Many immigrant Pacific Islanders arrive in the United States as Methodists but do not always find quick entry into the U.S. church culture.  The plan addresses this issue, and also how to incorporate the spiritual energy of Oceanic people into the church.

Facing the Future: A Clergy Network for Cross-Racial/Cross-Cultural Appointment and Ministry is designed for clergy who are in their first few years of a CR/CC appointment and clergy committed to multicultural ministries and seeking the empowerment of such a network.

“The Dreamers,” children brought to the United States by their undocumented parents before the age of 16 gained the support of The United Methodist Church with the passing of a petition urging the U.S. Congress to adopt the DREAM Act.

May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month—a celebration of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States.

The Supreme Court today considers whether Arizona's controversial immigration law provides a legitimate helping hand or acts as an unconstitutional agent of chaos to federal immigration policy. The blockbuster case, Arizona v. United States, will be the court's last oral argument until October -- a fitting end to an extraordinarily high-profile term.

Backers say affirmative-action policies are needed to combat the legacy of racial discrimination and level the playing field for minorities who are more likely to attend inferior high schools. Colleges benefit from diverse student bodies, and minority students often become leaders in their communities after graduating from top colleges.

General Conference 2012 GCORR is focused on educating and empowering members of the Church to prioritize the values of equity before, during and after General Conference. Visit gcorrgc2012.org to stay connected with GCORR at General Conference 2012.

An eight-part blog series written by ACLU clients and staff who have been victims of racial profiling.

Historically, the treatment of indigenous people by Christian churches —including Methodists — has been good, bad and ugly. As The United Methodist Church gathers for its worldwide legislative session April 24-May 4 in Tampa, Fla., the denomination will recognize that history and take steps toward healing with Native Americans and other indigenous people around the world.

The use of the word “illegal” as it pertains to a person’s immigration status also suggests one is does not belong in the United States and is not American. The i-word is a product of a long, intertwined history of immigration, citizenship, and race in the U.S.

Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice spoke on a variety of topics in front of a crowd at Duke University, offering a particular criticism of the nation's stance on immigration. "That immigrant culture that has renewed us ... has been at the core of our strength," she said, according to the The Raleigh News & Observer. "I don't know when immigrants became the enemy."

The special prosecutor investigating the death of Florida teenager Trayvon Martin announced Wednesday evening that George Zimmerman, who told police he shot Martin in self defense, has been charged with second-degree murder. Zimmerman will plead not guilty to the charges, according to his attorneys. He faces up to life in prison if convicted.

Martin’s killing has sparked national outrage. But it is not the first criminal investigation to upset Sanford’s black community, whose leaders say police have repeatedly failed to properly investigate crimes involving black victims. A string of recent scandals involving department personnel has added to community anger. In the past three years, officers have been caught demanding bribes from motorists, fabricating evidence and drawing weapons unlawfully.

If you drop the “i” word, you may pick up controversy. That happened to the First United Methodist Church of Salt Lake City when its council approved a resolution opposing the use of “illegal” to refer to people, meaning such terms as “illegal immigrant” and “illegal alien” were officially discouraged. 

Nearly 30 church leaders came to Chicago on a mission to help The United Methodist Church reverse declining U.S. membership and revitalize its congregations.

Inspired by their faith, a group of Alabama Clergy and laity have been working to challenge Alabama’s proposed immigration bill HB 56. 

Maybe the confluence of events in Sanford with this anniversary of Dr. King's murder is a "mysterious way" in which we, as a nation, are given another providential unique opportunity for America to heal itself from the disease of racism. Perhaps we must now, once and for all, confront and no longer ignore the 800-pound gorilla in every household, office, corporate, state, and federal agency; and every religious and educational institution, in every community throughout our country: the absence of any forthright and frank discussion about race relations in America and the continuing systemic impact of racism, 24/7 in our daily lives 44 years after Dr. King's assassination.

The General Commission on Religion and Race stands in solidarity with United Methodists and others who believe that now is the time to "let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever flowing stream." Amos 5:24.

The Trayvon Martin Tragedy on Huffington Post