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Reconciliation Mission Seeks New Approaches For Its WorkIndianapolis (DNS) April 28, 2006 -- Reconciliation Mission (RM) remains a vital ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), although church leaders acknowledge the ministry is in a period of transition. “The Administrative Committee has made some difficult and painful decisions regarding Reconciliation Mission,” said General Minister and President Sharon Watkins. “But we remain hopeful that God will show us new ways to revitalize and sustain this crucial ministry of reconciliation in the life of our church.” During its 39-year history, RM has worked with general and regional ministries, as well as, church related institutions to dismantle systematic racism and other oppressive structures, through organizing, education and advocacy. RM will be sustained in the months ahead with volunteer leadership, supplemented by some consultant and administrative services. Prior to the budget cuts, the office had one executive staff position and one administrative position working at 1/3 time. The Administrative Committee also named two working groups – one of which will look at the future role of RM, and another that will develop communication and interpretation strategies. Membership for these groups will come from the Reconciliation Mission Commission and the larger church. Each of the new working groups is expected to start work immediately. The Evaluation and Assessment Working Group (EAWG) will be chaired by Timothy Lee, an assistant professor of history at Brite Divinity School, and a member of the original steering group for the Anti-Racism/Pro-Reconciliation Initiative. The EAWG will solicit input from various parts of the denomination, including church leaders, regional representatives and those who give grants and financial support. The group will work to assess both the impact of the ministry and to identify next steps toward a renewed future. In addition, the Communication and Interpretation Working Group (CIWG) will develop a comprehensive communication plan interpreting Reconciliation Mission to the whole Church and providing strategies for promotion of the 2006 Reconciliation Offering in the fall. The CIWG will also collaborate with the EAWG to keep the church informed about the progress of its work. Martha Herrin, a member of the Illinois/Wisconsin Anti-Racism team and a Core Organizer trainer, will chair that group. As the working groups move forward, they will face challenges. RM closed out 2005 without a deficit – in part due to a one-time allocation from the General Ministries pool, a 7.5 percent increase in the 2004 RM offering and RM spending cuts. However, RM’s offering in 2005 was 25 percent less than the previous year, a loss of about $156,000, meaning that after further cuts the ministry still faced an $87,000 shortfall for 2006. A special 30-day fundraising appeal that started March 1 attempted to close the 2006 shortfall. Although $50,495 was received in pledges and gifts, the appeal did not gap the shortfall. Church committees had been alerted for at least three years about RM’s impending financial crisis. In 2001, RM was expanded beyond its more traditional role of awarding grants to regions and groups working on anti-racism initiatives, to give oversight to the Anti-Racism/Pro-Reconciling Initiative (ARPRI), although its finances continued to be tied to a once-a-year special offering. Jessica Vazquez, who had served as Transitional Minister of Reconciliation Mission since January, ended her last day with RM on Thursday, April 27. “The sin of racism must be eradicated if we are to live faithfully and with integrity into the vision we have claimed; to become a community that demonstrates true community, that moves out of a deep Christian spirituality and that witnesses passionately to God’s justice,” said Vazquez. “I pray this evaluation will determine not just long-term strategies for a transformed RM but will result in a renewed commitment of this church to God’s call to eradicate the structures that fragment what we understand to be God’s beloved community. The time has come for us to give witness to the world, to live into the vision we proclaim and become the church we claim we seek to be.” Reconciliation Mission continues to take donations, although its special appeal has officially ended. Funding remaining with RM will be used in 2006 to support the work of the committees and pay for consultant and administrative services. Donations can be sent to: Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Reconciliation Mission, P.O. Box 1986, Indianapolis, IN 46206-1986. On-line donations can be made at: http://www.reconciliationmission.org/donate/ For additional information visit www.reconciliationmission.org ###
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