Racial and Ethnic Connections

Racial and Ethnic Connections

A significant part of our work is to advocate for the issues, concerns and assets of persons of color. Racial and ethnic constituencies within the church and society offer a wonderful opportunity to live out God's radically inclusive Pentecost vision and witness in the world. We educate and advocate to end structural racism and systemic white supremacy in all its forms: beliefs, power structures, and cultural norms. The Social Principles require the self-determination and development of racial and ethnic persons and communities.

We seek out and sustain opportunities for education, public policy advocacy and leadership formation in partnership with African, Hispanic/Latino American, Asian American, Native American and Pacific Islander United Methodists. The continuing need for excellence in leadership and development of potential of persons of color from all economic classes, from the local church to the national and international level of The United Methodist Church requires deliberate, professional training advocacy and education.

We are available to help design praxis oriented-participatory action and reflection-educational experiences and workshops in Washington, DC on college and university campuses, seminaries and schools of theology.

EYA Internship Program

Offered Annually June to August

During this internship, expect to experience God…

Interns are housed at George Washington University, in the heart of downtown DC. The purpose of using this housing facility is for commuting convenience to and from placements and to encourage interns to explore the city - there are hundreds of free arts, entertainment, and political events offered every day. Each intern will share a living space with either one or two other roommates. Living together in shared space will provide its own challenges and rewards, but the program sincerely believes that in true community, relationships form that teach us new things about ourselves and others. Each room is complete with a bed and dresser, a full bathroom, and a kitchenette. Interns are strongly encouraged to make use of the kitchenette and to cook for themselves. There are grocery and convenience stores located a few blocks from the GWU campus.

This community will also meet together on Fridays for seminars that explore issues concerning our church, our government, and how ethnicity and faith inform our views.

Placements are assigned after applicants have been accepted, based on their essay and other indicated interests, as well as the available placements. While we try to match the specific issues that you are passionate about with an internship placement, we do not guarantee a perfect match.  Long-time partners of GBCS are all dedicated to providing meaningful and experiential work, no matter what your specific social justice concern.

Placement supervisors serve as mentors as well and will set specific work hours, but in general, a normal workday will be 9 am until 5 pm.  Some placements will have flexible hours, but require that you attend out-of-office events that occur outside of the normal work hours. Interns are expected to attend work-related events; events that coincide with EYA programs however must first be cleared with the EYA coordinator.

The last, but equally important part of this internship program is the devotional and community worship time.  Every Sunday, the intern group will experience the rich and diverse nature of United Methodist churches by visiting a different church every week. The churches are located throughout the DC Metropolitan area and reflect the diversity in ethnic makeup as well as worship styles.

Every Wednesday, led by the Senior Intern, the group will meet and have devotion for one hour.  With each mid-week devotion led by a different intern, the hope is that this more relaxed time will provide a "pick-me up" during the week while taking part in others' devotional styles.

Background

The Ethnic Young Adults Summer Internship program is designed for young adults, between the ages of 18 and 22, representing the five ethnic caucuses of The United Methodist church. Applicants must have an interest in exploring issues of public policy, social justice advocacy, and social change.

Interns must also have a passion in exploring faith and justice issues from a personal, institutional, and societal perspective. Interns will live in Christian community together in Washington, DC. Work weeks at placements will be supplemented by: Evening intern led devotions, Friday Seminars on topics of timely social justice concern, area field trips, Sunday Worship in area United Methodist Churches. Participants must commit to all being present at these activities.

Applicants must be in good academic standing at their college or university if currently enrolled, demonstrate evidence of their concern for social justice through their extracurricular activity and academic study and have some history of involvement in their church and/or community. If employed full-time, applicants must show active leadership and participation in their local church and community and an involvement in social justice activities.

Each intern must be highly self-motivated, able to function effectively within a professional atmosphere, exercise good decision-making skills, feel comfortable working in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic urban environment and willing to participate in group activities. There is zero tolerance for abuse of alcohol, drugs, or other substances.  A violation of this rule will result in immediate expulsion from the program.

The EYA Internship expects participants to return to their schools, churches, and communities with an increased commitment to working with and on behalf of marginalized groups in our society. Participants are also expected to share their experience with other persons from their community, school, and/or church.

Today EYA interns lead as clergy and rural, hospital and prison chaplains; university and seminary educators and agency administrators; health care providers, therapists, legal advocates and Congressional staff; missionaries, media and communications directors as well as public policy advocates.

Download EYA Internship Application.

Constituencies

Our staff at the General Board of Church and Society are members of several United Methodist caucus groups. GBCS works with these groups to bring the whole United Methodist Church together in voice, diversity, activism and discipleship. Here is a list of the few groups of which we belong to:

• Black Methodist for Church Renewal (BMCR) - The African American caucus advocates for the unique needs of Black people in The United Methodist Church.
  http://www.bmcrumc.org
  
• Metodistas Asociadas/os Representando la Causa Hispano/Latino Americana (MARCHA) - The Hispanic/Latino caucus, focusing on advocacy efforts for Hispanic and Latino United Methodists.
  http://www.marcha.info