Diversity of Ministry Initiative
After decades of commitment, we have only thirty-one ministers of color and Latina/o, Hispanic, and multiracial ministers serving our congregations and only forty-nine ministers of color in fellowship with the Association. In the same period, our ministry has moved from a handful to a majority of female ministers. The “why” of that disparity is complex, but its reality is unavoidable. Many ministers of color have decided to leave us.In late 2006 members of the Diversity of Ministry Team (DOMT) of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) began a process to develop healthy, sustainable ministries with ministers of color and Latina/o, Hispanic, and multiracial clergy and to support seminarians during their formation. DOMT includes representatives from Congregational Services, Diverse & Revolutionary UU Multicultural Ministries (DRUUMM), Identity-Based Ministries, Ministry and Professional Leadership, and the UU Ministers Association. It is housed in the office of the President.
In March of 2008, Rev. Alicia Forde, aforde @ uua.org, was hired as the Program Coordinator for Multicultural Congregations in the Identity-Based Ministries staff group to organize congregational involvement in the initiative and to encourage the development of multicultural congregations, faith based anti-oppression, and social justice in Unitarian Universalist communities.
Building a Multicultural Ministry
The Diversity of Ministry Team's (DOMT) working plan involves a three part approach consisting of sustaining current ministries; creating healthy new ministries; and investing in a well-funded, multicultural start up congregation. This initiative is still under development. Some important highlights include:
- The creation of twelve new ministries in twelve congregations over the next five years: This process includes extensive preparatory and ongoing educational opportunities for the congregations, lay leaders, and staff; start-up funding support from the UUA; and ongoing support for the ministers.
- Similar educational and support opportunities for congregations and ministers in already existing settlements.
- The development of an in-care system available to all ministers of color and Latina/o, Hispanic, and multiracial clergy who are cleared for settlement.
- A fully funded annual retreat for ministers and ministerial candidates of color and Latina/o, Hispanic, and multiracial identities.
- Institutionalized support for a seminarians group with monthly online and conference call opportunities for community support and conversation, and annual meetings during General Assembly.
- The creation of a well-funded multicultural start-up congregation.
For more information contact idbm @ uua.org.
Last updated on Wednesday, March 26, 2008.
