Serving God's World by Celebrating Diversity
By Michelle DeRusha, R.A.R.E. team
Celebrating Diversity
in the Body of Christ
Two years ago an invitation from Bishop Maas to join a new committee
aimed at addressing racism awareness in the Nebraska Synod landed in my in-box. My
first impulse was to hit the delete key. My second was to conjure an excuse as
to why I could not possibly participate. Discussing racism with the Bishop and
a bunch of church people, all of whom were strangers to me, sounded like a
decidedly awkward endeavor.
I said yes (mostly because I was afraid to say no to the
Bishop). My husband (who had received the same email invitation) and I attended
the initial meeting, and a few months later, R.A.R.E. – Racial Awareness,
Reconciliation, and Engagement – was launched.
R.A.R.E.‘s mission is to energize the church to combat the
sin of racism. We believe that by increasing awareness about the history and
nature of racism, creating opportunities for reconciliation, and promoting
engagement among diverse people, we can better live out the command to love God
and love our neighbors. Through grace we commit to the task of shedding our
prejudices and participating in the rich blessing of human difference.
Our small committee has made considerable progress in a
short time. We compiled an annotated Racism Awareness
Resources list of recommended books, articles, podcasts and films that
encourage dialogue about racism. We created a discussion guide to
accompany the film A Time for Burning.
And most recently we developed and presented the “Everyone Has a Story”
workshop at the 2019 Synod Assembly and at subsequent church events and ELCA
gatherings around the state.
Admittedly, the work ahead still feels daunting at times. As
racial tensions persist and our country grows increasingly polarized, it’s
tempting to conclude that R.A.R.E.’s efforts here in Nebraska – and within a
denomination that is 96% white – amount to a drop in the proverbial bucket. Yet
we remain deeply committed to this work, not only because we know it’s
important for the ELCA and for our Synod, but also because we ourselves have been
blessed first-hand by the abundant gifts of a diverse community.
Our committee is composed of just seven regularly
participating members. Five are white; two are black. Some of us are pastors,
some laypeople. Some of us are members of large urban congregations, others
belong to smaller churches in rural communities. Two years ago we convened as
strangers with seemingly little in common. Over time we’ve listened to one
another and talked with increasing vulnerability and candor, even when it’s
been awkward or difficult. We’ve shared meals together and learned from one
another. In short, we have grown in community together, discovering along the
way that we are much more alike than we are different.
This is the beauty and the richness of the Body of Christ in
all its diverse glory, and this is the gift R.A.R.E. endeavors to encourage
among our fellow brothers and sisters across Nebraska.
If your church would like to connect with R.A.R.E. or is interested in
inviting us to present our “Everyone Has a Story” workshop at your
congregation, please contact R.A.R.E. chairs Miriam Blair at miriam.blair@rocketmail.com
or Brad Johnson at bradjohnson@doane.edu.
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