MOVING ON IN OUR JOURNEY:

A.R.T.T. TRANSFORMS!!!

Towards the end of 2007, the Anti Racism Transformation Team (A.R.T.T.) of UUCA decided it was time to transform itself. We had worked together for four years to develop a vision, mission, and strategic plan. We sponsored trainings, book groups, lectures, and film discussions. Over 200 UUCA members had participated in these events. However, we sensed it was time to change. We did not want to be viewed as the group at UUCA who “owned” the issue or who were the “experts.” We wanted to more fully and widely invite others to participate in this conversation

In January 2008 we restructured and created a Steering Wheel of five members and launched an open monthly discussion group, A.D.O.R.E., and a year-long pilot test of a new UUA curriculum, Building the World We Dream About. You can read about all of these groups and see a diagram of our vision by using the links on this web page. We will be updating links over the next few months.

Our vision and mission remain the same. The main message we hope to give is that the A.R.T.T. of UUCA is YOU!!!

VISION

The Anti-Racism Transformation Team (ARTT) leads the Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis towards becoming a fully anti-racist, anti-oppressive, multicultural institution. We are allied with and accountable to people of color and other marginalized groups in our practices, our shared leadership, and in our ability to facilitate the dismantling of all forms of social oppression. Our beloved community is a model for the larger Annapolis community.

MISSION

the Anti-Racism Transformation Team (ARTT) is dedicated to transforming the Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis (UUCA) into an intentionally antiracist, anti-oppressive beloved community. We will partner with every level of the UUCA organization to inspire, energize and equip our congregation to be a place of safety and comfort for People of Color who will have full voice and power.

COVENANT

We commit to the elimination of racism in the Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis, and dedicate ourselves with enthusiasm to this ministry. We expect that each of us will be teacher and student; that no one is a beginner; that we will be open to new information and willing to grow in new understandings; that we will create a safe environment where we can be authentic and dare to risk our honest thoughts and feelings with each other; that we will be patient, listen actively, and respond with sensitivity to each person's contributions; and that we will express mutual care, respect, and concern for every member of the team.

In order to keep centered and bring our best to this work, we agree to:

• Begin each meeting with a chalice lighting and end with a spiritual closing
• Be punctual and attend regularly
• Maintain the confidentiality of what we share with each other
• Listen without interrupting; check out what we think we heard before responding
• Use “I” statements and be not judgmental
• Make decisions by consensus*

We further covenant to affirm with thought, voice, and deed that there is no “they” in this process. There is only “we.”