Title: Reconciliation committee approves cross-racial ministry project for
seminarians
Date: March 21, 2001
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: news@cm.disciples.org
01b-24
INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- A pilot project aimed at fostering intentional cross-racial ministry experiences for Disciples seminarians was approved by the General Reconciliation Committee.
The advisory group, meeting here March 16-17, also endorsed a new vision and mission statement, welcomed two new members and adopted a theme for the next round of promotional materials.
By pairing seminarians with congregations of a different culture or ethnicity, congregations will be enabled to "work toward pro-reconciling transformation." Committee members hope the project, with support from regions/areas and congregations, will help develop models for dismantling systemic racism.
"Recognizing that God has reconciled the world to God's self," says the vision statement, "we are God's ambassadors and ministers of reconciliation, proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ."
The mission statement calls for the Reconciliation ministry to provide grants for anti-racism, pro-reconciliation training across the church; collaborate with all church expressions to promote anti-racist, pro- reconciling attitudes and ideals; create and produce related educational materials, and hold the denomination accountable to God's call for reconciliation.
Welcomed to the committee were Tanya Tyler, a promotional/creative services copywriter from Lexington, Ky., and Mark Watkins, a state government employee from Sacramento, Calif. Another member, Steve Allison, Memphis, Tenn., resigned, and a replacement to fulfill his unexpired term will be designated in September.
"R U Reconciled?" is the theme for the resource materials being produced for the next offering period.
In other action, committee members welcomed the Rev. Eugene Fisher, St. Louis, as a consultant and heard about an April 2 proposal writing workshop. Interim director, the Rev. Vertie Powers, finishes her service with Reconciliation April 12. Fisher's appointment continues the time of transition in the ministry office until a permanent successor can be named.
The proposal writing workshop will be conducted by Eric B. Jefferson, executive director of NBA CHANCE Inc., Jacksonville, Fla. The April event will be held in Indianapolis and is open to representatives of congregations and organizations related to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) who are interested in applying for a Reconciliation grant.
The committee also committed to raising $1 million over the next three years toward a $10 million endowment goal. The endowment "assures the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) that Reconciliation is here to stay," said Powers.
The funds, she said, will help finance the anti-racism, pro- reconciliation initiative, provide grants for congregations and Disciples- related organizations, and help support not-for-profit organizations not affiliated with the denomination whose programs address the root causes of racism.
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