wfn.org | UCC Synod committee recommends diversity education proposal

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

Synod committee recommends diversity education proposal

> Written by J. Martin Bailey
> June 29, 2009

A resolution favoring diversity and multicultural education in the
public schools is being recommended for action by the General Synod
action Tuesday.

The proposal, which encourages programs of diversity education, was
submitted by the Northern California Conference after two of its
congregations were the focus of threats and legal action by right-wing
groups claiming that diversity education is an attack on "family
values" and the "nuclear family." The churches, in Alameda and
Hayward, had provided programming at the request of local school
teachers. The programming was designed to help children understand and
respect all persons, regardless of sexual orientation.

The two pastors, the Rev. Laura Rose of First Congregational UCC in
Alameda and the Rev. Arlene Nehring of Eden UCC in Hayward, were
invited to explain the circumstances that led to the threats.

The resolution being presented by the committee "supports the efforts
of organizations, especially public school districts, to develop
programs that promote anti-bullying, safe schools, and an acceptance
of wide-ranging diversity. The resolution affirms that diversity
education should embrace persons of all races, ethnic origins,
genders, faiths, abilities, sexual orientations, gender identities,
socio-economic classes, countries of origin, and their families.

The proposal recommends a series of specific ways that the several
settings of the UCC can be of assistance.