
On that night – with the Chair of the County Commission Mike Kelly in attendance – 1500 voices from 3 faith traditions across 30 congregations will unite to champion proven solutions to mental health crisis care, creating affordable housing and ending homelessness in Johnson County. It will be a historic night for our community and your voice matters. I hope you will join me.
See what Pastor Adam had to say about Nehemiah Assembly HERE.
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 www.alliesforracialjustice.org.
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 supports 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 multifaith 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 (https://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. 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.
