June 2026 COMma: Exploring Implicit Bias for COMs

One of the Marks for Faithful and Effective Committees on Ministry is “practicing hospitality to all persons,” (pp. 16-17, MOM). Practicing hospitality to the diversity of God’s people begins with warmth and openness and then requires so much more. Those seeking authorization and authorized ministers who come before a COM expect that the COM will be prepared to receive them graciously and with educated understanding, cultural humility, and a commitment to the belief that God calls a great diversity of persons to minister in and on behalf of the United Church of Christ. Practicing hospitality does not happen by accident. It requires self-awareness, dedication to on-going education, and a commitment to justice. An important part of this intentionality requires us, individually and collectively, to understand the barriers to hospitality, including bringing the ways that we may inadvertently create obstacles for some and unfair ease for others because of implicit bias. All humans have biases, and unchecked bias can cause harm and interfere with the movement of God’s Spirit in our midst. The MESA Team, with the guidance and support of the Damascus Project, has developed a new resource called Exploring Implicit Bias: for COMs to provide COMs with a new way of ensuring that all COM members have a shared understanding and common language of implicit bias and its functions. Exploring Implicit Bias: for COMs offers opportunities for self-reflection and COM assessment so that COMs can have another tool to truly provide hospitality to all persons.  

Exploring Implicit Bias: for COMs is in two parts: part one is a self-paced, on-line learning experience that takes approximately six hours to complete. Part two is a Zoom gathering with others who have completed the training. Facilitated by the Rev. Melanie Oommen, Minister for Committee on Ministry Development and Leadership, this two-hour workshop will give participants the opportunity to reflect on their on-line learning experience and integrate this learning into their ministry on the COM. Exploring Implicit Bias: for COMs is free to all participants. The Damascus Project is graciously allowing us to use their on-line learning platform. Log-in is required so that participants can access their individual learning portal as needed. COMs can use this training opportunity in a variety of ways: as onboarding for new members, on-going education individually and collectively. If you have questions or need assistance with Exploring Implicit Bias: for COMs, please contact the Rev. Melanie Oommmen, oommenm@ucc.org.

To access this new resource, use this link: Exploring Implicit Bias: for COMs. Or you can find it in the COM Resource Library under “Creating a Hospitable COM.”

In what ways might Implicit Bias: for COMs be of use to your COM?