Loving our neighbor justly, mercifully, and humbly requires learning their stories and their people’s histories, exposing ourselves to some painful truths about our own stories and histories, and engaging in non-judgmental, empathetic dialogue and truth-telling while remaining a hopeful people.

The Micah 6:8 Love Your Neighbor Tour is designed to promote the humanity and embrace the dignity and divinity of all God’s children. We will journey to Montgomery, Alabama, and immerse ourselves in the sights, sounds, and stories of racial injustices at the three sites of the Legacy Museum. The Legacy Museum is a history lesson, from the first European ships that landed on US soil through the Civil Rights Movement and beyond.  This tour exposes participants to narratives about race and racial injustices that are often under-represented in our efforts to do justice in West Ohio. It will expand participants’ limited exposure to anyone who is from a culture different from their own – promoting empathy, understanding, and humility.

This tour is designed to educate, to give an opportunity to see and reflect how dominant world views have been formed over time, and to see the world through the eyes of our indigenous and black brothers and sisters in Christ. We will mercifully remove some of the lenses that “white” culture has always “adjusted” so as to not see the injustices endured by different racial identities.

We anticipate some of the things experienced invoking emotional responses.  We have built in space for processing and healing through guided reflection and empathetic community. We will be participating in “peace and justice circles” for deeper understanding of ourselves and our neighbors, and we will form relationships to give each other hope and to hold each other accountable for what happens next in rectifying racial injustices.

Through this experience, you will come back to your mission field …

• Better able to see the wholeness of each person you meet
• Promote more racial reconciliation and unity among the body of Christ
• Assist with and navigate cross-racial, cross-cultural appointments
• Ally with and effectively engage in WOC’s anti-racism movement
• Lead local congregational efforts to reach new, more diverse neighbors
• Create more healing and wholistic spaces for multi-cultural discipleship

The Holy Spirit is in the business of transformation.  We are commissioned to make disciples for the transformation of the world as pastors and laity of the United Methodist Church.  Transformation starts within ourselves.  You are invited to this opportunity, allowing the Holy Spirit to work within you, as West Ohio takes a bold step towards truly loving our neighbors.

Registration Information:

Registration opens June 1.
Deadline to register is September 1.
Full payment due at time of registration

REGISTER HERE

Direct questions to:

Ruth Carter-Crist
pastorruthcarter@gmail.com
(c) 567-239-6925

Cost:

Cost covers 4 DAYS & 3 NIGHTS of travel, site tours, hotel stay, and some meals.

$550/PP DBL RM Occupancy, Transportation from Columbus
$380/PP DBL RM Occupancy, "On Your Own" Transportation
$245 EXTRA SGL RM Occupancy
Tour is limited to 56 participants.

Package Includes:

• RT deluxe motorcoach transportation (excludes "On Your Own" Transportation participants)
• 3 nights deluxe accommodations in Montgomery
• 3 great hotel breakfasts
• 2 sumptuous dinners at great local restaurants
• Admission to the Legacy Museum Sites, including the  National Memorial for Peace and Justice Museum and the Freedom Monument Sculpture Park
• Admission to the Rosa Parks Museum
• All taxes and meal gratuities

Tentative Itinerary:

Day 1: Tues, Sept. 24

8:00AM - Board Charter Bus at West Ohio Conference, 32 Wesley Blvd, Worthington, Ohio.

In transit activities: Watch Just Mercy and Bishop Palmer’s Leadership Clinic with Bryan Stevenson. Introduction of the Legacy Museum experience. Journaling/reflective prompts. Story-telling and discussion of lived experiences around racial injustice. Centering exercises. Lunch, dinner and bio breaks.

7:30PM - Arrive at Montgomery, Alabama Hotel

Day 4: Friday, Sept. 27

8:00AM - Board Charter Bus for West Ohio Conference, 32 Wesley Blvd, Worthington, Ohio.

In transit activities: Closing Devotion, Guided Discussion, Explore Application for Ministry Upon Return. Lunch, dinner and bio breaks.

7:30PM - Arrive at West Ohio Conference Center