MISSED IT? 

You still have an opportunity to do the categorical thinking exercises!

If you were not one of the 55 participants in our recent workshop, here are opportunities for you to find out what we did and to check your own “categorical thinking.” Feel free to browse the attachments, print them out, or use them to give us feedback. During the three-hour workshop:

1. Participants filled out this form, which got us thinking about the concerns that we – as individuals and as a congregation – would have about a prospective minister who is a person of color and/or Latino/Latina/Hispanic, with a disability, who identifies as bisexual, gay, lesbian, and/or transgender.

We also listed what benefits to our congregation we thought there might be in having a minister who fits into one or more of those “categories.” In small groups, we talked about how different our lives might be had we been born a different race, a different gender, or with a disability.

2. We took this quiz to help us clarify our thoughts.

3. Rev. Keith read us these case studies and then we discussed them in small groups before discussing them in the large group. They were extremely thought provoking!

Beyond Categorical Thinking Service & Workshop

On Sunday, December 6, the Rev. Keith Kron, Director of the Transitions Office at the Unitarian Universalist Association, gave a sermon and an afternoon workshop following the service on “Beyond Categorical Thinking.” BCT training helps congregations broaden their outlook to consider and strengthen diversity in searching congregations. The workshop was both engaging and fun, with small group discussions and challenging hypothetical case studies. It was a chance to think, to learn and to work together as a congregation to open ourselves to new possibilities.

As Director of Transitions, Rev. Kron communicates with every minister in search in the UUA. Although there are many BCT trainers, we were lucky to have Rev. Kron as ours and it was another great chance for us to showcase what a vital and welcoming congregation we are. We in the Search Committee believe the more he knows about our lively congregation, the better it will be for our search.

---

BCT is a program designed to promote inclusive thinking and help prevent unfair discrimination in the search process for a new minister. Try this: close your eyes and imagine a minister. Was it a person of a particular gender, race, or age? Without becoming aware of our preconceptions and biases, we could potentially overlook the person who would be the best match for us. Ultimately, the church membership will vote to approve the called minister. That is why it is important for as many as possible to participate in the BCT workshop.

Fair participation by everyone in social and economic life has been a cherished Unitarian Universalists vision for centuries. Prophetic leaders of both denominations were among the foremost advocates of abolition, women’s suffrage, civil rights, and prison, hospital, and labor reform. Today we lead in welcoming of gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgendered persons into our membership and ministry. We can take pride and inspiration from this heritage. At all times, however, Unitarian Universalists have practiced the very evils we sought to reform. We are not immune from prejudice and bigotry. Self-interest, fear, and ignorance may lead us to shun the “other” who is different or seems threatening. Sometimes it is hardest to act on our principles when our own congregations, not “society,” will be affected. (Read more about UUA history with BCT here.)