Engaged Diversity Don Heights Unitarian Congregation

Calling for a Shared Ministry* Team Diverse perspectives Magnify creative ideas Need for broad congregational ownership Share the vision Involve many * Ministry is the act of serving. Shared ministry is what we do to serve our congregation and the broader community, individually and together.

Don Heights will dedicate time & energy to exploring barriers to being more welcoming and affirming of diversity Don Heights will dedicate time & energy to exploring barriers to being more welcoming and affirming of diversity … diversity of age, ability, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, culture, faith, socio-economic status and theological perspective. … diversity of age, ability, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, culture, faith, socio-economic status and theological perspective. This shared ministry initiative will include Sunday Services, workshops, movies, adult programs and social action. This shared ministry initiative will include Sunday Services, workshops, movies, adult programs and social action.

The Plan Recognition this is an ongoing effort Phase I: Introductory Exploration September 2007 creation of Team October 2007 ~ strategizing November 2007 ~ committee contact January 2008 ~ Implement

Creating the Team Introduced in the Newsletter & pulpit Hosted post-service info session Set planning meeting Shared info with congregation

Strategizing Involve Committees Sunday Services Adult Programming Social Action Publicity

Visible Diversities Race Age GenderSize Sometime visible Other abilities Socio-economic status Religious affiliation

Invisible Diversities Sexual orientation Theological orientation Education Sometimes invisible Other abilities Ethnicity/ language Socio-economic status

January Services 2008 January 6th Engaged Diversity: Introduction January 13th Street Health Stories: The Health of the Homeless Presenters: Erika Khandor & Laura Hanson Socio-economic diversity January 20th Celebrating the “T” in LGBTQ: One family’s Sacred Journey Presenter: Joan Wiley Gender & sexual orientation diversity

February Black History Month February 3rd The Meaning of Drums - The Afrikan Drums Presenter & Musician: Waleed Abdulhamid Kush February 10th Through the Fire or How Long Can I Be Afraid? Speaker: Rev Alicia Forde How Diverse Are We, Really? Service Presenters: Rev. Debra Faulk & Engaged Diversity Shared Ministry Team February 24th Black History Month in a Multicultural Society Presenter: Caldwell Taylor

March Services March 2nd Joyful Noise ~ Songs of Diversity Musicians: Jane Perry & the Joyful Noise Choir Musical diversity March 9th Ethiopia Connections March 16th Building Your Own Theology Rev. Debra Faulk & Participants in Building Your Own Theology Theological Diversity March 23rdth Rise Again ~ Easter Rev. Debra Faulk & Participants in Building Your Own Theology Theological Diversity March 30th Do We Know How to Work Together ~ pulpit shuffle Rev. Shawn Newton Theological Diversity

April & May Services April 6th The Road to Beloved Community: The Prophetic Imperative April 13th History in a Meal: Modified Passover Seder Musician: Allan Merovitz April 20th Interfaith Explored: Whatcha Gonna Do With Whatcha Got? Speaker: J.W. Windland April 27th Ageism - Is It a Reality? May 4th Disabilities or Just...Different Abilities? May 11th Diversity Is Life Work

Other Events Videos Amazing Grace Transamerica Workshops Healthy Sexuality Everyone’s a Drummer Spirituality for the Long Haul – Nancy Reeves Joyful Noise

World Cafe What has been the greatest learning with Engaged Diversity initiative? Hidden prejudices how can we reveal them? Welcoming diversity requires exploring these issues What are the potential outcomes for the Engaged Diversity initiative? What more can we do to Engage Diversity?

Next Steps Go out into the community Continue the education piece Social Action activities Go Deep Go Out Credential

Congregational Resolution The Congregation affirms the intention to move ahead with the CUC Celebrating Diversity credentialing process through the continuing commitment to the Engaged Diversity Initiative.