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 and Native American emerging 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.
2018 Theme: Clergywomen Who Challenge Racism and Injustice
Basis for the Theme: Many of us are blessed to know clergywomen who have been advocates for racial and intercultural justice, with a respectful awareness and appreciation for each other’s different races, ethnicities, cultures and languages. At the Women of Faith breakfast, we will show gratitude and recognize clergywomen who are “woke” and who challenge systemic racism and oppression.
Purpose of award: This award recognizes clergywomen who challenge racism and injustice.
Access the Racial Equity & Women’s Intercultural Ministries Church Directories
DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE — SEPTEMBER 2018
Disrupting Racism
“I now realize that it is true that God treats everyone on the same basis. Whoever fears God and does what is right is acceptable to God, no matter what race they belong to.”
— Acts 10:34-35,
In Racial Equity & Women’s Intercultural Ministries, we envision a world in which all communities have an equal voice and fully participate in church and society, through intercultural ministries, leadership development, racial justice and reconciliation, women’s empowerment, church growth, church revitalization and transformation. Our goals are:
– Ending racism
– Empowering women
– Building intercultural communities
This September issue of Racial Equity & Women’s Intercultural Ministries’ E-newsletter focuses on disrupting racism. Rev. Denise Anderson is the Coordinator of Racial and Intercultural Justice for Racial Equity & Women’s Intercultural Ministries. Following are some of her reflections.
— Rhashell D. Hunter
By Denise Anderson Coordinator, Racial and Intercultural Justice
Sunday, August 12 was the one-year anniversary of the deadly Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville. Unmasked and unhooded, white nationalists marched wielding torches, Confederate flags, and swastikas, proclaiming that they were determined to take the country “back” – in 2017. Their numbers were substantial, and their brazenness was unlike anything we’d seen in recent history. They were not without opposition, however, as hundreds of counter-protesters confronted them with their own chants and signs. Clashes ensued. People were injured. One woman was killed.
And on the anniversary of that deadly day, another such rally would take place in Washington, DC. I am from that area, and many of us were deeply troubled. Would we have a repeat of Charlottesville? No, this time the counter-witness would grow. Nationalists showed up by the dozens. Counter protesters showed up by the thousands.
That we can have such high-profile demonstrations of racism and xenophobia speaks to the abiding need for racial and intercultural justice work. Yet, when I look out at the vineyard, I see laborers. We must sustain these efforts, which is why I am grateful and determined to walk alongside siblings in Christ as Coordinator for Racial and Intercultural Justice. Forward together!
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. Some of the articles featured in this issue include:
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- Stated Clerk’s statement: ‘Are we complicit in the racism of the alt-right?’
- Presbyterian attitudes on race
- Living into the Confession of Belhar
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