Response to PAAM and to UBC

**The following was sent to PAAM and UBC as two seperate letters.  The content, however, is exactly the same which is why they share one posting.

July 31st, 2008

Dear PAAM Leadership,/Dear UBC Leadership,

We, the members of the reconstituted Governance Follow-Up Team are sending this letter to let you know that we are very aware of the concerns that have beenr aised -both by your group and by voices from among other constituencies and individuals of the United Church of Christ, related to our work in recommending a new governance model for the UCC.

We want you to know that your concerns about adequate representation on a new board structure of members from the Historically Under-represented Groups and about an ongoing commitment to being a Multi-Cultural, Mutli-Racial; Open and Affirming; Just Peace; United and Uniting, Accessible to All church are our concerns, too, as we represent many of these groups and hold these values.

We acknowledge that there has been great pain and disappointment felt by some members of our church related to experiences of racism, injustice and marginalization.  Please know that it is our deepest desire that the United Church of Christ move into a future that is characterized by an end to institutionalized racism and inustice and in which God's peaceable realm and passion for justice for all are lived out in all of our lives.  These concerns have been lifted up numerous times in our deliberations.

Simply put, we want to say, "We hear you."  We also acknowledge that the healing of the wounds that many have suffered and the repair of relationships is something that cannot be accomplished overnight, but rather is part of the ongoing work of the church, as we live into the redemption that God's love has made possible for us.