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Changing who is at the table: Reflections from the EDM

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Changing who is at the table: Reflections from the EDM

Pride worship was a gift. Did you worship with us? Want to watch again? Find the AllianceQ Pride worship,  RIOT: Turning Over Tables, on our Facebook page or here on YouTube.

It’s great to get to so many compliments and affirmations for the work and witness of others. 😉 The following proclaimers, pastors, prophets, planners and participants shaped RIOT:

Each voice, word, action, invitation: a call to revolution guided by intention as we act upon and create opportunities for transformation. I sense that the depth and breadth and breath of the Spirit of RIOT will guide the ministry of AllianceQ and our movement, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

Guided by our mission to set a place at the table for persons of all gender expressions and sexual identities, we are turning over tables of injustice and we are changing who is at the table.

AllianceQ issued a call for leaders this spring. As an organization, we have been examining and will continue to examine our identity and practices so that we can imagine deeper and wider ministry. Ministry in partnership with Disciples justice ministries — I hope you’re following the #DOCjustsummer series. Ministry that moves from inclusion to belonging — what’s the difference?

A colleague and friend co-founded Connecting the Light (CtL) for speech pathology, consulting and education. Stay with me. “CtL believes that ALL people have a voice and that our world is better when everyone’s words and stories are heard.” Sound familiar? CtL writes, “We hear and understand the voices of our Black and Brown family members… No one is ‘included’ because everyone belongs. Our village is equipped to expect, accept, and learn from differences.”

No one is included because everyone belongs. And! — the Church should be equipped to expect, accept, and learn from differences. I would add CELEBRATE differences.

We are seeking to build a Council where everyone experiences belonging which will equip AllianceQ to shape belonging for LGBTQ+ individuals in the Church.  My initial greeting in October 2019 noted that we have work to do. We have bridges to build and rebuild. I provided an update in January of this year and the Council spoke out in an open letter, acknowledging that the organization can more faithfully honor the intersectionality of our many identities. You’ve read all this, I know. 😉

The Council is a leadership team of 8-12 members, commonly known as a Board of Directors. AllianceQ has five open council positions due to the resignation or removal of council members in the last 12 months. The bylaws of the organization state that the Council may appoint leaders to fulfill the terms of vacancies. This fall, two Council members conclude their terms of service; Tyler Heston and Robin Knauerhase rotate out of leadership in September. With a deliberate focus on organizational needs, the Council will appoint three leaders to join in our work beginning August 1. These appointees will be introduced in the August Crossbeams. We are excited about their gifts for this ministry!

With a strong pool of additional candidates who were referred for leadership or who submitted their own interest and applications, AllianceQ will present four nominees in the middle of August to the membership of the Alliance. Members will have the opportunity to return voting ballots by mail or virtual form with a deadline of September 14, one month from the presentation of nominees. The Council will total 11 members with tiered term lengths to both sustain and renew leadership.

The tables are turning.

There’s a place for you at the table. Perhaps you are interested in being a part of a Regional O&A team or a ministry team that focuses on intersectional justice, development/fundraising, pastoral care, education, worship, or membership. Complete this interest form. 

We celebrate ten O&A ministries with a July anniversary of widening the welcome at the table. We welcome FCC Coralville (Iowa) as a new Open & Affirming ministry! We invite you to engage with all of the Disciples justice ministries and follow #DOCjustsummer. Part of the Just Summer series, Raphael Guillen, Disciples Peace Fellowship Intern, shared this reflection about AllianceQ.
On the last day of Pride month, we raised almost $2,000 for Give OUT Day and thank all who donated. (You can still SHOW YOUR PRIDE and donate here.)
Finally, RIOT continues. Click that link for details about ongoing conversation and collaboration. Once a month starting in August, we’ll return to one of the four parts of RIOT so we can continue turning over tables of injustice as the Alliance and as God’s people. Find resources for ongoing, active antiracist work here.
Thank you for coming to the table to share, learn and widen the welcome.
One more thing: I am grateful for founding leaders and recent leaders, all, who have invested their whole selves in this ministry. Rev. Dan Adolphson has served the Alliance in various capacities for nine years. He concluded his service as Development Team Leader on June 30. In my short time with AllianceQ, I learned much and grew as a leader because of Dan’s insight, strategy and support. Dan said he’s now “just a member.” Thank you, Dan, for nine years of service and ongoing membership. Members, you are never “just a member” as we work together to build a just and inclusive church — where all belong.
CtL quotes from Connecting the Light.