GCORR Board Gathers for Organizing Meeting, Elects Leadership, and Strengthens Connections
Baltimore, MD — September 28, 2024 — The General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR) convened its new board of the quadrennium from September 26-28, 2024, in Baltimore, Maryland. Board members traveled from across the world to gather in person, with the primary goal of organizing, building relationships, and deepening their understanding of their responsibilities as board members.
The gathering began with a worship service, which included a land acknowledgment. This worship set the tone for the meeting, grounding the board in their sacred responsibility and the holy work ahead. The worship services bookending the meeting created a spirit of reflection and connection, fostering an environment for meaningful conversations and decisions.
During the meeting, the board elected and affirmed the following individuals to the GCORR Executive Team:
Board President: Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi
Vice President: The Rev. Alka Lyall
Secretary: Ms. Monalisa Tuitahi
Treasurer: The Rev. Zach Anderson
Chair of Governance and Human Resources Committee Nominee: The Rev. Clifton Howard
At-Large Members: The Rev. Jeric Cortado and Ms. Cynthia Kent
In addition, the board re-elected the General Secretary, The Rev. Dr. Giovanni Arroyo, with unanimous support, affirming his continued leadership in guiding GCORR’s mission and vision.
Board President Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi expressed her excitement and vision for the work ahead:
The expertise, passion, joy, sense of urgency, and commitment of the Board of Directors is inspiring. The need for the church collectively to speak into and disciples individually to work against issues of racism, tribalism, and ethnocentrism around the world has intensified. GCORR has been energized and challenged by the additional responsibilities given to GCORR by the General Conference. We are looking forward to expanding and deepening our partnerships and relationships with other commissions, agencies, and organizations within the church so that we might be even more effective and impactful in our work.
A pivotal moment in the meeting was a brainstorming session where the board exchanged ideas, set goals, and shared their vision for the work ahead in this quadrennium. Board members shared a range of valuable ideas centered on strengthening relationships and expanding the reach of their antiracism work. There was strong emphasis on building partnerships with central conferences and other agencies, funneling GCORR's work to local churches, and scaling resources to reach wider audiences. Ideas around engaging the next generation and addressing the unfinished business of racism through campaigns or lectures were also explored. The discussion highlighted the need to move beyond a U.S.-centric focus, incorporating more global perspectives in dismantling racism, while expanding GCORR's identity to include its broader intersectional work, such as LGBTQ+ and disability advocacy. The board highlighted the importance of continuing to speak truth to power and keeping dismantling racism as a central focus, addressing ableist language, and finding ways to support marginalized communities.
The board also affirmed their covenant, reviewed structure and policies, and participated in key presentations. Partner organizations, including the Disability Ministries Committee of The United Methodist Church, The Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry, and UMC racial and ethnic caucuses, provided updates on their work, highlighting the collaborative nature of promoting equity and inclusion across the denomination.
The GCORR Program and Communications team presented an overview of the Commission’s history, mission, and resources that equip church and community leaders in the ongoing work of antiracism and equity. These resources continue to have a significant impact on creating more inclusive and just spaces within the UMC.
A unique and meaningful part of the gathering involved board members sharing personal stories of faith and culture, further strengthening the connection among members and celebrating the diversity present within the group. These stories highlighted the shared commitment to building a beloved community that honors each individual’s unique experiences and gifts.
A highlight of the gathering was a special team-building activity where the board came together for an evening of creativity and service. Board members crafted hand-written cards with notes of encouragement and tie-dyed tote bags for young adults undergoing cancer treatment. This meaningful project allowed the group to bond while contributing to a cause of compassion and support, reinforcing the board’s commitment to embodying acts of love and care in their ministry.
The next GCORR board meeting is scheduled to be held in February 2025.
For more information about GCORR’s work, visit www.gcorr.org.
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