Stretching Beyond: Diversity in the Search and Call Process is a series of four story-telling videos that depict several scenarios for search committee reflection. These videos from the UCC’s Ministerial Excellence, Support and Authorization Team (MESA) broaden the search committee’s consideration of pastoral candidates by raising awareness of bias.
The videos are the result of General Synod's 2017 resolution for "Affirming and Supporting the Authorized Ministries of Under-represented Clergy in Local Congregations: A Call for Greater Representation and Economic Justice."
The videos cover the following topics:
Stretching Beyond Ableism
Stretching Beyond Sexism
Stretching Beyond Racism
Stretching Beyond Heterosexism
These videos are available online through this public link.
The Stretching Beyond discussion guide has discussion questions and the videos in order.
There is support for the Search and Call teams and processes such as the Welcoming Diversity Inventory.