Living into the Mission Statement

"The Theology of Diversity" is a recent article by the Presbyterian News Service on a series of three workshops recently led at Menaul School by the Rev. Eric Law, executive director of the Kaleidoscope Institute.

The workshops were funded by a Teaching of the Bible Grant from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

The vision for having the events was born in the Rev. Buddy Monahan, Menaul Chaplain, several years ago when he participated in workshop led by Eric, an Episcopal priest, composer, author and more with expertise in helping create competent leadership in a diverse, changing world. Buddy worked patiently and carefully to bring about this event.

Three workshops were held: each different, all related. The weekend began with a facilitated dialog between Menaul students, faculty, staff, administration, and Volunteers in Mission. A day-long in-service followed for all Menaul faculty, staff, and administrators. The final event was a day-long workshop for Presbyterian church leaders and others in the Albuquerque community.

I had the privilege to work with Buddy as he dreamed and planned the event. I had the further privilege to help facilitate portions of the event with Eric. A couple observations that are covered in different words in the Presbyterian News Service story:

The workshops and the work of the Kaleidoscope is rooted in the Bible and a theological understanding.

The Kaleidoscope Institute recognizes that God creates an incredibly diverse human family and intends us to live in that diversity. But that proves hard for us to do. So the institute provides a theological understanding as well practical skills and tools to help us live into that vision.

Menaul School is a diverse community – with a commitment to living in that diversity and to engaging in justice and empowerment. The workshops with members of the school community drew on Menaul's Mission Statement. Indeed in some respects these workshops were designed to help the participants remember the mission statement and renew their commitment to living by that statement.

This was not a case of trying to fix something that was wrong or to respond to a crisis.

The workshops were part of an ongoing effort on the part of Menaul School to live respectfully and responsibly as a diverse community — efforts that will continue. It will be fun to see God leads the community.