A place to nurture and enhance
Journey Toward Wholeness (JTW) is the Unitarian Universalist Association's initiative, which implements each congregation's anti-racism, anti-oppression commitment on a church-wide basis. At First Church, this group focuses on dismantling racism, eradicating oppression, and on bringing about transformation through increased awareness. The JTW Committee at First Church is composed of People of Color and people of Anglo/European descent, who are of various gender identities and sexual orientations. Anyone may request to serve on this committee, and members are appointed by the church Board of Trustees.
Learning Opportunities
Announcing 2020 (Cohort 3) Dates for Beloved Conversations: Meditations on Race and Ethnicity
Our 2nd cohort of 39 began October 4th and when they've completed the program, 70 First UUers--more than 10% of our congregation will have been involved. The program is an adult education class developed by Dr. Mark Hicks of Meadville Lombard Theological School and has served more than 140 UU, Jewish, and Quaker congregations.
Our 3rd Cohort will meet February/March 2020. Participants are required to attend a Weekend Retreat on Friday & Saturday, February 7-8, 2020 led by experienced Beloved Conversations retreat facilitator plus 8 required weekly 2-hour Small Group Seminars led by First UU facilitators. Groups meet on consecutive Saturdays (1-3 pm), Sundays (1-3 pm), & Tuesdays (7-9 pm). See the chart below for dates.
If you have questions or be placed on the potential participant list for the February/March 2020 session, contact Jan Garbosky (she/her/hers) jgarbosky@cox.net or Steve Howard (he/him/his) steveh4544@icloud.com.
Our 2nd cohort of 39 began October 4th and when they've completed the program, 70 First UUers--more than 10% of our congregation will have been involved. The program is an adult education class developed by Dr. Mark Hicks of Meadville Lombard Theological School and has served more than 140 UU, Jewish, and Quaker congregations.
Our 3rd Cohort will meet February/March 2020. Participants are required to attend a Weekend Retreat on Friday & Saturday, February 7-8, 2020 led by experienced Beloved Conversations retreat facilitator plus 8 required weekly 2-hour Small Group Seminars led by First UU facilitators. Groups meet on consecutive Saturdays (1-3 pm), Sundays (1-3 pm), & Tuesdays (7-9 pm). See the chart below for dates.
If you have questions or be placed on the potential participant list for the February/March 2020 session, contact Jan Garbosky (she/her/hers) jgarbosky@cox.net or Steve Howard (he/him/his) steveh4544@icloud.com.
Tuesdays - 7-9 pm |
Saturdays - 1-3 pm |
Sundays - 1-3 pm |
Wk 1: February 11 |
February 15 |
February 16 |
Wk 2: February 18 |
February 22 |
February 23 (1:30-3:30 pm) |
Wk 3: February 25 |
February 29 |
March 1 |
Wk 4: March 3 |
March 7 |
March 8 |
Wk 5: March 10 |
March 14 |
March 15 |
Wk 6: March 17 |
March 21 |
March 22 (1:30-3:30 pm) |
Wk 7: March 24 |
March 28 |
March 29 |
Wk 8: March 31 |
April 4 |
April 5 |
Videos
Learn more about Beloved Conversations & its impact from your friends in Cohort 1 & 2 or by watching the following videos.
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View "Bearing Witness Part 2" on Vimeo at vimeo.com/173618466
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View "Why Beloved Conversations" on Vimeo at vimeo.com/162554100.
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Our Lead Minister, Rev. Kathleen Owens, discusses racial justice in our congregation, including explaining the differences between white accomplices and white allies beginning at 7:09. View "A Hope Made Real" on YouTube at youtube.com/watch?v=8WERiyvOeA8.
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Race: Are We So Different?
Most of what we think about race is based on myth, folklore, or assumptions unsupported by genetics or biology. No one is free of misunderstandings about race, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Come join JTW for this 2 part class on the origins of race and racism.
Day 1: Participants will meet at FUUSD for a one hour foundation.
Day 2: We'll have free entry and tour the "Race: Are We So Different?" exhibit at the San Diego Museum of Man in Balboa Park. Then we'll participate in a workshop to learn about the science and history of race in America, talk openly about race an ethnicity and the ways it affects our lives personally and professionally, build trust among group members, and develop tools to continue these important conversations. Join us for an eye-opening look at human nature and biology. You’ll leave transformed. For new dates, check The Window.
Day 1: Participants will meet at FUUSD for a one hour foundation.
Day 2: We'll have free entry and tour the "Race: Are We So Different?" exhibit at the San Diego Museum of Man in Balboa Park. Then we'll participate in a workshop to learn about the science and history of race in America, talk openly about race an ethnicity and the ways it affects our lives personally and professionally, build trust among group members, and develop tools to continue these important conversations. Join us for an eye-opening look at human nature and biology. You’ll leave transformed. For new dates, check The Window.
Small Groups
DRUUMM (Diverse Revolutionary UU Multicultural Ministries)
DRUUMM is a Unitarian Universalist People of Color Ministry--a multi-generational collective of BIPOC from Black/African American, Indigenous & Native American, Latinx, Asian & Pacific Islander, Southwest Asian & North African, & multicultural backgrounds. All programs are BIPOC only spaces, unless otherwise noted. Our purpose in gathering is to build & strengthen community through spiritual exploration & faith formation. Our goal is to work towards anti-racism & healing in our shared UU faith. Help us lay the groundwork for a revitalized (metaphorical) "Cultural Community Garden" to help sustain us in these troubled times.
Hillcrest Campus:
1st Thursdays - 6:00 pm - Room 323 in the Welcome Center. For more info contact Kia Bordner by email at kiakiali@gmail.com.
South Bay Campus:
Every other 3rd Saturday - 11:00 am in the Social Hall. For more info contact Kathleen Garcia-Horlor by email at uukhorlor2@cox.net.
More events to be announced soon! To get involved, contact Kia Bordner by email at kiakiali@gmail.com or Rev. Tania tania@firstuusandiego.org.
Building and Deepening Relationships (Maggie Marshall)
Workshops and presentations on implicit biases, inclusion, and microaggressions to the Lay Ministers and Good Relations Committee.
Coordinating with the Parents Group to give a presentation on JTW, the work we are doing, and how it can be integrated into their group.
DRUUMM is a Unitarian Universalist People of Color Ministry--a multi-generational collective of BIPOC from Black/African American, Indigenous & Native American, Latinx, Asian & Pacific Islander, Southwest Asian & North African, & multicultural backgrounds. All programs are BIPOC only spaces, unless otherwise noted. Our purpose in gathering is to build & strengthen community through spiritual exploration & faith formation. Our goal is to work towards anti-racism & healing in our shared UU faith. Help us lay the groundwork for a revitalized (metaphorical) "Cultural Community Garden" to help sustain us in these troubled times.
Hillcrest Campus:
1st Thursdays - 6:00 pm - Room 323 in the Welcome Center. For more info contact Kia Bordner by email at kiakiali@gmail.com.
South Bay Campus:
Every other 3rd Saturday - 11:00 am in the Social Hall. For more info contact Kathleen Garcia-Horlor by email at uukhorlor2@cox.net.
More events to be announced soon! To get involved, contact Kia Bordner by email at kiakiali@gmail.com or Rev. Tania tania@firstuusandiego.org.
Building and Deepening Relationships (Maggie Marshall)
Workshops and presentations on implicit biases, inclusion, and microaggressions to the Lay Ministers and Good Relations Committee.
Coordinating with the Parents Group to give a presentation on JTW, the work we are doing, and how it can be integrated into their group.
Downloads
Who to contact
JTW Core Team members
Issac Castro, JTW Core Team Chair isaac.castro.87@gmail.com
Alpa Patel
Jan Garbosky jgarbosky@cox.net
Maggie Marshall maggiemarshall2@gmail.com
Steve Howard steveh4544@icoud.com
Education (Jan Garbosky, Steve Howard)
Museum of Man Race Exhibit tours and microaggressions workshop
Beloved Conversations: Meditations on race and Ethnicity
Planning Fifth Tuesday Board meetings
Worship and Music (Isaac Castro)
Participating in planning and leading worship services
Updating the Welcome Words
Policy and Practice (Alpa Patel)
Reviewing hiring, training, and evaluation of staff with regard to inclusion.
Finance (Jan Garbosky and Alpa Patel)
Explicitly including JTW work in the church budget.
Issac Castro, JTW Core Team Chair isaac.castro.87@gmail.com
Alpa Patel
Jan Garbosky jgarbosky@cox.net
Maggie Marshall maggiemarshall2@gmail.com
Steve Howard steveh4544@icoud.com
Education (Jan Garbosky, Steve Howard)
Museum of Man Race Exhibit tours and microaggressions workshop
Beloved Conversations: Meditations on race and Ethnicity
Planning Fifth Tuesday Board meetings
Worship and Music (Isaac Castro)
Participating in planning and leading worship services
Updating the Welcome Words
Policy and Practice (Alpa Patel)
Reviewing hiring, training, and evaluation of staff with regard to inclusion.
Finance (Jan Garbosky and Alpa Patel)
Explicitly including JTW work in the church budget.
