Dear Colleagues in Ministry,
During this time of uncertainty, where fear feels easier than calm, just remember you are not alone. Please know that the staff of Racial Equity & Women’s Intercultural Ministries hold you and ourselves in God’s protection and mercy through prayer and petition.
We are taking precautions and beginning our self-quarantine today (March 16, 2020) through at least the beginning of April. We are all prepared to work remotely from home and will continue the work as we are called to do for you and the PC(USA).
If you need us, feel free to reach us via E-mail or phone calls, or leave a voicemail and we will respond in a timely manner. The work will continue, just as it always has. Grants and scholarships are still available. Meetings and conferences may be postponed or held virtually.
We leave you with a link to a prayer from our Co-Moderators, Ruling Elder Vilmarie Cintrón-Olivieri and Rev. Cindy Kohlmann: https://www.pcusa.org/news/2020/3/16/word-prayer-223rd-ga-co-moderators-these-uncertain/
Holding you in God’s love and compassion,
The staff of Racial Equity & Women’s Intercultural Ministries
In Racial Equity & Women’s Intercultural Ministries, we engage the Church in its mission to become more diverse and inclusive of racial, ethnic, cultural and language groups, and we equip women for leadership in all ministries of the Church. We are blessed to see a vision of Pentecost every day. There are Presbyterian Mission Agency offices supporting African American, Asian, Hispanic/Latino-a, Korean, Middle Eastern, Native American and African Intercultural ministries. The people of color and new immigrant worshiping communities that we support regularly gather together, constructing a people of color identity that stems from a common history, heritage and language. We work closely with people of color and new immigrant worshiping communities through mid councils, caucus groups, and networks, engaging in the mission to grow, transform, empower, lead and develop communities. We create an awareness of institutional racism in the church and an environment where people of color, new immigrants, and women can serve fully in ministry and leadership.
In our ministries we work to achieve gender and racial justice and equip people of color and young adults for leadership. We assist college-age and young women of color in their faith journeys and foster networks of support for them.
As we discover how to share the gospel in an increasingly diverse culture, we have a greater chance of living out the Biblical vision of a world where the humanity of everyone is valued and where God’s love is spread to every race, class, culture and people.
Native American Church Properties Inventory and Fund
The 223rd General Assembly (2018) directed the Presbyterian Mission Agency to work with mid councils to facilitate an assembly-wide inventory documenting the physical needs of Native American churches and chapels. The action taken also directed the Presbyterian Foundation to create an ongoing fund for urgent and immediate repairs and improvements.
Make a gift to this initiative
Read the Racial Equity Torch
In the current issue of the Racial Equity Torch, we lift up the work that Racial Equity & Women’s Intercultural Ministries, and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) as a whole, is doing to shine a light on diversity and reconciliation.
