"Intercultural Ministry, Exploring, De-normalizing": Personal notes of my own learning at Friday & Sunday Intercultural Gathering/Workshop
Personal notes I took during Friday and Sunday Intercultural gathering/workshop at The United Church in Meadowood (Jan 16 & 18, 2015)
FRIDAY - WINNIPEG PRESBYTERY
- Exploring power
“Why do we (need to) talk about power when talking about intercultural context?”
Sources of power?
Disruptions?
"We need to constantly examine pieces of power. Every context is so different."
“How would you describe what you think intercultural might mean for church?”
Virtue of curiosity. Genuine curiosity.
Power - “We are complicit with normalization”
- "de-normalization”
In 2006, Intercultural was named as “mutually reciprocal relationships among and between peoples/cultures.”
It is about “effectively engaging with difference and challenging unequal power relations.’
It Is a call that brings us back to what it means to be the church together.
It leaves no one un-changed, and is … for transformation for us all.
Mutual recognition
Respect
Understanding of difference
Intentional self-examination
relationship building
equitable access to power
SUNDAY - WITH THE UNITED CHURCH IN MEADOWOOD
Power Analysis Worksheet
- Equality - Homogenization
(Colour blind, gender blind, age blind? No. we notice the differences.)
Emphasis in the process
Seeks equal treatment for all. Equal opportunities for all.
- Equity - identifies and notices differences
focuses on differences.
emphasis in the ‘outcome’ - “everybody is fed and nourished.”
Seek full participation and inclusion of all
justice (right relations)
Access with equity and to equal opportunity, some people with unseen injuries and hidden disabilities, and some with disadvantages, would like this....
ReplyDeleteHi, there, thank you for your comment. That makes me think even more deeply, as I recently welcomed in my church a young person who I see has many challenging gifts the one can offer. I used exactly 'disadvantages' ... when I reflected on the person's needs and gifts. I believe that those 'disadvantages' would be transformed to be challenging gifts for others if we truly welcome the person and engage with the one. Thank you for your comment, again.
Delete