Minutes of our April Meeting
May 17, 2004
Transformation Committee
Spring Meeting
April 23-25, 2004
Washington, DC
Present: Rev. Sofia Craethnenn; Kim Varney, Chair; Rev. Monica Cummings; Rev. Charlie Ortman, Board Liaison; Matt Moore; Dr. Julio Noboa; Bob Gross; Rev. Sean Parker Dennison; Taquiena Boston, President’s Representative; Simona Munson, Staff Support.
Friday, April 22
Committee check-in.
Overview of agenda & covenant
Committee added items to the existing covenant for meetings:
*Step forward/back (air time)
*Safe enough space
*Confidentiality honored
*Honesty & amnesty
*Right to pass (“listen more”)
*Acknowledging a range of oppression (inclusive lang.)
*Direct communication (no triangulation)
*Being ourselves (humor)
*Body honoring
History of Journey Toward Wholeness Transformation Committee
Taquiena led a discussion of the history of the creation and existence of the committee. The committee created a list of current challenges/perceptions/realities that exist within the denomination:
*Reorganization (of two years ago)—dismantling anti-racism vs. expanding
*Continuing “Black/White” dichotomy
*Original model had limited linkage among oppressions
*Identity politics/”small pie” priorities
*Language usage/choice
*Original Model’s limits—use of guilt; hang up on “racist;” Christian orientation; name confusion
*We can accomplish an end to oppression within Unitarian Universalism
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