Equity

Throughout the month of February, we’ll be exploring the value of Equity. We may have an opportunity to consider an amendment to this value at this year’s General Assembly. Currently, though, we’re trying on this definition and covenant:

Equity. We declare that every person has the right to flourish with inherent dignity and worthiness. We covenant to use our time, wisdom, attention, and money to build and sustain fully accessible and inclusive communities.

This may not be the definition of equity you’ve used in other spaces. It may not even be what we’ve thought of when we’ve embraced a “covenant to affirm and promote justice, equity, and compassion in human relations.” Maybe it’s a concept we find easy to affirm in the abstract without giving much thought to what it may mean for us personally.

In our culture, it seems like the guiding value a lot of people fall into is: seize what I can, call it mine, and hold on to it for dear life. It isn’t a very equity-oriented position. So, our consideration of this value might feel uncomfortable. Or at least contrary to the values expressed in a lot of media and online spaces.

We’ll begin our exploration with our own congregation this Sunday (February 11), unpacking a little bit about how our congregational covenant is geared toward equity, and what else we might need to do to build and sustain a fully accessible and inclusive community.

That will be followed up with another sumptuous meal provided by Harry’s Kitchen Crew, and a Congregational Gifts Marketplace led by the Leadership Development Committee. This promises to be a fun and engaging experience of our interconnectedness and communal strengths!

The following Sunday, February 18, we’ll expand our notion of equity just a bit by considering what actions and opportunities are manageable for us as individuals. It can be intimidating to hold a value like equity when it seems like there’s so much to be done in the world. So, what would it feel like to embrace this value in terms of meaningful actions that are within our reach?

It’s worth naming that this same consideration might apply to large scale violence and injustice we see across the globe. Understanding our opportunities to take meaningful action within our reach can provide a buffer against the overwhelm many of us feel when we take in devastating news about current events.

Finally, on February 25, we’ll contemplate the role of moral communities in addressing inequity and injustice. Like most of our values, equity is not the responsibility of single individuals. We form communities that effect justice and equity. Or communities that perpetuate injustice and inequities. How might we intentionally allow a challenging value like equity to guide the kinds of communities we co-create?

As we begin to deepen our concept of equity as a spiritual value, I invite you to consider what you bring with you into the conversation. What do you need to feel safe in this exploration? What do you need to set aside? What possibility can you invite forward? May we embrace the gifts each of us brings to the work of co-creation.