The Rev. Jeremy Smith is the recipient of the 2021 Melvin Talbert Social Justice Award presented annually by Clifton United Methodist Church.
Jeremy's life, ministry, and prophetic word for queer folk in the unsettled realm of the United Methodist denomination is honored by the award. His insightful and provocative Hacking Christianity blog embodies the award through 1) the joyful affirmation of queer identity in all people, 2) an intersectional perspective on justice, and 3) an incisive prophetic call for justice for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities in the United Methodist denomination and congregations. If these were not enough reasons, Jeremy's presence as a leader in the General and Jurisdictional manifestations of the UMC continue to move the whole church toward justice and inclusion. In him, Clifton UMC see the personification of the Melvin Talbert Social Justice Award.
The Reconciling Ministry Team of Clifton UMC will honor Jeremy at Clifton UMC in Cincinnati on Sunday, October 3, 2021 as part of the 9:15 am Livestream and 11:00 am Sanctuary Worship Services. They will present the award to him that evening from 7-8 EDST which will include a question and answer conversation in order to include persons from other congregations who often have commitments on Sunday morning.
The award is named for United Methodist Bishop Melvin G. Talbert, whose life and ministry has focused on bringing inclusion and equity with persons of color and LGBTQ persons. Bishop Talbert was the first United Methodist bishop to perform a same-sex wedding and has been a leader in addressing the intersectionality of oppression and injustice throughout his ministry.