Our Widening The Circle Forums are a means for our congregation, neighborhood, and broader community to explore in a creative manner critical issues of diversity, hospitality, and inclusiveness.  This is part of our commitment to be an Open & Affirming, Anti-Racist/Pro-Reconciling, and Accessible Congregation.

The Widening The Circle Forums are usually planned on a monthly basis and include a creative or interactive element (film, speaker, interactive exercises, etc.) ample time for discussion, and refreshments.  There is never a charge, and suggestions for future topics, speakers, films are always encouraged.

Extensive Resources Section Below

Archives of Past WTC Forums Here

July 2010

“Neighborhood Mapping” Focus Of July Forum

Walking Tour Photos -- Click HERE!

In keeping with the summer weather, our July Widening The Circle Forum on Thursday, July 15 at 7 p.m. will be an outdoor excursion through the Ohio City/Near West Side Neighborhood! Using a technique he first learned from biblical scholar and self-proclaimed “activist theologian,” Ched Myers, Pastor Allen will take participants on an hour-long jaunt through the neighborhood surrounding Franklin Circle Christian Church. Using guided questions and storytelling, Pastor Allen will hopefully help members of the church and neighborhood look at and think about our community in a deeper, more engaging way.

We will meet at the church at 7 p.m. for a brief introduction to the process and charting our course. Participants will need to be able to walk for an hour, with occasional breaks at “rest stops” along the way. You are encouraged to bring your own reusable water bottle that you can fill at the church. Also, bring a couple of dollars as we will stop at a neighborhood store for a drink or snack, if you would like.

In case of rain, the program will still be offered, but it will be via a projected program in the church’s Chapel Media Center. There is no charge for this event, and all are welcome. If you have need of childcare, please call the church office at least 48 hours prior to the event. If you would like to do a little preparation for this Forum, you can find a wonderful introduction to Community Mapping from the Maryland Office Of Planning at http://www.dnr.state.md.us/education/growfromhere/Lesson8/lesson8.htm
 

June -- NO FORUM IN JUNE

May 2010

April 2010

April Forum Asks, “How’s Your ‘Cultural Competency?’”

* Are the skills and talents of everyone in our community fully utilized?

* Do people of different faiths, races, ages, education levels, and backgrounds know and rely upon one another on a regular basis?

* Can we openly and safely dialogue when issues arise coming from our diversity and cultural differences?

On Thursday, April 15 at 7 p.m. Franklin Circle Christian Church will welcome William Avery and Molly Holland, founders and leaders of the Organization For Cultural Competency at our Widening The Circle Forum. This monthly forum, open to the community as well as the congregation, seeks to build a stronger foundation for healthier neighborhoods as well as for the church’s commitments to being a hospitable, inclusive, and diverse community of faith.

From the organization’s website:
Cultural competency is the ability to function successfully with people of other cultures. The Organization for Cultural Competency, which is composed of associates from different cultural and racial backgrounds, uses common values and interests to bring together people from diverse racial, religious, and cultural groups to create strong communities and organizations in Northeast Ohio. The mission of the Organization for Cultural Competency is to foster awareness and appreciation of one another’s cultures and to provide a means by which groups, organizations, and communities can open dialogue and find resolution to issues arising from diversity and cultural differences. Their vision is to create communities and organizations where the skills and talents of each individual are recognized and utilized to the fullest extent possible and without regard to racial or cultural differences. We achieve this through group conversations, community meetings, and workshops. (http://www.choosediversity.org/index.html)

There is no charge for this forum, and all are welcome. Refreshments will be provided. There is ample secured parking. For more information, go to the church’s website: www.FranklinCircleChurch.org or call 216-781-8232.

Our Widening The Circle Forums are a means for our congregation, neighborhood, and broader community to explore in a creative manner critical issues of diversity, hospitality, and inclusiveness. This is part of our commitment to be an Open & Affirming, Anti-Racist/Pro-Reconciling, and Accessible Congregation.

The Widening The Circle Forums are usually planned on a monthly basis and include a creative or interactive element (film, speaker, interactive exercises, etc.) ample time for discussion, and refreshments. There is never a charge, and suggestions for future topics, speakers, films are always encouraged.
 

March 2010

Widening The Circle Forum Studies Same-Sex Marriage
Thursday, March 11, 7 p.m.
Legally-Married Gay Couples Share Their Stories

Since Washington, D.C. became the latest principality to officially offer same-sex marriage licenses on March 3, the discussion about what exactly does this mean becomes ever more important. Joining the five states that currently offer same-sex marriage, D.C.’s law offers full marriage rights and confers full marriage responsibility to gay and lesbian couples. But how do such rulings correlate with the federal Defense of Marriage Act passed in 1996? Furthermore, what does legal same-sex marriage mean for churches and religious institutions that either affirm it or oppose it?

These, and other questions will be raised by two gay couples, both of whom have been officially married. The Rev. Michael Schuenemeyer and Rowen Garcia (pictured to the left) will share stories and thoughts about their wedding in California last summer during the window of time that same-sex marriage was legal in that state. One of Franklin Circle Christian Church’s own members, Joe Bartholomew, and his partner will talk about their wedding in Connecticut several years ago and what it means to move to a state that does not recognize the legal status of their marriage. Both couples will talk about participating in congregations which do honor and recognize their relationships and marriages. Facts about what same-sex marriage is and is not will be shared, and there will be time for discussion.

There is no charge for this event, and everyone is welcome including persons from both the church and the community. Refreshments will be served, and the program will be over by 9 p.m. The building is handicap accessible, and there is ample secured parking.

These monthly Widening The Circle Forums are a means for persons from the congregation, neighborhood, and broader community to explore in a safe, personal, and creative manner critical issues of diversity, hospitality, and inclusiveness. This is part of Franklin Circle Christian Church’s commitment to be an Open & Affirming, Anti-Racist/Pro-Reconciling, and Accessible Congregation.

The Widening The Circle Forums are typically planned on a monthly basis and include a creative or interactive element (film, speaker, interactive exercises, etc.) ample time for discussion, and refreshments. There is never a charge, and suggestions for future topics, speakers, films are always encouraged.

For more information, call 216-781-8232 or go on the web to http://www.franklincirclechurch.org/WideningTheCircleForums.htm
 

February 2010

Widening The Circle Forum Thursday, February 18, 7 p.m.
A Framework For Understanding Poverty

People in poverty face challenges virtually unknown to those in middle class or wealth – challenges from both obvious and hidden sources. The reality of being poor brings out a survival mentality, and turns attention away from opportunities taken for granted by everyone else.
The monthly Widening The Circle Forum on Thursday, February 18 at 7 p.m. will focus on issues related to poverty. The forum will be led by Pastor Allen using the book, A Framework For Understanding Poverty by Ruby K. Payne, Ph.D. Facets of poverty to be explored include:
     • What are the “hidden rules” of poverty, middle class, and wealth?
     • 12 key points to remember about poverty,
     • Poverty-related behaviors and their interventions,
     • Symptoms of generational poverty and how they reveal themselves.

If you work with and beside people in poverty, as our congregation does, and you believe that the “circle” of life is not complete without all of God’s children being present, then some deeper and understanding of how different that world is from the worlds of middle class or wealth will be invaluable. Pastor Allen will also draw upon the book he is currently reading, Where We Stand: Class Matters by bell hooks.

It is also our hope that persons who live in poverty will be with us, so that this is not a conversation “about” others, but with our sisters and brothers.

There is no charge for this event, and everyone is welcome including persons from both the church and the community. Refreshments will be served, and the program will be over by 9 p.m.
 

March 2010
*** Please note: March’s WTC Forum will be one week earlier than usual, on Thursday, March 11 at 7 p.m. We will be honored to have the Rev. Michael Schuenemeyer and his husband, Mr. Rowen de Leon Garcia, as our guest speakers. They will share their experience as a legally married same-sex couple, as well as answer questions. Pastor Allen will facilitate the discussion about same-sex marriage, how it is similar to and yet different from Civil Unions and Domestic Partnerships, and how Open & Affirming Congregations like ours can advocate for equal rights for all individuals and couples. ***

 

Great Articles:

Diversity among congregrants is essential to hearing a full Gospel
Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 15, 2010

To read this story online, go to: http://www.cleveland.com/religion/index.ssf/2010/05/multicultural_congregations_be.html

By Mark Rollenhagen
 

We all know the good Samaritan story, right?  You don't have to be religious to know that the moral of the story is that if we come across someone in need, we should help out them out.  But an interesting thing happened many years ago when missionaries read that Bible story in Tanzania.  For those Africans, the moral of the story was that God sends help in surprising and unexpected ways. They didn't identify with the passers-by who, except for the Samaritan, didn't try to help. They identified with the guy in the ditch.

That's how a seminary professor once explained how culture, social location and other factors influence how we hear Scripture.  It's also a good example of how narrowly we experience Scripture -- and how limited our understanding is -- when we read it and hear it only among people like ourselves.

On Sunday, May 23, Christians will observe Pentecost by again reading the story in Acts in which the Holy Spirit comes over Jesus' followers and they begin to speak and be understood in all languages.  It's a good time to remember that multiculturalism is not some new liberal movement in the Christian church. It is the birthright and the sustenance of a church born at Pentecost.  As historian and theologian Justo Gonzalez has put it: "What happened at Pentecost was that at the very moment of its birth, the church was crossing cultural boundaries."  Gonzalez and others have suggested that diversity in worship communities is essential to hearing a fuller Gospel.

Ronald Byars, a Presbyterian professor who has written about the importance and the conflict involved in multicultural worship, says we suffer when we limit worship practices to those things that suit our personal tastes.  "When any of us ask that liturgy be reduced to the dimensions of our experience and our comprehension, we are asking for a smaller Gospel, " Byars wrote in his "The Future of Protestant Worship."

The history of mainline Christian denominations over the past few decades is largely one of unsuccessful attempts to build community among aging European congregations and other cultures.  We hear the Gospel more fully when we hear it and talk about it among people of different backgrounds and life situations.  People of all colors and hues.  Able-bodied and wheelchair-bound.  Men and women.  Gay and straight.  Rich and poor.  Young and old, and everyone in between.

On Saturday, May 22, on the eve of Pentecost, about two dozen small congregations from diverse communities will gather at Hope Lutheran Church in Cleveland Heights for a conference called "Diversity in the Church: Lessons Learned."  It's an ecumenical gathering of congregations from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Presbyterian Church (USA), the Episcopal Church, the United Church of Christ and the United Methodist Church.  They will celebrate diversity -- the full breadth of diversity -- as a gift that helps us hear a fuller Gospel, and they will consider the challenges of proclaiming the Gospel in multicultural communities.

So often "diversity" is something that old, mainline Protestant congregations turn to as a desperate attempt to stay alive in communities where the racial makeup has changed sharply.  They try to bring in African-Americans, Asian-Americans or Latinos, whoever might help fill the empty pews and balance the church budget.  Those efforts almost always fail to bring in people or they ignite conflict that blows up a congregation.

If historic Protestants are to have a future, they must return to the Pentecost idea of a faith that jumps cultural boundaries and reclaim an identity of a church in which diverse people worshiping together hear -- and share -- a fuller gospel.

~ Rollenhagen is a student at Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus and a pastoral intern at Hope Lutheran Church in Cleveland Heights as part of his preparation for ordained ministry in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Our diversity can once again be our strength: Message of Faith
by The Rev. Louise Westfall
Cleveland Plain Dealer ~ Saturday May 16, 2009
To read this article online, go to: http://www.cleveland.com/religion/index.ssf/2009/05/our_diversity_can_once_again_b.html

The Rev. Louise Westfall (left)
Westfall is senior pastor of Fairmount Presbyterian Church in Cleveland Heights.


The City of Hope.

Cleveland became known by this name at the turn of the 19th century because of the way it welcomed a burgeoning immigrant population attracted to its abundant manufacturing jobs, strong neighborhoods and good schools, and an ethic that valued hard work, entrepreneurial spirit, faith and community good.

Today, more than 100 years later, those are still our shaping values, and ones that will help us welcome and hope, even as we struggle through economic hardship.

How ironic, then, that the very characteristic once enhancing Cleveland's vitality among American cities has become a stumbling block to its growth and resilience.

Our region is characterized by deep divisions by race and socio-economic status, ZIP code and school system. Too often, suburban communities have been pitted against each other -- and the urban core -- for resources and services and power.

Fear has dominated politics and civic initiatives: fear of the "other;" fear that "they" will claim more than their fair share; fear that there really aren't enough resources to go around; fear that hard-won gains will be lost. Fear has diminished our community's capacity to perceive diversity as a strength and rich source of creative perspectives and wisdom with which to seek solutions to our shared ills.

It doesn't have to be that way. Our religious traditions are united in claiming faith as an antidote to fear. From the natural world we see that greater diversity actually yields greater stability. A wider spectrum of voices introduces new ideas to persistent problems. A broader, more inclusive range of ideas produces more flexibility to deal with changing global realities.

Opening windows and doors to diverse people allows fresh breezes to blow upon entrenched systems and worn-out ways. If you believe that "need" is Cleveland's greatest commodity, you haven't listened closely enough to Cleveland's creative and compassionate citizens.

Why not seek the diverse voices of those in Cleveland's temples, mosques, churches and houses of worship to contribute ideas and perspectives in pursuit of a thriving metropolitan region? All over the region, these conversations are yielding positive results on a local level.

For example, a small group of Cleveland Heights parents and grandparents wondered how their church might help provide after-school alternatives for community youth. With seed money from church members, they bought a closed church building and recruited the Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland to establish their outstanding after-school program in that site.

The project grew with the support of dozens of faith communities, businesses, civic leaders, public schools, foundations and individuals. Today the program is thriving, with more than 500 young people engaged in positive learning experiences that will help them realize their enormous potential.

We know how effective collaboration is locally. Now it's time to tap the multitude of local faith resources on behalf of the whole metropolitan region.

What if every faith community dedicated a month of focus to consideration of core values and how they might be applied toward building a sustainable metropolitan region? Imagine a huge interfaith worship service in a public space such as the downtown Mall or Wade Oval to witness to our shared commitment.

Resistance to change might be overcome by the force of moral authority encouraging new initiatives and outlooks. The ice jam of fear might be broken, and Cleveland could stand with arms outstretched in welcome, once more the city of hope.

Check out this online video:  http://www.perrythepeacock.com

Archive Of Past Years' Forums Click HERE

January 2010

On January 21, 2010, the third Thursday of the month, the Anti-Racism Team of Franklin Circle Christian Church will be sponsoring the Widening the Circle Forum from 6:30 p.m.- 9:00 p.m. The event will be "Dinner and a Movie," and we will be serving a lite dinner menu and other refreshments. The feature movie will be "Imitation of Life" with a short discussion afterward to process the message in the movie.

The film is relevant for us as it explores various issues of race, relationships, and also features a solo by Gospel singing star, Mahalia Jackson. The movie centers around two mothers, one white and one black, and their two young daughters as they struggle toward womanhood. We will be showing the 1959 version (the first version was released in 1934). The film is adapted from a novel by the same title, written by Fannie Hurst, and was directed by Douglas Sirk. Be sure to mark your calendars and plan to attend, especially if you have never seen the movie!

There is no charge for the dinner or the movie, however donations will be gladly accepted! For more information, please call 216-781-8232 or go on the web to: www.FranklinCircleChurch.org. The church is located on Cleveland’s Near West Side.

Our Widening The Circle Forums are a means for our congregation, neighborhood, and broader community to explore in a creative manner critical issues of diversity, hospitality, and inclusiveness. This is part of our church’s commitment to be an Open & Affirming, Anti-Racist/Pro-Reconciling, and Accessible Congregation.

The Widening The Circle Forums are usually planned on a monthly basis (third Thursdays currently) and include a creative or interactive element (film, speaker, interactive exercises, etc.) ample time for discussion, and refreshments. There is never a charge, and suggestions for future topics, speakers, films are always encouraged.

October 2009

What Secrets Are Hidden In Your Family’s History?
Family Name Video To Be Shown & Discussed October 15 @ 7 p.m.

Join us as we watch a documentary film by Macky Alston about his exploration of his family’s heritage, and how that intersects with our nation’s history regarding slavery, race, and diversity.

Macky Alson, a young white, gay seminary student (now pastor) and filmmaker was a friend of Pastor Allen Harris in his New York City days. Macky has made a documentary film about a curious occurrence. While attending a family reunion in North Carolina one year, he noticed in the local newspaper a notice about another Alston family reunion happening nearby. When he went to investigate, he found a wonderful celebration – of an all-Black Alston family! This film looks at the intersection of family histories, the legacy of slavery and race in America, and how families deal with secrets.

Join us on Thursday, October 15 at 7 p.m. to watch this film and then discuss it afterwards. There is no charge, and refreshments will be offered. The neighborhood and community are welcomed and encouraged to attend. The church is located at 1688 Fulton Rd. on Cleveland's Near West Side, in Ohio City.

Our Widening The Circle Forums are a means for our congregation, neighborhood, and broader community to explore in a creative manner critical issues of diversity, hospitality, and inclusiveness. This is part of our commitment to be an Open & Affirming, Anti-Racist/Pro-Reconciling, and Accessible Congregation.

The Widening The Circle Forums are usually planned on a monthly basis and include a creative or interactive element (film, speaker, interactive exercises, etc.) ample time for discussion, and refreshments. There is never a charge, and suggestions for future topics, speakers, films are always encouraged.

 

Widening The Circle Forums Resume
Explore God’s Diversity Every Third Thursday at 7:00 p.m.
     On Thursday Evening, September 17 at 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel Media Center our congregation’s Widening The Circle Forum series will resume. This month’s topic will be How Communities Can Care For Those With Memory Loss and will feature a speaker from the Cleveland area Alzheimer’s Association.
     Just like the rest of our bodies, our brains change as we age. Most of us notice some slowed thinking and occasional problems remembering certain things. However, serious memory loss, confusion and other major changes in the way our minds work are not a normal part of aging. They may be a sign that brain cells are failing. Alzheimers is a progressive and fatal brain disease. As many as 5.3 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer's destroys brain cells, causing problems with memory, thinking and behavior severe enough to affect work, lifelong hobbies or social life. Alzheimer’s gets worse over time, is fatal, and has no known cure. Today it is the seventh-leading cause of death in the United States and accounts for 50 to 70 percent of dementia cases.
     Our Widening The Circle Forums are a means for our congregation, neighborhood, and broader community to explore in a creative manner critical issues of diversity, hospitality, and inclusiveness. This is part of our commitment to be an Open & Affirming, Anti-Racist/Pro-Reconciling, and Accessible Congregation.
     The Widening The Circle Forums are usually planned on a monthly basis and include a creative or interactive element (film, speaker, interactive exercises, etc.) ample time for discussion, and refreshments. There is never a charge, and suggestions for future topics, speakers, films are always encouraged.

January 2009 ~ POSTPONED ~

January Forum For Teachers, Parents, & Caregivers
     The January 15 Widening The Circle Forum at Franklin Circle Christian Church, 1688 Fulton Rd. on Cleveland’s Near West Side, will focus on exploring children and youth books that deal with diversity, justice, and multi-culturalism. The forum, set for 7-9 p.m. will seek to help parents, teachers, caregivers and other interested persons better nurture our children in such issues as race and reconciliation, differences in ability, economic differences, varieties of family configuration, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender diversity.
     It is anticipated that a librarian from the Cleveland Public Library system will be present to share books and other resources available through the library system. These will include fiction, non-fiction, and teaching resources.
     There is no charge for this event and all are welcome to attend. Refreshments will be served, and there is ample parking. For more information, go to www.FranklinCircleChurch.org or call 216-272-0622.

Flyer coming soon!

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Pastor Allen's Keynote at Advance Conference this year was all about Divinity & Diversity.  Check it out!

Saturday, August 16, 2008
“Divinity & Diversity…What Now?” Unity In Our Diversity/ Diversity And Beyond”

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Disciples Host Diverse Meetings This Summer: 2008
Every other year, when the General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is not meeting, the diverse constituency groups of the church do meet.  This summer there's a place for everyone to go!

July 10-13: The National Hispanic and Bilingual Fellowship of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada will hold its 14th Assembly at Hilton Hasbrouk Heights, New Jersey.  For more information, go online: http://www.obrahispana.org/

July 25-28: The 20th Biennial Session of the National Convocation will meet at the Marriott Hotel in Memphis, Tennessee.  The National Convocation represents African and Caribbean American Disciples. For more information, go online: http://www.disciples.org/convo/biennial.htm

August 6-9: North American Pacific/Asian Disciples of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Convocation will meet in New York City.  For more information, go online: www.napad.net

August: Gay, Lesbian and Affirming Disciples Alliance (GLAD Alliance) is still finalizing plans, but hope to have their annual event in Southern California in August.  Watch their website for more details: http://www.gladalliance.org/events.html

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To see an outline of Pastor Allen's Keynote at Advance Conference, go to the Widening The Circle Page by clicking HERE!

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Recent Past Forums:

October 2008 Forum Announced!

Widening The Circle Forum To Address New Housing Model
Thursday, October 16, 7:00 p.m.

The October Widening The Circle Forum will welcome Gerald “Jerry” Skoch, executive Director of the West Side Catholic Center, to present the new venture in which the Center is engaged called the “Zaccheaus Housing Solutions Project.” The Forum will be open to the church and the community and will be held on Thursday, October 16 at 7:00 p.m. at Franklin Circle Christian Church in the Chapel Media Center. There is no charge for this event, and refreshments will be served.

For a flyer to post at your school, work, or neighborhood center, click HERE.

An extension of the nation-wide movement called “Housing First,” the Zaccheaus Project is a tenant-based rental assistance program that uses intensive case management to help individuals and families to secure and maintain permanent housing. Using the biblical model of Zaccheaus (from Luke 19) the project is designed to empower homeless individuals who seek help. The welcome from Jesus came first. Jesus did not require Zacchaeus to change his life before he dined with him.  He offered himself first and the transformation followed. The Zacchaeus Project is a “Housing First” project. This nationally successful model provides housing first as a stable base from which to address personal barriers to success.

In an August 3, 2008 op-ed article in the Plain Dealer, Jerry explained, “The solution to homelessness is so painfully obvious that it has been overlooked for years. The first step out of homelessness is housing – not treatment, not employment, not rehabilitation, but housing. All the other steps to self-sufficiency rest on the platform called ‘home.’ Housing First recognizes this essential truth and works to place homeless people in homes of their own.”

Gerald Skoch, J.D. has twenty years of management experience as president of a local business law firm and a cabinetry-millwork manufacturing company and manager of a medical practice. He is a member of St. Christopher Parish and has served on both school committees and the church’s building committee. Very active in the community, he has provided pro-bono counsel for charitable organizations. He graduated from St. Ignatius High School; Miami University, Oxford, Ohio; and Case Western Reserve University School of Law.

For more information call Rev. Allen Harris at 216-272-0622 or go on the web to http://www.franklincirclechurch.org/WideningTheCircleForums.htm .

For more information on the topic, go on the web to the PBS newsmagazine NOW at http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/305/index.htm l or to the Housing First main website at www.BeyondShelter.org .
 

New Series Begins For 2008-2009!

Widening The Circle Forum: "Must We See To Be In The City Of God?" with Randy Knapp, Cleveland Sight Center, Thursday, September 18, 2008; 7-9 p.m. at Franklin Circle Christian Church

The community is invited to hear Randy Knapp, the Senior Assistive Technology Specialist at the Cleveland Sight Center, speak on Thursday, September 18 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the inaugural 2008-2009 Widening The Circle Forums.  You probably know Randy for he occasionally worships with us, joining his wife, the Rev. Carrie Culleen!

Randy will share with the gathered members of the congregation and neighboring community his perspectives on how churches and other community organizations can be more accessible, inclusive, and supportive of persons who are sight-impaired.

In addition to Randy's program there will be refreshments and a Question and Answer period at the end, which will include several other members of the congregation who are sight-impaired.

There is free parking, and the building is wheelchair accessible. There is no charge for this event.

Go online to http://www.franklincirclechurch.org/WideningTheCircleForums.htm  or call Pastor Allen Harris at 216-272-0622 for more information. For more information about the Cleveland Sight Center, go online to: http://www.clevelandsightcenter.org/
 

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January 24, 2008

Widening The Circle Forum January 24, 7 p.m.
“Living In Community With Our Formerly Incarcerated Neighbors”

At the January Widening The Circle Forum we will deal head-on with the question, “How does a community live safely and justly with persons who are ex-felons, persons who have been incarcerated, and those who simply have some kind of criminal record?”  Charles R. See, Executive Director of Community Re-Entry, a program of Lutheran Metropolitan Ministries, will speak from his 34+ years experience in the field and answer questions from the participants.

The forum will be held on Thursday, January 24 at 7 p.m. in the Chapel Media Center.  Persons from the church and neighborhood are encouraged to attend.  Refreshments will be offered.  There is no charge for this event.  The church's Widening The Circle Forum Series seeks to help church and neighborhood folks come together face-to-face to discuss issues of diversity in an honest and safe environment in order to help deepen our understanding and strengthen the entire community.

Since 1973, Community Re-Entry has served Cleveland by supporting persons returning to the community after a period of incarceration and persons placed on probation to reduce recidivism and enhance the quality of life for both the persons and the community served.  Community Re-Entry also provides prevention and intervention social services to youth in low-income public housing estates who are at high risk for involvement in drug or gang activity and future incarceration.  For more information about Lutheran Metropolitan Ministries, go to their website: http://www.lutheranmetro.org/index.php/Community-Re-Entry/
 

For An Archive Of Many More Of Our Past Forums, Click HERE!
 

Resources On Hospitality, Inclusiveness, and Diversity

Articles  ~  Websites  ~  Books/Journals  ~  DVD/Videos  ~  Other Resources

Articles:

“They Are There”  by, Janelle Eccleston

     By and large, this essay emerges from my personal experiences in life.  In spite of the obstacles I have begun to overcome-- or quite possibly because of them-- I am learning to be my best self.  I have experienced a great range of situations.  I am a daughter, sister, mom, grandmother, friend, a nurse by profession (not practicing), a neighbor, a long-term survivor of HIV, a sinner, and now by the grace of God, a Disciple of Christ.
     Receiving all of God's goodness inside myself allows gratitude to take over.  One dictionary's definition of gratitude is “thankful appreciation.”  The Bible is full of examples of gratitude and grateful people.  Often the term “thanksgiving” is used. Frequently thanksgiving leads to witnessing: Psalm 107:1-2 (KJV) says, "Give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever.  Let the redeemed of the Lord say so...”  Today I choose to witness my faith in Christ by stressing the message that Jesus made apparent in his actions and His works, as well as His words.  Every person is worthy of love.  Love is central to the teachings of Jesus.  “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35 RSV ).
     The opening lines of Genesis state “God created Heaven and earth,” and this is followed later by, “And all that God created was good.”  Because Jesus was God's son he reached out to all... the poor, the oppressed, the blind; he healed lepers, and he even forgave a prostitute.  His ministry focused on and was concerned with justice and righteousness.  Jesus took time for other people.  He was never “too busy.”  He took time to listen to people.  Recently Pastor Allen challenged us to be more like Christ, by, “just being.”  I am giving my best effort to rise to the challenge.   It certainly deserves every effort I can make, even if I may fail. 
     It has only been recently as I learn to relate with others in the body of Christ that I have found out how unloving I can actually be.  How many times have I been “too busy” and passed someone by? How many times have I inadvertently not really just listened? Do I know how to just be present?
     Recently during a car trip with my youngest adult daughter Leesa, we were discussing some of the problems in her life.  At some point in the conversation, annoyed and perplexed, my daughter confronted me about past times when I had not listened to her feelings.  I was hurt by her words.  However after some reflection, I came to the conclusion that I was glad my daughter loved me enough to confront me and make me aware of my behavior.  This writing is not intended to condemn.   It is merely an encouragement for us all to take off the blinders that may obstruct all possibility of seeing wider visions.  Its intention is for us to learn to think
beyond our programmed prejudices.  Being a member of one minority does not excuse us from endeavoring to reach out to those in another socially defined minority. 
     When I was in treatment for drug addiction the program was one of confrontational means, calling each other out on our behaviors, denial, lies, etc.  There was a saying we used; “If it doesn't apply, let it fly.”  I would like to employ this phrase in my essay today.
     I am proud to belong to a multicultural fellowship of faith!  The community surrounding our church is a mosaic of cultures.  The building itself is beautiful and the huge sanctuary just seems to pull you in.  When I see the empty seats on Sunday I feel a sense of personal responsibility to help fill some of them.  However, just feeling doesn't fill them.  It is only by action that I can live up to this responsibility.      
     I tend to only bring other family members with me to church…  people who are more or less, just like me… people I love… people who, for selfish reasons, I would like to see grow in faith and accept Christ.  There is nothing wrong with this per se, but I don't know why I only shower my love and affection on those I already love.  What I do know is that we can't limit our love and concern to only those inside our own families and inside the church.  Jesus said, “...don't invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors.  For they will repay you by inviting you back.  Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind” (Luke 14: 12-13 NLT).
   It seems so easy to stay focused on our own little worlds and forget that there is a much bigger world all around us.  Our faith must improve the entire community, not just our individual lives.  We are a church all hours of the week, not just Sundays. We all need to take our faith out of our church and into practice in our community.  Too often we crave the comfort of the familiar.  We must leave our comfort zones.  When I read the Gospels I feel challenged by Jesus who committed himself to those whom society has forgotten or found of little value - the poor, the oppressed, those who have no voice, those who have often not had the advantage of education. 
     There are many opportunities to help the lonely, depressed, oppressed, and less fortunate.  Look in the community that surrounds your church.  They are there.   Look in the community you live in.  They are there.  Look in your place of employment or in the schools you attend.  They are there.  You just have to find them.
     How do I find them, one might ask? Chances are if they are a minority race or culture they have been victim to racism and discrimination at some time.  I do not pretend to understand what the world looks like through a Black person's eyes, because I am not black.  But I have felt the pain of prejudice.  On a city bus in Miami Florida, I had my then small, olive-skinned, curly headed daughter Jada with me.  An absolutely angelic little blonde-haired girl with china-blue eyes, about the same age as my daughter, took a seat next to her and engaged her in playful conversation.  Immediately, her mother whisked her up from the seat and carried her to a seat toward the back of the bus.  I can still remember vividly my daughter's questioning face, and the little girls, wondering, perhaps, what she had done wrong? This is how we "program" our young.  Children do not see differences; they are pointed out to them.
    The color of one's skin, or country of one's origin, are not the only way we begin to socially malign others.  People who suffer from mental illness are often shrouded in anxiety, shame, and isolation.   Families who are often their caretakers find themselves isolated as well.  Gays and lesbians are experiencing unequal justice in our community.  Bigotry and intolerance continue to run rampant in our streets.  Fear and intolerance help to breed violence.
     We as a church community should reject any effort to place any individual or group of people outside of the human community.  As a Christ-centered church, before we get judgmental about anyone else, we need to stand in front of a mirror.  See your face in the face of strangers.  Most likely there are more commonalities than differences.  Sometimes our commonness just comes in different packages.  Isn't a gift, still a gift, no matter how it is wrapped? We can acknowledge our differences while striving to appreciate the contributions each of us brings.  Judgment is not our job, it is always God's.  Matthew 7:1 (KJV) says, “Judge not, that ye be not judged.”  We are all children of God.  We are not just individuals, we are meshed--a woven tapestry of many colors, shapes and textures.  The body of Christ is   
"knitted together" in love (Colossians 2:2 NASB).  The different gifts we each bring enrich the fabric of community.
     When my granddaughter Imani was four years old, the Head Start program she attended celebrated the children's graduation at the end of the year with a Pee-Wee Prom.  The event included being picked up and transported to the prom in a limousine.  The day of the event her mother had to work and her father was not present in her life at the time.  I carefully dressed her in her fancy dress and got her ready to attend.  She was so excited, and I felt a little glum that I was the only one there to share her excitement.  She wanted to show off her attire and delight with others, so I allowed her to knock on several apartment doors of some residents I knew casually.  It so happened at the time, that I lived in a building that subsidized housing for HIV/AIDS residents; it also happened at the time the majority of the residents were Gay men.  By the time Imani reached the front porch where the limo was to pick her up, 5 or 6 of the men were lined up to see her off!  The men knew how important the event was to her without her having to say so.  They participated in her joy by “just being present.” There was a sort of communal accountability in that apartment building; a place which was full of people torn apart by financial misfortune and disease, and yet it was an accountability which endured the entire time I resided there.  To my astonished embarrassment, several of the men thanked me, for allowing them to be a part of her special day!
     What an encouraging resolution Pastor Allen has made (to make himself more present in our community and outreach programs)!  These are the places we can all begin to create an environment that is receptive to both people and ideas different from our own.  Just by being there and opening our arms to receive people with love can make all the difference in someone else's life.  We have to resist the temptation to solely love by doing.  Just be there.  Learn to listen to other's pain and losses.  Find out what hurts them deeply, then tell them you love them.  Accept their weaknesses.  Listen to someone and most likely that person will tell you who they really are, using their own definition, rather than yours.  Sometimes we may become discouraged by a lack of what we perceive as results, however when we make ourselves available to others with the same acceptance and love that Jesus demonstrated, it is then that God takes over and our job is done.
    Jesus didn't preach the Gospels to tell us to be cookie-cutter images of each other; he didn't tell us to act alike, think alike, always agree, or even worship alike.  He told us to love God and one another.  The church of Jesus Christ is to be inclusive.  Let's make Franklin Circle Christian Church a safe harbor for all.  It is one of the richest sources of legacy we can leave with our already rich church heritage.  Wouldn't it be rousing to hear this response to someone's cry, "I don't feel safe anywhere I go!" ...with finger pointed toward FCCC, “They are there!”
 

Websites:

aha! training and educational resources about poverty

http://www.ahaprocess.com/

Teaching Tolerance of the Southern Poverty Law Center

http://www.tolerance.org/index.jsp

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Reconciliation Mission of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) (Anti-Racism/Pro-Reconciliaton)

http://www.reconciliationmission.org/

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Just Neighbors Curriculum ~ Poverty Awareness ~ Interfaith Hospitality Network

http://www.justneighbors.net/

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Accessible Congregations Campaign

of the National Organization For Disabilities

www.nod.org/religion/index.cfm

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Americans With Disabilities Act

www.ada.gov/

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Free Translation Service

www.freetranslation.com

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http://www.gaychurch.org/index.html

An affirming gay Christian (GLBT) site dedicated to ... "Building (ALL) the Body of Christ in Love!"

Gay Church is a web site dedicated to ministering to the gay and lesbian Christian community (GLBT) and friends of our community. We feature one of the largest gay and lesbian welcoming Christian church directories and bulletin boards in the world. Network with other homosexual Christians!
 

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"National Center for Transgender Equality: Home"

http://www.nctequality.org/

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Middle Collegiate Church/New York City

Multicultural Ministry

http://www.middlechurch.org/multicultural/index.htm

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http://roadtofreedom.org/cs/home

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Books & Journals:

!!! THIS SERIES BY ERIC LAW IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED BY PASTOR ALLEN!!!:

The Wolf Shall Dwell With the Lamb
A Spirituality for Leadership in a Multicultural Community

by Eric F. H. Law

In this first of his books on multiculturalism, Law uses a combination of theology and cultural anthropology to explore how certain cultures consciously and unconsciously dominate in multicultural situations and what can be done about it.

"This book is foundational for anyone involved in multicultural ministry. I know from experience that the principles and tools Eric Law offers here are invaluable for growing congregations in a context of diversity."
     -The Right Reverand Catherine S. Roskam, Bishop Suffragan of New York

Price: $16.99
Online Price: $11.55
click on the image to order from Chalice Press Bookstore

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The Bush Was Blazing But Not Consumed
Developing a Multicultural Community
Through Dialogue and Liturgy

by Eric F.H. Law

Creating a workable multicultural community isn't easy. You need understanding and sensitivity-and the techniques and processes this book can teach you.

In The Wolf Shall Dwell With the Lamb, Rev. Law explores the dynamics of multicultural misunderstandings and how different cultures perceive and use power. Here, Law builds on that by showing how to work with those dynamics to create a truly inclusive community.

Price: $16.99
Online Price: $12.74
click on the image to order from Chalice Press Bookstore
 

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The Word at the Crossings
Living the Good News in a Multicontextual Community

by Eric F.H. Law

Law encourages us to stop denying the conflicts that arise out of the differences within us and among us and to allow differing perspectives to affirm, enrich, or challenge one another. He proposes practical disciplines, models, and techniques, and includes appendices for Christian educators and pastors.

The Word at the Crossings also includes many of the short plays that Rev. Law incorporates into his workshop presentations.

Price: $18.99
Online Price: $14.81
click on the image to order from Chalice Press Bookstore

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Inclusion
Making Room for Grace

by Eric F.H. Law

In this book, Law defines and explores "the inclusive community of God," what it means, and how we can move toward inclusivity in our lives and our congregations. It includes appendices and diagrams, as well as a short play.

"There is much here that should be put into practice at once in congregations, and it is supported with a remarkably accessible biblical and theological framework-material that might be put to excellent use in adult education programs."
      -David Esterline, Dean of the Faculty and Vice-President for Academic Affairs McCormick Theological Seminary

Price: $16.99
Online Price: $12.74
click on the image to order from Chalice Press Bookstore
 

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Sacred Acts, Holy Change
Faithful Diversity and Practical Transformation

by Eric F.H. Law

Offering practical guidelines for transformation, Sacred Acts, Holy Change challenges readers to not just read and hear about the theology of change, but to actually live it! Law teaches us how to apply the techniques and theories of his extensive work, spelling out the processes for achieving genuine transformation in a congregation attempting to be multiculturally inclusive.

Law takes readers on a Process for Planned Change.  Read it with other church leaders and be transformed.

Online Price: $16.99
click on the image to order from Chalice Press Bookstore

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The God Box by Alex Sanchez

"Alex Sanchez evokes the crucifying experience of adolescents wrestling with their sexual identity and their identity as Christians. He does a remarkably faithful job of opening up long-abused biblical passages often used as proof texts to denigrate homosexuality. This book is a gift not just to teenagers, but to those who love and work with them."
--The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church
 

High-school senior Paul has dated Angie since middle school, and they're good together: they have a lot of the same interests, like singing in their church choir, and being active in Bible club. But when a new boy, Manuel, transfers to their school, Paul has to rethink his life. Manuel is the first openly gay teen anyone in their small town has ever met, and yet he says he's also a committed Christian. Talking to Manuel makes Paul reconsider thoughts he has kept hidden, and listening to Manuel's interpretation of Biblical passages on homosexuality causes Paul to re-evaluate everything he believed. Manuel's outspokenness triggers dramatic consequences at school, culminating in a terrifying situation that leads Paul to take a stand.

From The God Box:

"I wasn't sure who was crazier, him or me. During prayers one night, I'd ask forgiveness for hanging out with Manuel, but the next day I'd thank Jesus for bringing him into my life. I couldn't stop thinking about Manuel, and every time I stormed away from him, swearing never to return, five minutes later I wanted to come running back. How could I choose between my sexuality and my spirituality, two of the most important parts that made me whole?"

Lambda Literary Award-winning author Alex Sanchez tackles a subject ripped from headlines in this exciting and thought-provoking exploration of what it means to be both religious and gay.


 

DVD/Videos

Other Kinds Of Resources

Celebrate Kwanzaa!

December 26 - January 1

Click on the photo above to find a helpful Kwanzaa resource from our partners at the United Church of Christ!