Inclusiveness Counts!, an Initiative of the Conference Commission on Religion and Race and the General Commission on Religion and Race
A Letter to Tennessee Conference United Methodists from Mattielyn Williams, chairperson of the Conference Commission on Religion and Race.
In preparation for annual conference, we in the Tennessee Conference Commission on Religion and Race are partnering with the General Commission on Religion and Race to promote Inclusiveness Counts! This initiative is intended to remind members of our annual conference of the importance of racial/ethnic diversity and indeed, inclusiveness, in all our deliberations, but especially in voting for delegates to the 2008 General and Jurisdictional conferences.
We are prayerful that our fellow clergy and lay members will be sensitive to the need and dedicated to the goal of inclusiveness, as together we seek to affirm our denomination’s call and commitment to that sacred principle.
Inclusiveness Counts! Because we all share the same Creator and are part of God’s family, a beautifully diverse family! Together, we are part of God’s household, sisters and brothers in Christ and members of one another.
Inclusiveness Counts! because in God’s household all people are equal and no one is left out. On the contrary, those who have been left out are given the first seats and special consideration.
Inclusiveness Counts! because in God’s household love and justice come together as one in truth. Our words of love must be manifested by our actions of justice, a justice that embraces all people from all backgrounds, and invites them to be present as equals at our common table.
Inclusiveness Counts! because our song of faith and righteousness is not complete until all voices are heard in rich harmonies that honor and worship God with the fullness and wisdom of our diverse insights and perspectives.
Inclusiveness Counts! because it is an integral part of who we are as United Methodists and more importantly, as faithful disciples of Jesus Christ who reach out to welcome and transform the world that indeed, is in our parish.
I want to challenge my fellow members of the Tennessee Conference to reflect on why they think Inclusiveness Counts!, especially as we approach our General and Jurisdictional conferences in 2008. Are we really a family where everyone is welcomed, where everyone can be represented and where love and justice prevail with integrity?
When we elect our delegation to General Conference will it reflect the actual or even potential diversity of our conference membership? The racial/ethnic diversity we claim to want must be represented in both our leadership and our legislation for it to become a reality. Surely, it is time for us to practice what we preach and to vote for diversity as we elect our leaders and delegates, because undeniably, in our church family and in God’s household, Inclusiveness Counts!
Chair, Mattielyn Williams
In preparation for annual conference, we in the Tennessee Conference Commission on Religion and Race are partnering with the General Commission on Religion and Race to promote Inclusiveness Counts! This initiative is intended to remind members of our annual conference of the importance of racial/ethnic diversity and indeed, inclusiveness, in all our deliberations, but especially in voting for delegates to the 2008 General and Jurisdictional conferences.
We are prayerful that our fellow clergy and lay members will be sensitive to the need and dedicated to the goal of inclusiveness, as together we seek to affirm our denomination’s call and commitment to that sacred principle.
Inclusiveness Counts! Because we all share the same Creator and are part of God’s family, a beautifully diverse family! Together, we are part of God’s household, sisters and brothers in Christ and members of one another.
Inclusiveness Counts! because in God’s household all people are equal and no one is left out. On the contrary, those who have been left out are given the first seats and special consideration.
Inclusiveness Counts! because in God’s household love and justice come together as one in truth. Our words of love must be manifested by our actions of justice, a justice that embraces all people from all backgrounds, and invites them to be present as equals at our common table.
Inclusiveness Counts! because our song of faith and righteousness is not complete until all voices are heard in rich harmonies that honor and worship God with the fullness and wisdom of our diverse insights and perspectives.
Inclusiveness Counts! because it is an integral part of who we are as United Methodists and more importantly, as faithful disciples of Jesus Christ who reach out to welcome and transform the world that indeed, is in our parish.
I want to challenge my fellow members of the Tennessee Conference to reflect on why they think Inclusiveness Counts!, especially as we approach our General and Jurisdictional conferences in 2008. Are we really a family where everyone is welcomed, where everyone can be represented and where love and justice prevail with integrity?
When we elect our delegation to General Conference will it reflect the actual or even potential diversity of our conference membership? The racial/ethnic diversity we claim to want must be represented in both our leadership and our legislation for it to become a reality. Surely, it is time for us to practice what we preach and to vote for diversity as we elect our leaders and delegates, because undeniably, in our church family and in God’s household, Inclusiveness Counts!
Chair, Mattielyn Williams
