When Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) work, anti-racism, or white privilege are talked about these days, there are almost instantaneous walls that go up. It is true, these are all difficult conversations that require just that, conversation, they are not a sound bite that can be distilled for a 20 second TikTok or news clip. As a result, it is becoming increasingly difficult to do DEI work across all sectors. We know that the same is true for The United Methodist Church and our Camp and Retreat Ministries as well. There have been actions throughout the long history of The United Methodist Church that failed to lift up people of color in the love that we have been called to. For example, the split into the Methodist Episcopal Church North and South, forming the Central Jurisdiction to segregate black members, and failing to treat our black and brown clergy and laity equitably all have contributed to harm. 

Acknowledging our history and embracing our calling to love our neighbor, we can see how DEI work is crucial to Camp and Retreat Ministries. Every year, we welcome children and adults to our spaces who come from many different backgrounds with differing ideas about everything from meals to religiosity. Our work is to welcome all of these people. Chances are that you have made accommodations and accessibility updates at your ministry site for campers who are wheelchair users. Maybe you have signs in multiple languages to accommodate those whose first language is not English. Maybe you have a specialty week of camp over the summer for a group with special needs whether they’re deaf, in the foster care system, or developmentally delayed. These are all ways we work to be more diverse, equitable, and inclusive of our neighbors. I challenge us to dedicate time this year to bringing focus and attention to making our sites inclusive and safe spaces for people of color who are so vital to the growth, strength, and wholeness of our ministries.

Racism is a polarizing issue in the U.S. This can result in leaders often shying away from difficult DEI conversations for fear of alienating donors or camp families. Through faith, we can strive toward making our camps more equitable for all people, even if it means loving someone in our community through uncomfortable conversations. We are called to live out the words of 1 John 3:18 “let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” When we say we love our neighbor, let there be action behind our words, even actions that make us less popular or make us uncomfortable. 

In our baptismal vows, we accept the freedom God has given us to “resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves.”¹ Racism is a clear evil that is still pervasive in our country, and our Camp and Retreat Centers are not exempt. Even when we gather as a UMCRM community, we can visually see the growth we still need to do in bringing up diverse leaders.. If you look at the demographics of your campers, guests, and camp staff you may find a similar reality.. Mostly this is unintentional, it's just the way things have always been, however; the way things have always been isn’t how they need to remain. Jesus did not leave us the way we were, our baptism does not leave us the same, the Christian journey changes us into a new creation. Let’s lift up our Camp and Retreat Ministries as we work to fully reflect that change. 

Angela Davis said, “in a racist society it is not enough to be non-racist, we must be anti-racist.” Recently, the UMCRM Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Leadership Team has developed a resource to guide camp and retreat leaders in putting our faith into action.

This guidebook walks you through thoughtful questions that will move your ministry toward more diversity, equity, and inclusive environments. I encourage you to explore this resource and make the time to work against racism that we can see in our communities and even at our sites. It is time to make the bold declaration that “I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back.”² Our campers, our staff, and our retreat guests deserve spaces of radical welcome where all people not only have a space at the table, but they have a voice to be heard. 

I do not make any claim that it is easy or fun work, but it is necessary work. It is work for the kingdom, work that brings us closer to the kingdom, work that follows Christ. We know that God is already at work in the world. It’s time to look around us to see where God is working with the marginalized, working to “bring glad tidings to the poor, liberty to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind, set the oppressed free, and proclaim a year of jubilee.”³ Join me in choosing to take a stand against racism and to work in our spaces to make the world look more like the kingdom of God. It’s time to work towards Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for all people.

1. The baptismal covenant, UMC Book of Worship

2. “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus” The Faith We Sing #2129

3. Luke 4:18-19

Jenna Johnson serves as Assistant Director at the West River Center in the Baltimore-Washington Conference. Jenna grew up in the Mississippi Conference where she received her call to ministry while working at summer camp. She holds a Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary and is an ordained Deacon in the UMC. Jenna is passionate about empowering young people, traveling, and desserts. She enjoys rock climbing and hiking in her free time and has a growing collection of plants. Jenna has blessed the UMCRM community through her active role on the DEI Leadership Team.