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| Members of the SED Dream Team (2012) |
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Building the World We Dream About in the Southeast District
The Dream Team is a district committee comprised of nine anti-racist Unitarian Universalists determined to build the world we dream about in the Southeast District. This is a team of highly experienced, knowledgeable, committed people who will lead us into what it means to be the Southeast District in the 21st century.
The Dream Team formed in response to the recommendations made by the Southeast (then Thomas Jefferson) District Anti-racism, Anti-Oppression, and Multicultural Re-envisioning Task Force (2009-10).
Mission
The SED Dream Team’s mission is to support Unitarian Universalist congregations and communities in removing the barriers that prevent them from fulfilling the vision of Beloved Community.
Vision
The SED Dream Team’s vision is of a Southeast District where every congregation is committed to eliminating racism, where all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, class, abilities, or sexual or gender orientation, are treated with respect and dignity, where people in our congregations are in covenantal relationship with one another and with other congregations, and where anyone who wants be Unitarian Universalist is faithfully welcomed.
Members of the Dream Team
(See photo Top Right) From left to right: Back Row: Dr. Leon Spencer (Statesboro, GA), Recording Secretary Margaret Link (Raleigh, NC), Angelina Carpenter (Knoxville, TN), Chair Pat Callair (Eno River, Durham, NC), James Armstrong (Richmond, VA), Front Row: Annette Marquis (SED), Rev. Audette Fulbright Fulson (Roanoke, VA), Dr. Kathy Shiba (Foothills, Maryville, TN), Judy Turnipseed (Columbia, SC), Ann Zimmerman (Winston-Salem, NC).
The Dream Team intends to extend its work to many other interested people throughout the district through the development of six focused working groups.
Working Groups
Building the World We Dream About
Led by Pat Callair, James Armstrong, and Angelina Carpenter
The Building the World We Dream About Working Group is responsible for anti-racism, anti-oppression, multiculturalism (ARAOMC) consultation with congregations, training trainers, providing resources to congregations, and helping congregations assess what they need to get beyond the barriers that prevent them from creating Beloved Community.
Governance
Led by Dr. Leon Spencer and Ann Zimmerman
The Governance Working Group focuses its energy on the ARAOMC practices and policies of governing boards in our congregations, on congregational by-laws, mission, vision, and covenant and on helping elected lay leaders create the structure to support their congregation’s expressed commitments to multiculturalism.
Professional Religious Leaders
Led by the Reverend Audette Fulbright and Judy Turnipseed
The Professional Religious Leaders Working Group engages ministers and professional religious educators in understanding the barriers they face in the work of creating anti-racist, anti-oppressive, multicultural congregations and assists them with the resources and the support they need.
People of Color Network
Led by Dr. Leon Spencer and Dr. Kathie Shiba
The People of Color Network Working Group connects people of color in the district, encourages and supports leadership development opportunities in congregations and the Southeast District, and works to identify barriers to full participation of people of color in Unitarian Universalist congregations and communities.
White Allies Network
Led by James Armstrong and Angelina Carpenter
The White Allies Network encourages awareness of and education about white privilege, supports congregational leaders and members in developing personal anti-racist practice plans, trains trainers in white ally skill-building, such as Teaching Tolerance Speak-Up workshops, and supports the development of a network white anti-racist activists.
Crossroads
Led by Ann Zimmerman and Dr. Kathy Shiba
The Crossroads Working Group is concerned with the intersection of oppressions, specifically class, accessibilities, and LGBTQ oppression and their linkages to race and ethnicity. Their role is to lift up these concerns with congregations to assure that no one is excluded from the Beloved Community in our congregations.
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