Submitted by Jeffrey Kuan and Eveline Koloto

 

One of the important functions of the Conference Commission on Religion and Race (CCORR) is to assess “ the openness, intentionality and progress of the annual conference, at all levels from the local church to the bishop’s office and cabinet, in the journey to racial, ethnic and cultural inclusiveness”. In consultation with Bishop Shamana, CCORR is implementing this important ministry of monitoring and evaluating at the plenary sessions, worship services and legislative sections at this year’s Annual Conference Session, conducted by a team of twelve people - seven laity and five clergy.

 

For the Plenary Session on Tuesday afternoon, June 17, we noted the racial-ethnic background of our Episcopal leader and Conference Secretary, an African American woman and an Asian American man. We observed that the opening liturgy was led by one man and four women – two Asian Americans, one African American and two European Americans. The five presenters for this plenary session, four men and one woman, were all European American. Among the seven women and two men who led the Celebration of Ministry, there were one African American, two Asian Americans, and six European Americans. One presenter was a young adult and one an older adult.

 

All of these tedious numbers invite deeper reflections on the demographics of the key leadership roles in our conference. With sharpened sensitivity, we would want to pay attention to even minor details, such as the fact that an African American artist was referred to as “this small woman”, albeit with great affection and appreciation. 

 

The worship service of communion showed great diversity, in terms of race, ethnicity, gender, and generation. We noted the musical offering of the Tongan choir, the liturgical dance by the Korean youth, and the diverse group of communion servers, which included at least two Native Americans, two youth or young adults and a person with disability. We noted with special appreciation, Bishop’s singing of the invocation in the Tongan language. These were all powerful “outward signs” of our commitment to diversity and inclusiveness. In the midst of such heterogeneity, we wonder what could be done to contribute to a more integrating and unifying experience for the collective body, so that diverse expressions (such as the use of different languages) would not be wrongly conceived as “foreign,” “exotic,” or considered inconvenient or superfluous.

 

 

 

 

 

Submitted by Jane Yin and Floro Guiterrez

 

The following observations were noted in the Wednesday legislative sections. There were almost an equal mix in gender and ethnicity between clergy and laity section leaders. It was noted that the majority of the people who presented the items were European Americans and that items presented contained inclusive language. In terms of the level of participation among the attendees, a greater number of European Americans were reflected than Asians, Blacks, Hispanics, Native Americans and Pacific Islanders. However, consideration should be given to providing material in other languages in addition to English to reflect the diversity of oral and written languages.

 

In regards to the plenary session, it was observed that the overwhelming majority of participants were European American females. Furthermore, prior to the fixing of clergy appointments, it was helpful when the scripture reader announced that he was going to first read in Tagalog. However, this did not occur during the second fixing of clergy appointments. While there was a remarkable racial diversity among the Episcopal nominee candidates, there was a definite absence of gender balance.

 

Turning our attention to the evening worship, we observed that the opening liturgy was led by a majority of European Americans, with the exception of one Asian American female and the preacher who was an Asian American male. It was evident that there was a conscious effort to reflect ethnic, gender and generational diversity in the dramatization of scripture. “The Remembering of the Saints” portion of the evening was highly effective and moving in conveying each individual’s ministry and subsequent legacy. 

 

We especially noted that the monitoring work of Religion and Race is being recognized and accepted by the Body as positive feedback and is received in the spirit of collaboration. 

 

 

 

 

Submitted by Barbara Horikoshi-Firebaugh and Shan McSpadden

 

The following is a brief report of the observations of the plenary sessions and the evening worship service honoring Bishop Beverly Shamana for Thursday, June 19, 2008.

 

The following observations were noted: In the morning plenary there was a good balance of male and female presenters, 2/3 of which were clergy. Approximately 1/3 were racial/ethnic minority persons and 2/3 Euro-Americans. The presenters included 3 youth and young adults and 4 older adults.

 

The speakers from the floor were both female and male. Five were Euro-American; 1 was African-American. The Administrative staff and conference ministry staff were presented on the stage. The administrative staff is totally Euro-American females. The conference ministry staff is a good balance between female and male, clergy and laity. We noted that when the cabinet was introduced, there was no African-American District Superintendent.

 

We observed that in the camp presentation, the pictures were predominately Euro-American children and youth. The “Well” presentation depicted a mix of racial/ethnic persons and ministries. We noted with appreciation the Bishop’s sensitivity to those who could not move for the laying on of hands as she offered an alternative way to participate. In the afternoon plenary, the presenters were mostly Euro-American as were those persons who spoke from the floor prior to the discussion of the section report. 

 

The Bishop’s Award recipients were balanced in terms of racial/ethnic and Euro-American persons as well as female/male. The UMW presentation consisted of a balance of racial/ethnic and Euro-American persons. Throughout the presentations there was a significant mixture of female and male, clergy and lay, racial/ethnic and Euro-American persons.

 

Turning to the presentation and discussion of the section report regarding retired clergy offering same gender marriage services and holy unions, we noted that the speakers from the floor were almost all Euro-American. Two Asian clergy males and one Asian layman spoke. This raises the question for us regarding how our procedures, shaped by Robert’s Rules of Order, might inhibit the effective participation of persons. We think especially of those for whom English is their second language and of those whose culturally shaped styles of participation are not congruent with such a controlled and rapidly shifting style of discussion and who are not steeped in Robert’s Rules of Order.

 

The worship service celebrating Bishop Shamana’s 8 years with us intentionally lifted up and celebrated the rich racial and cultural diversity within our annual conference and included a variety of gifts and the participation of children, youth, and young adults. We thank the Bishop for the inspiration for this service of celebration.

 

As we move into this final day of holy conferencing, we continue on a journey toward being a diverse, inclusive and learning church.