Racial-Ethnic Clergywomen's Consultation 2008

We've heard from the Lord all weekend or whatever day this is. Surely, the presence of the Lord…surely, the presence of the Lord is in this place! Thank you Lord, thank you for being in this place. Thank you for bringing us to the place where we know you're here. We thank you. And I thank you all of those; thanksgiving has gone to all of the people who made this event a possibility.

We are rising from common ground. And so I say to you as I look out on those of us that are here, and as you know your friends and others with real special gifts. Women of color, some of you, need to become candidates to become the next General Secretary of the General Council on Finance and Administration and you have friends who you need to put forth their name as we search for a new General Secretary for the General Council on Finance and Administration.

The words of God through the lips of the prophet Isaiah, would you hear them one more time? “Be alert, be present. I am about to do something brand new; it's bursting out. Don't you see it? I will make a way.” Oh my sisters and brothers, but oh my sisters, how far, how far have we come by God's grace!

I want to underscore that I am not standing here sent by the Council of Bishops or speaking on behalf of the Council of Bishops, but just sharing my observation as one who has been given the responsibility and the privilege by you to serve in this role on behalf of the church and I speak because I come to be in solidarity with my sisters; not by assignment, I come on my own. And as I make my comments, I want you to know I am fully aware that I am both privileged by my maleness and marginalized by my blackness all the time and I'm conscious of that.

Thank you, madam chair. I am very thankful to be able to be here with you and I assure you that this is the biggest challenge that I have had since I did my doctoral dissertation defense and I want to just simply say that in deference to all of my colleagues here on the dais that I am going to do my very best to be as succinct as possible and when it is eight minutes, I'll stop. Alright? I hope that that is satisfactory.

Often times we talk about race and gender and intersectionality and I think it's important to do that. But for African American women in particular, I think for Latina women increasingly and for other women of color, the way that a racist society treats the men of our race becomes an additional burden to those women. There are a million more African American women who work than African American men. Some would say what's wrong with the man; we ought to say what's wrong with the economy.

I was asked to speak because somebody told me that I might be one of the youngest participants in this convocation and it is really an honor to be a part of herstory as God wrote it. And when I was asked to speak, everyone was all excited like a young person, right? And they told me, talk bad about the bishops because they can't do anything to you. But the reality of the situation is that I am the young voice, the young voice at the table that brings a new perspective and shows you that there is hope for the future.

Good Morning! I'm glad to be able to be here with you to share briefly on what the Commission on Religion and Race is up to and the exciting new vision and direction that we have embraced for the future. At our fall board meeting in October, the board finally completed its work on a strategic plan that will be guiding our work and direction for the next quadrennium that is complete with a vision for the church that it be fully inclusive on all levels.

Good Morning. Good, good morning! It is the day before Epiphany and I am really happy. Epiphany is my favorite holiday, mainly because it's my mother's birthday but it's just a wonderful time to be here and I am very glad to be sharing with you.