THINK OF A MINISTER. DON’T THINK OF AN ELEPHANT.
Chances are, you thought of both. And distinct images perhaps came to mind. In terms of a minister, what images came to mind? Was it a person of a particular gender, race, or age?
Beyond Categorical Thinking is a highly recommended part of the search process for our congregation. In finding the person who would be the best match for our minister, we could potentially overlook or even let biases keep us from knowing that a particular person would be the best match for us.
Other congregations have assumed that their ideal minister looks a certain way, and often ministers who are not white or male or heterosexual or able-bodied or of a particular age or class are discounted and seen as “less than” in some ways.
Credentialed ministers in our faith who are People of Color, LGBTQ+, disabled, young, old, working class, etc. still face discrimination as part of the ministerial search process.
In our efforts to find the best match, our congregation will host a Beyond Categorical Thinking worship service and two-part workshop on August 7 and 8. We will have trainers come and meet with our Search Committee and facilitate a three-hour conversation where will have a chance to examine how we can avoid letting prejudice become a part of our search process. This is yet another way for us to put our faith into lived experience and improve the odds that regardless of identity, we will find the minister who is the best match for us and who will serve us well.
This opportunity allows the entire congregation fuller participation in the search process. It will allow us to explore our hopes and concerns for a new minister, learn more about the search process, and see how our own history (both personal and congregational) might interfere with our efforts in this search.
So please Zoom in with us on August 7 from 7-8:30 PM and August 8 from 10-11:30 AM.
If you plan to go, please fill out this questionnaire (https://uua.wufoo.com/forms/z1hramvf0vgx3bx/) by Friday night if you have the time. Saturday morning is also good 😀
Zoom meeting information (you may have to copy/paste links):
Friday August 7, 7-8:30 PM
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://zoom.us/j/97992820814?pwd=ZHlmalRLTXFldVNXT2NMU21TK0JBQT09
Meeting ID: 979 9282 0814
Passcode: 192121
Or dial in by phone:
+1 346 248 7799
Meeting ID: 979 9282 0814
Passcode: 192121
Saturday August 8, 10-11:30 AM.
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://zoom.us/j/97329583699?pwd=dmRPaW1Nb3JKWWVkNEpWWjA5M3Z3Zz09
Meeting ID: 973 2958 3699
Passcode: 236134
Or dial in by phone:
+1 346 248 7799
Meeting ID: 973 2958 3699
Passcode: 236134
Please contact us if you cannot find the links.