The four dioceses (Kansas, Nebraska, West Missouri and Western Kansas) that partner together in Bishop Kemper School for Ministry are placing increased emphasis on diversity training.
Last summer BKSM and the Diocese of Nebraska co-sponsored an event in Omaha led by Father Ernesto Medina. Next week Professor William Kondrath, retired from Episcopal Divinity School, will offer sessions stretching over two days at the beginning of Kansas’ Diocesan Convention. Beginning next year, BKSM will regularly offer a diversity course. All persons on the presbyteral and diaconal tracks must take it. We will also make it available to all lay leaders and ministers.
Understandably, attention to these issues make some persons quite uncomfortable. This training, required by the canons of the Episcopal Church, is officially called “Anti-Racism” education. Most of us think that we are certainly not racists. So why do we have to fulfill yet one more mandatory course? All of us have plenty to do already!
Workshops must address the issues of race that have plagued the US for far too long. Recent events, most notably in Ferguson, MO, have demonstrated that we cannot ignore the problems. These classes, however, address far more than race. Attention is paid to gender, sexual orientation, age, economic status, and different abilities and accessibility for all.
Participants learn how to appreciate and relate to any persons different from us.
We have long declared that “the Episcopal Church welcomes you!” In our daily office we recite the words of Canticle 18, which declare that “from every family, language, people and nation” our Lord Jesus has created one people to serve God. In our baptismal covenant we pledge to “respect the dignity of every human being.” I believe that we really do mean what we say. And yet fewer than 15% of Episcopalians represent persons from non-European backgrounds. Sadly, various persons still find access to our churches difficult.
Clearly we need more than right feelings and good intentions.
Diversity training aims to equip us to more fully realize our vision. We learn specific skills, like listening and self-awareness, that further our spiritual growth and our sensitivity to persons from many backgrounds. We don’t aim to blame or shame. No one can change the past. As Christians, as Paul said, ours is an upward call. We always press forward (Philippians 3: 12-14). We do not neglect those already in the church, but seek to warmly embrace new persons representing all the rich variety of the human family. Anglicans don’t think in “either/or” terms! We embrace “both/and.” There is plenty of room for everyone in our parishes. And if we get crowded, we’ll plant new ones!
In everything we do at BKSM, we find inspiration in the life and work of Bishop Jackson Kemper. Before the plains wars were finally behind us, he boldly planted the church among the native peoples of the American Midwest. His vision included all people in God’s loving embrace. We commit ourselves to living out his spirit today. We say that our school is about theological education for all. And we really do mean ALL!
Last summer BKSM and the Diocese of Nebraska co-sponsored an event in Omaha led by Father Ernesto Medina. Next week Professor William Kondrath, retired from Episcopal Divinity School, will offer sessions stretching over two days at the beginning of Kansas’ Diocesan Convention. Beginning next year, BKSM will regularly offer a diversity course. All persons on the presbyteral and diaconal tracks must take it. We will also make it available to all lay leaders and ministers.
Understandably, attention to these issues make some persons quite uncomfortable. This training, required by the canons of the Episcopal Church, is officially called “Anti-Racism” education. Most of us think that we are certainly not racists. So why do we have to fulfill yet one more mandatory course? All of us have plenty to do already!
Workshops must address the issues of race that have plagued the US for far too long. Recent events, most notably in Ferguson, MO, have demonstrated that we cannot ignore the problems. These classes, however, address far more than race. Attention is paid to gender, sexual orientation, age, economic status, and different abilities and accessibility for all.
Participants learn how to appreciate and relate to any persons different from us.
We have long declared that “the Episcopal Church welcomes you!” In our daily office we recite the words of Canticle 18, which declare that “from every family, language, people and nation” our Lord Jesus has created one people to serve God. In our baptismal covenant we pledge to “respect the dignity of every human being.” I believe that we really do mean what we say. And yet fewer than 15% of Episcopalians represent persons from non-European backgrounds. Sadly, various persons still find access to our churches difficult.
Clearly we need more than right feelings and good intentions.
Diversity training aims to equip us to more fully realize our vision. We learn specific skills, like listening and self-awareness, that further our spiritual growth and our sensitivity to persons from many backgrounds. We don’t aim to blame or shame. No one can change the past. As Christians, as Paul said, ours is an upward call. We always press forward (Philippians 3: 12-14). We do not neglect those already in the church, but seek to warmly embrace new persons representing all the rich variety of the human family. Anglicans don’t think in “either/or” terms! We embrace “both/and.” There is plenty of room for everyone in our parishes. And if we get crowded, we’ll plant new ones!
In everything we do at BKSM, we find inspiration in the life and work of Bishop Jackson Kemper. Before the plains wars were finally behind us, he boldly planted the church among the native peoples of the American Midwest. His vision included all people in God’s loving embrace. We commit ourselves to living out his spirit today. We say that our school is about theological education for all. And we really do mean ALL!
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