What does it look like to name white supremacy within our own denomination and work to dismantle it? How do we move from awareness to action? Join us for an after-worship conversation with Doug Cunningham, retired UMC elder and author of Beyond the White Church: Disrupting Racism, Rebuilding Faith Community.

This fall as part of stewardship season, we are invited to deepen into our spiritual practices in relation to reparations; to commit to financially supporting Epworth's ministries and also making a faithful contribution. Here's how one couple sees their contribution to the Black Wealth Builder's Fund as planting seeds for justice: 

Governor Newsom's recent signing of two historic reparations bills—SB 518, creating the Bureau for Descendants of American Slavery, and SB 437, directing CSU to develop descendant verification protocols—marks a significant step forward in California's efforts to address the enduring legacy of racial injustice. In addition, $6 million is being deployed to further public education about why reparations is simple justice—shining a light on the through-line from 250 years of slav

Invitation: What does reparations mean to you? Two friends, one Black and one white, journey to their Southern ancestral homes, exploring reparations' meaning. Their travels uncover opportunities that transform their bond, communities, reclaiming and reckoning with their roots.

This resource guide has been compiled as a complement to the Faith and Reparations Forum - May 17, 2025 - a collaboration among Buena Vista, Easter Hill, and Epworth United Methodist Churches with contributions from leaders across the Bay District of California-Nevada Annual Conference.

Therefore, be it resolved, that the General Conference of The United Methodist Church be called to repentance for its implicit and explicit participation and profit gained by slavery of African Americans in the United States.

Last month, three United Methodist Churches worked across racial and District (geographic) lines to demonstrate the transformative power of building Beloved Community through a forum on Faith and Reparations. The collaboration by Buena Vista UMC (a historically Japanese-American church in Alameda), Easter Hill UMC (a historically Black church in Richmond), and Epworth UMC (an intentionally multiracial church in a historically racially exclusive white neighborhood in Berkeley)

On Saturday, May 17th, Epworth will join with Easter Hill [in Richmond] and Buena Vista United Methodist Church [in Alameda] to host a groun

Where do we go from here?

As most of you know, I grew up here at Epworth. My mother’s family came here when my grandfather was pastor of Northbrae, one of the...

One of the questions we, as a congregation, have considered in regards to our decision on whether to contribute to the Black Wealth...

As inspired members of Epworth United Methodist Church, we have something exciting to celebrate and share. Our church's multi-year...

Conceptualizing Significant and Ongoing Commitments to Reparations As you have heard, during this Black Wealth Builder’s Campaign , we...

Giving Witness by Merrie Bunt Dear Epworth, It’s been wonderful to celebrate this season of abundance and the diversity of life...

Giving Witness by Michael Martin My testimony arose during a meeting of the Reparations Committee about the Black Wealth Builders Project...

Giving Witness by Dorothy Wonder From the beginning, I was strongly drawn to helping make home ownership possible for African Americans...

Black Wealth Builder’s Campaign The Black Wealth Builder’s Fund is a reparations project that addresses the racial wealth gap and seeks...

Reparations Action Group - Update September 2023 “What would authentic, meaningful, reparative action look like for Epworth–collectively...

Fourth Sunday after Epiphany Scripture: Deuteronomy 18:15-20 & Luke 10:38-42 Guest Preacher: Mikko Jokela Message: What Can We Do About...

Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause. ~Isaiah 1:17 Beloved...