JEDI Allies (Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion)

JEDI Allies serve as a sounding board and a resource to the congregation to facilitate equality, diversity, and inclusion.  The team is comprised of congregation representatives who are also members of traditionally marginalized or undervalued population groups.  Drawing upon life experiences, they provide insights to committees and teams in decision-making positions, and others in the congregation who are equally committed to institutional changes and the transformation of our beloved community.

JEDI Allies self-identify and may intersect with more than one of the following groups.

• Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC)
• LGBTQ2SAI+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer-Questioning, Two-Spirit, Asexual, Intersex, Plus)
• Youth and younger adults (i.e., high-schoolers and 20’s to 30’s)
• Elder (75 years plus)
• Persons differently-abled (e.g., physically, developmentally, and cognitively)
• Persons of various religious practices (e.g., atheist, humanist, various world religions)
• Economically or educationally marginalized or undervalued

Our Approach:  Create a safe environment for persons whose voices are traditionally unheard and not understood to openly share their thoughts and ideals based on their life experiences, to inform congregational decisions on policies, practices, and approaches that will enhance equality, diversity, and inclusion.

We Value:  1. The process of assessing and having implemented congregational practices, policies, and approaches, through the lens of those traditionally marginalized, that will lead to institution changes and transformation; this will be beneficial to all members of the congregation. 2. Committing to greater understanding, knowledge and skill building, and ongoing reflection, positions all members to build right and authentic relationships. 3. Although we affirm and promote all seven of Unitarian Universalist Principles, the three Principles central to this team:  1^st The inherent worth and dignity of every person; 2^nd Justice, equity, and compassion in human relations; and, 6^th The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all. We are proud that HPCUU recently voted to support the 8^th Principle, which we wholly support in principles: “We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote:  journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.”

Intended Outcomes:

• Facilitate transformational process so the congregation lives into UU principles and values.
• Create an even more welcoming place for all individuals regardless of how they identify and their position the church to be better partners with each other, various organizations in the community whose values are in line with UU principles.
• Serve as a welcoming, safe, nurturing, and empowering support group for those of our congregation who have been marginalized by the dominant society.

 Organizational Components:

1. JEDI Allies, in the congregational structure, serve as a ministry.
2. Group guidelines and operational processes follow indigenous protocols. These include not having a chairperson since each
   person in the group brings an expertise based on life experiences. Instead, there is an assigned point of contact and lead facilitator; that is a rotating role.
3. Mindful that sharing one’s experiences can be painful and takes courage. All members commit to building relationships with one another and engage one another in ways so as not to result in additional harm or the re-traumatization of each other.

The Mountain Top UU

The Mountain Top is a Unitarian Universalist organization of Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPoC) and mixed-race/multiracial individuals. They offer a space for relationship building and spiritual development for UU BIPOC, by covenantally providing safe space for BIPoC individuals to share our stories, share resources, and develop leadership opportunities for members of our community.

The Mountain Top was founded in 2020 by UU religious professionals in the Colorado Front Range community. They set out to create a safe and empowering space for UU BIPoC individuals and families in the region. It quickly became clear, however, that the need for this space had a much wider geographic reach than we could have ever imagined. Community members represent regions throughout the entire United States, as well as Canada and the United Kingdom.

The Mountain Top also honors the religious professionals of the Colorado UUs United for Racial Justice, where the first conversations about creating a new space for UUs of color first began, and whose financial support made this community possible.

Vision

A world where BIPOC members in our UU communities are welcomed and celebrated as fully whole human beings.

Mission

We aim to create energy around and inspire BIPOC people to build connections and begin the conversations to create and hold empowering and affirming space. We seek to continually challenge ourselves and one another to rethink, reimagine, and recenter Unitarian Universalist space.

Resources

The Mountain Top is also dedicated to developing resources for congregations engaged in anti-racism and anti-oppression work. Go here to learn more and for Resources.

Learn more about The Mountain Top UU here.

HiP Church Involvement

High Plains Church Unitarian Universalist has made a commitment to support The Mountain Top UU along with nine other UU congregations in Colorado.

Jen Simon is serving as Minister to this growing UU BIPoC community. Jen will work with all the congregations on adopting the 8th Principle and in recognizing and dismantling white supremacy structures in our institutions.