The Equally different? Campaign is designed to support churches and Christian communities as they seek to be more open and inclusive. It flows from the Church’s first major report on equality and diversity issues, presented to the Methodist Conference in July this year.
The report challenged the Church to eliminate discrimination in an increasingly diverse Christian community. In particular, it highlighted the need for proper theological reflection on the issues and practical action to counter discrimination, both within and outside the Church. The Conference commended the Equally different? Campaign as a practical way to uphold and resource churches in this work.
Materials to support the campaign include house group and workshop materials and a challenge to churches to embark on a month of reflection on equalities and diversity issues. These are all available to download free of charge at www.methodist.org.uk/equallydifferent. More resources will be added as they become available, such as worship material and youth and children’s work guides, as well as additions to the existing categories. There is also a downloadable introduction to guide churches on how best to use the resources to encourage inclusivity.
Alison Parker, Equalities and Diversity Project Worker, says; ‘Issues of equality are the business of all Christians; this is about you and me as much as about 'others'. This campaign is not a shortcut to an inclusive Church, but should help to support Christians as they explore their calling to seek equality for all. The website is a growing resource - there’s plenty of material already there for people to get their teeth into but there’s also much more to come.’
The website will also feature an interactive forum where people can leave comments and share their own resources and thoughts. The campaign resources are designed to be flexible and accessible so that they can be tailored to the needs of different church groups and communities.
For more information contact Anna Drew.
Anna Drew
Lead Media Officer
Methodist Church House, 25 Marylebone Road, London NW1 5JR
Tel 020 7467 5191 Fax 020 7467 5229
Showing posts with label Equally different?. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Equally different?. Show all posts
Thursday, 21 August 2008
Friday, 11 July 2008
Methodist Conference Equalities and Diversity Report
NEWS RELEASE
9 July, 2008
First major equalities and diversity report presented to Methodist Conference
The Methodist Conference has received a major report challenging the Church to eliminate discrimination in an increasingly diverse Christian community.
This report is the result of a project initiated in 2004 by the Conference and carried out by the Equalities and Diversity Project, a representative group including members who have experienced oppression due to race, gender, sexuality and disability. The report shows the journey the Church has taken in considering these issues since 2004 and indicates the direction of future developments.
The report was presented for exploration by the wider Church, offering an opportunity for the Church to engage in its first comprehensive dialogue about the broad agenda of equalities and diversity. It addresses the many different kinds of discrimination faced by groups both with the churches but also in wider society including, sexism, racism, disablism and homophobia. It also outlines some of the stories that people in these situations have shared with the group. The stories will be collected into a series of booklets to accompany a further report in 2009.
Alison Parker, Equalities and Diversity Project Worker for the Methodist Church, says; ‘This is a major step on the road to creating a more inclusive, welcoming and credible Church. The Church as the Body of Christ is an expression of unity in the great variety of God’s creation. This report has offered a challenging and exciting opportunity to hear the voices of the marginalised and those working for change in the Church.’
The report identifies areas for further work on equalities and diversity in the Church including a theological exploration of the issues and the formulation of an equal opportunities policy for adoption by the Church in 2009.
Conference received the report and commended Equally Different?, a new equalities and diversity campaign resource for use in local churches, circuits and districts. This includes worship and Bible study materials for use by individuals and groups, resources for children and young people considering the issues and display materials such as posters and postcards. A supporting website, www.methodistchurch.org.uk/equallydifferent, also offers the chance for people to share their own experiences and ideas.
ENDS
Notes
1. The Equalities and Diversity report is available online at www.methodistconference.org.uk.
2. For more information about Equally Different? visit www.methodistchurch.org.uk/equallydifferent.
9 July, 2008
First major equalities and diversity report presented to Methodist Conference
The Methodist Conference has received a major report challenging the Church to eliminate discrimination in an increasingly diverse Christian community.
This report is the result of a project initiated in 2004 by the Conference and carried out by the Equalities and Diversity Project, a representative group including members who have experienced oppression due to race, gender, sexuality and disability. The report shows the journey the Church has taken in considering these issues since 2004 and indicates the direction of future developments.
The report was presented for exploration by the wider Church, offering an opportunity for the Church to engage in its first comprehensive dialogue about the broad agenda of equalities and diversity. It addresses the many different kinds of discrimination faced by groups both with the churches but also in wider society including, sexism, racism, disablism and homophobia. It also outlines some of the stories that people in these situations have shared with the group. The stories will be collected into a series of booklets to accompany a further report in 2009.
Alison Parker, Equalities and Diversity Project Worker for the Methodist Church, says; ‘This is a major step on the road to creating a more inclusive, welcoming and credible Church. The Church as the Body of Christ is an expression of unity in the great variety of God’s creation. This report has offered a challenging and exciting opportunity to hear the voices of the marginalised and those working for change in the Church.’
The report identifies areas for further work on equalities and diversity in the Church including a theological exploration of the issues and the formulation of an equal opportunities policy for adoption by the Church in 2009.
Conference received the report and commended Equally Different?, a new equalities and diversity campaign resource for use in local churches, circuits and districts. This includes worship and Bible study materials for use by individuals and groups, resources for children and young people considering the issues and display materials such as posters and postcards. A supporting website, www.methodistchurch.org.uk/equallydifferent, also offers the chance for people to share their own experiences and ideas.
ENDS
Notes
1. The Equalities and Diversity report is available online at www.methodistconference.org.uk.
2. For more information about Equally Different? visit www.methodistchurch.org.uk/equallydifferent.
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