Intercultural Diversity Commission of
Shining Waters Regional Council
Call for nominations to volunteer and serve on this important new commission
PURPOSE
The new Intercultural Diversity Commission will encourage and engage Shining Waters Regional Council, its Executive and Commissions, and its Communities of Faith in honouring and living into intercultural mission and ministry.
This new commission will give leadership from minoritized and racialized perspectives to become an intercultural church. Believing that God has blessed and created diverse cultures and languages in diverse bodies, and that we are created for relationship with God and with one another, the Commission will develop language, wisdom, and practices of growing in interdependence and integration within the Church; resisting assimilation or separation; and where worship, language, spirituality, and culture cannot be separated.
With a commitment to engaging in long-term work, the Commission will courageously name and dismantle prejudice, discrimination, and racism in our midst, among and between our diverse communities.
Building on present glimpses of hope for an intercultural church that is intentionally justice-seeking, the Commission will encourage a space for all to learn from and be changed by being in relationship with one another, in mutual recognition, respect, understanding of difference, and toward full and equitable participation and sharing of resources.
The Commission will engage in building a common understanding of what intercultural diversity looks like in the regional council context, where diversity remains central to faith and where new communities from different nations and cultures will continue to join this journey and expand our cultural identity.
“Delight yourself in (YHWH) and you will be given the desires of your heart.” – Psalm 37:4. If being part of this vision of an intercultural Church speaks to the desire of your heart and you feel called to offer your gifts or if you know someone who should be considered for this role, please consider this opportunity.
More information can be found in the full proposal available through these links:
Proposal for an Intercultural Diversity Commission (PDF | 4 pages) Approved October 2020 by Shining Waters Regional Council
Intercultural Diversity Commission Policy – February 2021 (PDF| 2 pages) Approved February 2021 by the Shining Waters Executive
MEMBERSHIP
A Chair and 6 to 12 members to allow for some regional representation, ethnic/cultural diversity, abilities, gender identities, and with a balance of ministry personnel and laity. Members should have a deep analysis of what it means to be an intercultural church based on lived experience, work in anti-racism and cultural diversity in the church, and a passion for this work.
TERMS OF OFFICE The term will be three years with a renewal for one term. After a one-year hiatus, an individual may be elected again.
MEETINGS The Commission will meet by electronic or other means 8-10 times a year. The primary language of meetings will be English.
TO APPLY
The Nominations Committee of Shining Waters Regional Council invite you to either nominate:
- Someone who you believe has the passion, lived experience of diverse cultures and knowledge, commitment to an intercultural church vision that is anti-racist, and is willing to be an important member on this commission.
- Yourself, feeling called and having the passion, lived experience of diverse cultures and knowledge, commitment to an intercultural church vision that is anti-racist, and willingness to be an important member of this commission.
Please fill out the online nomination form below, or download a hard copy to be mailed in. If you are nominating someone else, please ask the person being nominated to answer the questions on page three of this form.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
The Nomination Committee will accept applications any time up to June 7, 2021. The committee will meet on June 10, 2021, to review.
APPLICATION FORM