CURRENT ISSUE

Feature Article

Becoming God's Beloved Community

Vamos todos al banquete, a la mesa de la creaciónCada cual con su taburete, tiene un puesto y una misión.

Let us all go to the banquet, to the table of creationEveryone with their own seat, with one purpose and one mission.

The words of this song from the Popular Mass of El Salvador describe a vision of community in God's reign that is rich and powerful. In this vision of community everyone is present and there is room for everyone at the table. Moreover, each person at the table has a purpose and a mission to share for the good of the whole community, reminding us that true community arises from relationships and the active involvement of every member. The vision of racial justice is just such a community.

The 211th General Assembly (1999) adopted a policy statement entitled "Facing Racism: A Vision of the Beloved Community," which called on the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to "embrace racial and cultural diversity as God-given assets of the human family," and to be agents of change by becoming "an antiracism community, resisting oppression and working to overcome racism" in the life of the church and society.

This prophetic call to action is rooted in our biblical and theological understanding of what it means to be human and in covenant relationship with God. The struggle for racial justice is a fundamental expression of our Christian faith. The biblical vision of the beloved community begins in our common origins and identity as children of God, and affirms that God calls us into relationship and community with each other as one family-a family that is enriched by our diversity.

Presbyterian Women Antiracism Initiative

The voting representatives to the 2000 Churchwide Business Meeting of Presbyterian Women unanimously approved a resolution declaring Presbyterian Women in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) an antiracism organization and reaffirmed their 1997 commitment to strive to eradicate racism.

For Presbyterian Women, adopting an antiracist identity means:

Presbyterian Women is a community where
--all persons are treated with respect
--all gifts are valued and encouraged

Presbyterian Women is an organization which
--reflects the commitment to antiracism in its structure
--shares power
--works in a collegial style

A Presbyterian woman is a person who
--willingly examines her own cultural norms and standards
--is free to be heard for who she is

As an antiracist organization, Presbyterian Women
--works intentionally toward the elimination of hierarchical power relations
--increases its commitment to becoming an inclusive, caring community

Teresa Chávez Sauceda is the associate for racial justice and advocacy, National Ministries Division, PC(USA).

Learn more about antiracism efforts in the PS(USA) and PW in the January/February 2004 isssue of Horizons. Call 800/524-2612 to subscribe or order now.

Back to top | Previous Article | Next Article