The mission of the office of Intercultural Ministry is to serve the Episcopal Diocese of Texas in its vision to embrace all people in mutual love and respect. We strive to make the Diocese one church reconciled by Jesus Christ and work towards a vision of the Kingdom of God which includes all people. It is our goal to teach our various communities to respond faithfully to the call to be inclusive of all cultures and people. We bring support thru resources, training and encouragement to congregations and institutions that are wanting to engage in evangelism and outreach to all populations.
Statement Amid Unprecedented Times
"Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." — 1 John 3:18, NIV
The Bible does not explain compassion like you might find in a dictionary, rather the Bible consistently defines compassion by showing us what it looks like in action. Jesus's compassion and unfailing love in the world has always been at the center of our Christian calling. Jesus lived and breathed compassion and so must we. We are living in unprecedented times amid political divide, a global pandemic, and people’s fight for justice. This is not a time for debate, but rather we are called to listen deeply, learn compassionately, and act responsively.
As we roll out new resources for you to use, we pray that you use them in a way that leads you to personal and community growth and action. We are always here to help you explore which resources might be best for you and your community so know that we walk with you in faith and compassion.These resources will fall under 3 categories:
- Practical Processes for Difficult Conversations
- Forthcoming Diocesan Resources
- Resources Beyond The Diocese
Please click here to read the Bishop's statement.
Practical Processes for Difficult Conversations
- Sacred Ground – A churchwide program with a focus on race
- Fierce Conversations – Pilot will be in late July. Contact Denise Trevino-Gomez for information.
- Building Bridges – Offers 40+ different topics such as gun control, immigration, political elections, white privilege, etc. Registration details TBD.
- Civil Discourse – A churchwide 5-week curriculum
Forthcoming Diocesan Resources
- How to Preach on Racism webinar led by The Rev. Rhonda Rogers and The Rev. Lisa Cressman
- How To Lead Difficult Conversations on Racism webinar led by The Rev. Dr. Eric H. Law
- How To Lead Difficult Conversation on Political webinar led by The Rev. Dr. Eric H. Law
- History of Slavery in Texas webinar - TBD
- Leading Bible Studies Around Racism webinar led by Ryan Hawthorne and Maria Bautista-Vargas
- Missional and Anti-Racist webinar led by Jason Evans
- How to Talk to Your Children About Race webinar facilitated by Stephanie Townes
- Intergenerational Conversations Around Race and Politics webinar led by Denise Trevino-Gomez
- Pilgrimage - TBD
... more to come
Resources Beyond The Diocese
- Course: Spirituality and Race
- Video: White Awake
- Article: White Privilege
- Study: The Way of Love – Practices for a Jesus-filled life
- Tool: Implicit Biases Assessment
- Article: When the Cameras are Gone … Will We Still Be There?
- Podcast: Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?
- Podcast: A Decade Of Watching Black People Die
- Film Series + Study: Traces of the Trade
Matthew 25:40 teaches us: And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’
Denise Trevino-Gomez
Missioner for Intercultural Development
713.353. 2115
Denise coordinates and executes a diocesan-wide series of programs specifically designed to increase understanding and appreciation of diversity and inclusion. She works with various diocesan entities on community building, leadership development, intercultural youth events, building multicultural communities, and other areas of our church life.
Workshops
We have long struggled with the sin of racism in the church. The complexity and deeply layered roots of prejudice, stereotyping, inequalities and discrimination are often at the core of how racism remains ever too present in our world today. As Christians, we have learned that we will be judged on how we treat others because how we have learned that how we treat others is how we treat Jesus.
The Sin of Racism
We have long struggled with the sin of racism in the church. The complexity and deeply layered roots of prejudice, stereotyping, inequalities and discrimination are often at the core of how racism remains ever too present in our world today. As Christians, we have learned that we will be judged on how we treat others because how we have learned that how we treat others is how we treat Jesus.
And even though we have named racism as a sin, it is still deeply present in many of our churches, communities, and in our own lives. This section of the website is designed to offer resources to help you in your work around dismantling racism. The struggle is real. We have lost our humanity and have darkened our hearts when we stop addressing issues around privilege and discrimination.
What is God calling you to do, be or change in the world? Thru these resources, we invite you to explore that question always asking…what am I called to do, be or change? These videos, articles, poems, music, suggested readings and dialogue questions are here to help our congregations and anyone wanting to dismantle the sin of racism.
Reconciliation
Reconciliation is a way to address, in a more faithful way, the spiritual and moral layers of human conflict so that we may live more fully into our call as Christians in the communities we serve, and in the world. To live as Christ followers, we must be willing to lean into uncomfortable dialogues in order to seek peace where conflict is present. Reconciliation is key to our Christian faith so we must focus there within the ministry of social healing so that we may be whole with God.
Becoming Beloved Community: Introducing the Episcopal Church’s Long-Term Commitment to Racial Healing, Reconciliation and Justice
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and House of Deputies President the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings and officers of the House of Bishops and House of Deputies are inviting Episcopalians to study and commit to using Becoming Beloved Community: The Episcopal Church’s Long-term Commitment to Racial Healing, Reconciliation and Justice. The full document is available here.
Three Epistles on Race in America
The speaker series, “Three Epistles on Race in America,” explores contemporary black/white relationships using writings that, while perhaps lesser known than King’s famous “I have a dream” oratory, resonate powerfully today.
WATCH THE FULL CURRICULUM
Commissions and Ethnic Ministries
COMMISSION ON BLACK MINISTRYCOMMISSION ON HISPANIC MINISTRYThe Bishop Payne Scholarship
About Mission Amplification
The Mission Amplification team works directly with individuals and faith communities in the diocese to help both traditional congregations and missional communities to be healthy and vital. We are charged with helping churches live fully into the Body of Christ by forming individuals into the image of Christ.
We support congregations as they strive to fully live into the Beloved Community, where all seek and serve God in all persons and respect the dignity of every human being. Healthy and vital congregations will strive for justice and peace for all people which involves listening to one another closely and having difficult conversations as they seek to collaboratively transform their neighborhoods into the Kingdom of God.