Racial Justice and
Ethnic and Equity
In 2020, the Racial Justice and Ethnic Equity (RJEE) Task Force team was created and began meeting regularly to develop a mandate and begin research. Initially, they met with denominational leaders from outside the FMCIC, who invited them to listen to stories and process the various experiences of their diversity and anti-racism task forces. The group spent time talking, praying and reading as they narrowed down their focus.
The conversations were rich and demonstrated the diversity of opinions and approaches that people from varied backgrounds and education take when considering the work of racial justice.
After creating and sharing their report with the Board of Administration in 2021, the task force became a Team.
The first task the team tackled was their name which was initially the Anti RacismTask Force to and became the Racial Justice and Ethnic EquityTask Force. The team wanted to ensure that while they are communicating the need to end racism, they ought to help individuals move away from the notion that “race” is real. In other words, we are humans, created in the image of God and it is this understanding that we should be pointing one another towards with the hope that it will lead us towards a more just and equitable society for all, regardless of distinctives, culture, language and ethnicity. This focus is not to point us towards the problematic idea of “colour blindness”, but rather it is intended to invite one another to acknowledge, celebrate, validate and declare that the beautiful design of diverse communities, skin tones, ethnicities, practices and relationships is God-breathed.
Secondly, they determined that the overarching goal is biblical shalom that extends from church leadership, both nationally and locally, ushering in the possibility of transformation that leads to racial and ethnic diversity, inclusion and equity into the neighbourhoods where we live and minister.
Thirdly, they created objectives that are intended to help put the mandate into practice and keep the team focused on specific tasks.
resources
Racial Justice and Ethnic Equity Task Force Board of Administration Report – March 2021
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Working Terms
Celebrating Black History in Canada
Mandate
The RJEE Task Force will offer recommendations to the Free Methodist Church in Canada (FMCIC) Intercultural Engagement Team (IET) and the Board of Administration (BOA) to empower our leaders and congregations to address the reality of racism in all its forms and the need to intentionally implement a justice and equity strategy that rejects systemic racism.
Our goal is that our movement would embody ethnic diversity, conciliation, and deep intercultural relationships as necessary markers of biblical shalom.
Our goal is that our movement would embody ethnic diversity, conciliation, and deep intercultural relationships as necessary markers of biblical shalom.
Our objectives will be to…
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