Urban Ministries Conference
Dialogue on Theology, Class and RaceThe participants in the 1998 Baltimore Urban Ministries Conference indicated
that one of their highest priorities was finding resources for addressing
issues of class. As one response to that expressed priority, a conference
dialogue on theology, class and race was part of the 2001 Urban Ministries
Conference program.
Outline for dialogue process:
1.) Small groups gather at round tables. Each group is asked to identify
a facilitator (attends to time and encourages everyone to participate) and
a recorder (makes notes of themes, issues and questions.)
2.) Opening reflections set the stage for each session of conversation.
3.) After the opening reflection, groups are asked to focus on guiding questions
for that session as indicated in the dialogue handout. Groups are asked to
engage in small group discussion and developing a collective response
to the questions
4.) There are two opportunities for check-in. About mid-way through the small
group conversations there is a brief time for one or two groups to have a
representative share out with the whole group an issue, question or insight
to help further the dialogue. A similar opportunity is available just before
the session ends.
5.) At a break (mid-way through the session and after the mid point check-in)
we took time for singing as well as stretching and refreshment.
6.) Each session concluded with a closing reflection on the morning's work
and preparing to move into the rest of the day
7.) Each of the four parts and the wrap up can be a session unto themselves.
Pick and choose from among the questions and/or develop your own.
Guiding questions:
Part 1: Starting with the particulars -
How has your family and personal background affected how you understand class?
What is the heart of your Unitarian Universalism?
How does your class location affect your spiritual life within UUism?
What is your conception of God (or whatever word you use for the Ultimate);
where does that come from, and what does it have to do with class?
Part 2: Class and UUism
How does class operate in UUism?
How does our worship style reflect class?
How does our religious language reflect class?
Is "class passing" a factor in our life together?
By what formal (bylaws, policies) and informal (norms) ways do we include
low income people in UUism and how do we "manage" the mixture of
classes pledging, fundraising, volunteer work, leadership, social events,
etc?
Part 3: Our theological resources
What theological resources do we have for dealing with issues of class?
What theological resources do we need?
How do our theological assumptions affect our ability to address issues of
class?
A few assumptions as thought provokers -
a.) if our work with class and race is reasoned and researched well, the results
we desire will follow;
b.) we "know" that ends we seek are "right, good and honest";
c.) we are really concerned about people and not the abstract idea of equality;
d.) when our theological understanding of race as related to class includes
an understanding of our own ethnic history, we will "see" our own
racism.)
Part 4: An anti-classist UUA
What does an anti-classist UUA look like?
How will we get there?
What is the relationship of class, race, gender, and culture?
How will this impact our anti racism work?
Wrap Up
Reflection, commentary, conversation
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