wfn.org | Reconciliation committee approves cross-racial ministry

[wshuffit@oc.disciples.org]

project for seminarians
Date: March 21, 2001
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Clifford L. Willis
E-mail: CWillis@oc.disciples.org
on the Web: http://www.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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