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racial justice and multicultural ministry The Association of Ethnic Minority Lay and Ordained ministers (EMLOM)The purpose of EMLOM is
to provide a safe space for minority ethnic Ministers, lay leaders,
Elders, and minority ethnic persons in ministry in the United
Reformed Church to come together and share stories, struggles,
experiences, and offer pastoral support to each other. EMLOM meet with the Secretary for Racial Justice at least three times a year, a weekday in London, a Saturday in a different Synod and a two day residential to share their experiences and to offer pastoral support to each other.
Background
In June 2002 the ‘Black & Asian Ministers’ (as it was then known) asked the Racial Justice Secretary to draft a remit for the group. It noted that its name was rather exclusive and agreed that a more inclusive title needed to be found. The Racial Justice Secretary welcomed these steps since the changes to the United Reformed Church racial justice programme with an Assembly Committee and Post meant that the B&A group was now having to adapt to new structures and relationships. A new title and formal remit should bring clarity to the group’s identity, purposes, tasks, and responsibilities. It should also assist in clarifying how it relates to the Assembly Committee for Racial Justice, and other aspects of the United Reformed Church racial justice programme that the Committee administers.
At its meeting in September 2003, the Racial Justice Committee affirmed its continuing support for the group. The Committee acknowledges the group as a crucial part of the United Reformed Church racial justice empowerment programme for which it is responsible. Mindful of the group’s wishes above, the Committee urged the Secretary to draft the proposed remit as a matter of urgency and to consult with the group on these issues before the end of 2003, with a view to the Committee considering them in spring 2004.
A. Proposed new title: ‘The Association of Ethnic Minority Lay and Ordained Ministers’
(i) This title is proposed because it also includes Ministers in the United Reformed Church from minority ethnic backgrounds that are not Black or Asian; (ii) The term minister is all inclusive, in that it implies more than just those ordained for ministry but to also include lay leaders and other forms of ministry that should enrich the membership and life of the group.
B. Proposed Remit: 1.1 The Association of
Ethnic Minority Lay and Ordained Ministers – its composition This Association (EMLOM) shall aim to bring together all United Reformed Church Ministers and lay leaders of minority ethnic backgrounds. It is a gathering of United Reformed Church minority ethnic members in ministry.
The Secretary for Racial Justice his/her P.A. and the Convener of the Racial Justice Committee shall be ex-officio members of EMLOM.
EMLOM shall choose its own chair (two years non-renewable) and the PA to the RJ Secretary will be its Secretary. EMLOM may co-opt persons with particular skills or representing particular categories as it sees fit. The Association may invite ecumenical representation as appropriate.
1.2 The Work of EMLOM The purpose of EMLOM is to provide a safe space for minority ethnic Ministers, lay leaders, and minority ethnic persons in ministry in the United Reformed Church to come together and share stories, struggles, experiences, and offer pastoral support to each other.
It is a forum from which they may respond to current racial justice issues and challenges in the church and society, through theological and spiritual reflection and worship.
It provides space and opportunity to consider their ministry and how to best use their time, energy, and gifts to enrich the mission and life of the United Reformed Church. Together the group must find ways to interact with other ministries and ministers of the United Reformed Church in order to make its contribution to enabling the United Reformed Church to respond meaningfully to the multi-racial/multi-cultural nature of society and the church.
EMLOM members must assist in the development and promotion of racial justice and multicultural ministry wherever appropriate.
1.3 EMLOM & RJC EMLOM is part of the United Reformed Church Racial Justice Programme for which the Assembly Committee for Racial Justice (RJC) is responsible. RJC has responsibility and oversight in terms of the activities, finances and other resources for the Association.
EMLOM together with the Racial Justice Office is responsible for running its meetings.
EMLOM may make recommendations to the RJC on important issues of racial justice and multicultural ministry that will assist the Committee in carrying out its responsibilities effectively.
1.4 Administration &
Costs EMLOM shall normally meet three times a year of which one of them could be residential.
Administration assistance shall be provided by the Racial Justice Office as necessary.
Costs of meetings shall be borne by the Racial Justice Committee’s Budget.
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