The Sanctuary of Belonging workgroup, a subcommittee of the Racial Justice Committee, has been working to figure out a better long-term solution to the white Jesus window at the front of our sanctuary. Currently, there is a paper cutout of Jesus’s head in an effort to better reflect his Palestinian ethnicity.
Our workgroup has been in dialogue with the Table to develop a multiphase plan for creating a more welcoming sanctuary from a racial justice perspective. The alterations being done tomorrow are a result of ideas generated during the May 2022 congregational forum, the 2021 Widerstand Anti-Racism Audit, multiple Adult Ed classes & discussions, and ongoing conversations with PMC community members, we are excited to share Phase 1 next steps.
Our workgroup has been in dialogue with the Table to develop a multiphase plan for creating a more welcoming sanctuary from a racial justice perspective. The alterations being done tomorrow are a result of ideas generated during the May 2022 congregational forum, the 2021 Widerstand Anti-Racism Audit, multiple Adult Ed classes & discussions, and ongoing conversations with PMC community members, we are excited to share Phase 1 next steps.
While this is a great next step, we recognize there are still a number of stained-glass windows – and overall institutional culture – that reinforce white supremacy. Our workgroup, along with the Table, look forward to sharing the Sanctuary of Belonging multiphase proposal and getting your input and feedback. Our hope is to create a worship space that better represents the racial and ethnic diversity of the Beloved Community.
Sanctuary of Belonging workgroup: Katrina Miller, Les Sanya, Brenda Zook Friesen, Luis Tapa Rubio, Andra Zerbe, Sylvia Shirk
Sanctuary of Belonging workgroup: Katrina Miller, Les Sanya, Brenda Zook Friesen, Luis Tapa Rubio, Andra Zerbe, Sylvia Shirk
What to expect:
