Centering: Navigating Race, Authenticity, and Power in Ministry

by Mitra Rahnema (Editor)

In October 2015, a group of distinguished UU religious professionals of color gathered together in Chicago to embark on a radical project. The conference was sponsored by the UUMA's Committee on Antiracism, Anti-oppression, and Multiculturalism. It started with the premise that discussions of race in Unitarian Universalism have too often presupposed a White audience and prioritized the needs, education, and emotions of the White majority. The goal was to reframe Unitarian Universalist anti-oppression work by putting the voices, experiences and learnings of people of color at the center of the conversation. The resulting book, Centering, captures the papers that were presented and the rich dialogue from the conference to share personal stories and address the challenges that religious leaders of color face in exercising power, agency, and authority in a culturally White denomination. Centering explores how racial identity is made both visible and invisible in Unitarian Universalist ministries.

Genres: Nonfiction, Religion, Race, Anti Racist, African American, Social Justice, Spirituality

222 pages, Paperback

Published May 25, 2017

Reviews

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This vital collection of essays from a conference of Unitarian Universalist religious professionals of color explores important themes of power, respect, dignity, authority, spirituality, integrity, and the challenges of centering the experiences of different cultures and communities that comprise those called people of color from the predominant center and culture of Unitarian Universalism, which is in many congregations and at the associational level, white and Anglo. Great vulnerability and great strength are expressed, and I can hope that religious professionals and congregations take up these themes and explore how better to become the vibrant multicultural promise these ideals of Unitarian Universalism call us towards.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Religious professionals of color talk about their experiences as Unitarian Universalists. Important to hear their stories -- the challenges of saying "I serve a Congregation;" missing elements of worship in most UU services, challenges of micro-aggressions when they are in a leadership role, how Congregations are unintentionally unwelcoming. Lots to think about as we struggle with white supremacy.

[Ellen]

This was an excellent book, especially for Unitarian Universalists, because the essays were all written by UU ministers of color. It absolutely gave me a better understanding of white privilege. I am happy to say that the discussion will continue in our congregation.

[Rwathen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was not written for me as a white, female religious educator as the purpose was to center the voices of UU ministers of color and so it did beautifully. I'm thankful for the opportunity to listen and learn from those voices.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

An important book for all Unitarian Universalists to read, providing perspectives on ministry in our denomination. I did find the layout frustrating; the quotes were important but the way they were interspersed throughout the text broke up the flow of the essays. You were forced to either skip them and go back to read them or read them with the essay and lose the argument.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought provoking!

Excellent set of essays on the challenges and opportunities for ministers of color in their work, especially when called to lead UU congregations that are predominantly Anglo-Saxon. Very thought provoking!

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I only vaguely knew what my colleagues have so painfully and thoughtfully shared on these pages. Now that I know, I can't un-know.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The essays were really good, and it's my fault that I didn't realize this was going to be quite as inward-facing a discussion as it was. As a white lay UU, it felt a bit like realizing my parents (or ministers in this case) are human. There was a lot of pain in the essays that I wasn't really prepared for - I expected the book to be more didactic and less actively processing experiences. All that said though, very insightful and thought-provoking, and seems like it should be required reading for any UUs involved in ministry or working with ministers.