Anti-Racism/Pro-Reconciliation Questionnaire Results
1. How does your congregation live out the Genesis story that we are all made in the image of God, or not?
Shelby Haggray
Everyone is welcomed to join and participate in the life of the church.
Frederick Nelson
Motto: Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open to All.
Our planning agenda for potential activities covers a broad range is issues ranging from poverty, racial justice, immigration, food security, the environment, healthcare, gender identity, war and peace, communities, social justice.
In recent years we have emphasized food security and immigration. Racial justice issues have become important for some of our members.
Katherine Blaisdell
One of the ways we strive to recognize the image of God in all people, and in so doing dismantle racism, is to honor the diverse genders of folks in our community. We understand that the dehumanization of trans folks and others who don’t conform to gender norms is deeply tied into both racism and sexual violence. (See, e.g., https://www.nsvrc.org/blogs/saam/what-are-connections-between-transphobia-racism-and-sexual-violence.) Rigid, binary gender norms keep us from joining with folks who are different from us. If we believe in being an anti-racist church, then we must examine and push back against the ways our social codes about sex and gender are racist. If we strive to be a safe space for all, we must find ways to care for folks who experience violence because of their gender expression.
Mike McMahon
We are also continuing to replace or refine art in the church building that has only portrayed God/Jesus and God's people as white. Our social justice group and our art-and-music team have been hanging images of the dvine that range form scenes of nature to holy art from all over the world.
(1) In worship, we use the bodies and spirits that have been made in God's image to reveal the presence of Christ in the gathered community and to engage together in acts of worship: gathering, greeting, listening, responding, singing, thanking, praising, lamenting, standing, processing, eating, drinking, going forth. (2) In advocacy and in acts of service, our church honors the full human dignity of each person, including the unhoused and the hungry.
Elizabeth Baird
At Rockville Christian Church we are very intentional on including opportunities for everyone not matter age, stage, race, orientation or ability to participate in our worship services in leadership positions. We want people to know this is their church.
We move this beyond just our own services by providing space for a Hispanic Pentecostal church, and an Indian Orthodox church to meet, but these are not just nesting churches, we find many times to both celebrate and mourn together as a wider community.
Martha Brown
The Identity Statement of the congregation affirms the personhood and dignity of all individuals and covenants with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada to be part of our movement for wholeness in a fragmented world. "We welcome others as God has welcomed us and our welcome knows no boundaries of gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, family configuration, age, race, ethnicity, national origin, socio-economic status, mental or physical condition, dependencies or addictions, or any designations imposed on individuals who have known the pain of exclusion and discrimination by church or society."
We monitor our words and our behaviors in light of this statement.
2. What are the stories and histories that are told in your congregation?
Shelby Haggray
Somewhat myopic reflection on its own history and development. Not a lot on history in a broader sense.
Frederick Nelson
We hear stories from as far back as the 1960's when members were active in racial justice and poverty areas, especially school desegregation. We had a transgender member of the choir at one point. Elders and Deacons positions became open to all with no gender discrimination. The Communion Table has always been "open." For many years we have been providing support for various community activities through making our building available for non-profit and church related activities.
We had "Head Start" programs here in the 1960's. This was transformed into the ALIVE! Child Development Program up unitil the time of Covid. ALIVE! administrative offices are housed here. Alcohol Anonymous groups and Scout Troops have been welcomed here for many years. We currently also have diverse religious groups sharing the building.
Katherine Blaisdell
We tell the stories of the Bible, seeking to perceive God's word for us today in them. We tell stories of our ancestors, the cloud of witnesses who came before us in our church and in our lives of faith. We don't tell enough stories of people of color, but we are growing in that. We don't tell enough stories of queer folks, poor folks, or otherwise marginalized folks, but we sure are working on it!
Mike McMahon
In our congregation we hear stories of diverse backgrounds, of varied paths to faith, of communities that have affirmed and of communities that have rejected some persons because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Elizabeth Baird
As Advent approaches I am reminded for our tradition of having a hanging of the greens service. I make a special effort during this time to include more than just European traditions for why and how we decorate our church and celebrate.
We also put a special emphasis on how loving our neighbors does not mean just the ones who look or believe the way you do.
A few years ago one of my congregants asked if I could include some stories about African American Disciples of Christ and how they contributed to the life of our wider church during services for Black History month. This was such a well received addition that I have been incorporating more stories of early Disciples from all walks into services on a more regular basis.
Martha Brown
On one of the hallways in the church is a photo gallery of all the pastors who have served the congregation. That display of photos prompts the asking and the telling of the stories and histories related to the congregation and the communities we have been called to serve.
