Coalition Description & Values

The Bishop’s Task Force on Race and Culture was formed to proactively strengthen inclusivity, actively honor diversity, level-set equity and cultivate belonging in the Rio Texas Conference.

Along our journey, as a team, we have shared personal stories, been vulnerable, and at points disagreed while learning from each other’s perspectives. The transforming power of the Holy Spirit has accompanied us and will continue to guide our work as Anti-Racism and Equity Coalition.

We believe in the Triune God, whose very nature is relational. We believe in God as Creator, who delights in diversity, in every part of creation. We believe in Jesus Christ, who taught and healed through radically inclusive love. And we believe in the Holy Spirit, who challenges and inspires God’s people to create communities of equity. We all dream, have faults and live in God’s grace. Yet when we validate humanity, human dignity, and each person’s imago dei, we fulfill our call as people of God. 

Our charge as Anti-Racism and Equity Coalition is to animate the Conference to embody Equity, Diversity and Inclusion [EDI], and we define these terms as follow:

Equity is ensuring all people have fair access, opportunity, resources, and power to thrive, including eliminating systemic barriers and privileges.

Diversity is the variety of people and ideas within an organization.

Inclusion is creating an environment in which all individuals are valued and connected.