Diversity Committee

Meeting Minutes of October 17, 2010

PRESENT: Joan Carrier, Dolores Broberg, Pam Hermann, Kathy Cotter, Connie Baskett, Deb Theriault, and John McCall.

Deb opened the meeting with a prayer by Mother Theresa.

OLD BUSINESS:
We began the meeting with a recap of the Pride Parade in June. Joan and Deb both attended as well as Mike Kasputes, Carol Scheffler, Steve Ferris, Ed & Jill Saxby, and Elsa, and all marched behind the banner in the parade. As always, we were well received. Deb was interviewed by Channel 6 and was on TV. Joan noted that she heard a parade attendee shout out “tell God that” when he read our banner about God’s inclusive love. We were all glad that we participated and continue to have a presence at this important Pride event.

RCAD - John brought us up-to-date on the Religious Coalition Against Discrimination. John & Andrea and Elsa are all members (Elsa is on the Board). The committee formed (initiated by the Maine Civil Liberties Union) during the campaign for gay marriage and has been funded for another year. Hopefully the group will continue to do their important work if the funding ends.

“A Fish Out of Water” - This well-done film challenges common passages from the Bible used to condemn homosexuality. It was recently shown at St. Ansgar’s Lutheran Church; unfortunately, none at the meeting today were able to attend. Deb has seen it and shared it with Elsa, and it is the hope of RCAD to show it in areas such as Lewiston/Auburn and York County. Elsa will keep us informed about this.

John's Report - John brought us up to date on the closing of Williston-West UCC. The congregation has joined with the folks at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Portland (who has welcomed gays and lesbians for sometime and been “censured” by their denomination). It seems to be a good fit, and it is hoped that they will continue to grow.

NEW BUSINESS:
Deb mentioned in light of the recent suicides by several young people who were gay or perceived to be gay that we should try to support GLSEN as much as we can. Joan reminded us that GLSEN does have a table at the Mission Mall during the Holly Daze Bazaar, and Deb will contact Laurie Cary to see if they are in the Mission budget. We also need to make sure we support the ONA Coalition, which is the part of the UCC that helps churches on their journey to becoming Open & Affirming.

Diversity Sunday 2011 - Diversity Sunday will fall on January 16th (MLK, Jr. weekend Sunday as usual). John said he has heard there will not be an MLK, Jr. Breakfast that has historically been put on by the NAACP in Portland and instead there may be an invocation held on Sunday evening, January 16th.

We all tossed around ideas for the service. Elsa had just preached on “Coming Out”, and Dolores felt that we all hide behind masks sometimes and perhaps this would be a good topic. It then turned to the idea of each person’s uniqueness being celebrated, the idea that no two of us in the whole world is exactly alike. (like snowflakes! ) Another important theme was “being fully present” when we listen to someone. Pam shared a story of someone with early Alzheimer’s being forgetful and people seemingly bothered by it, but had they known this person’s “story” they would’ve been more compassionate. John suggested perhaps we have a series of vignettes telling people’s stories such as this one.

It was decided we would have a sub-committee meet with John to give this idea more shape and shake out the best parts of it all. Dolores, Pam, and Connie all agreed to be on the sub-committee. Once the minutes are shared with those not present at the meeting, if any of them wants to be on the sub-committee they are welcome to join. Members can email the committee to let us know of their interest. Once the ideas are discussed and whittled down to a workable topic, everyone will get their part to work on for the service in January.

The next meeting will be determined after the sub-committee meets, and Deb will also find out from Shirley when extra choir rehearsals for Christmas are set to begin so we’ll know when the best time for everyone will be.

Deb closed with a reading of some words of Anne Frank.


Respectfully submitted,
Deb Theriault