To enter the consensus process at this weeks delegates meeting, Sept. 17th. Please take back to your collectives so that we're prepared to engage in this process with representation from all groups.
Please respond here with any further questions or feedbacks so we can further this process with due diligence. Thanks.
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Liberation Ministries (LM) has requested that we move forward with a consensus process this Thursday, Sept. 17th. They feel that it’s essential for them to have a space to begin their work and so they must begin investing their time elsewhere if the Omni cannot come to at least a preliminary consensus to move forward with their request for space on Sunday mornings and Friday evenings. They feel that while there may be many questions and concerns, it will be most productive for us to get to know them through the concrete work they’ll begin doing once they have a commitment from us to let them use the space. In short, they feel like their hands are tied, having spent considerable time already in our process without any commitments, while they need to move forward immediately with concrete results if they’re to live up to what their work promises: working in the community, providing for the needs of others.
Summary
The purpose of this proposal is to create a formal relationship between LM and the Omni Commons. Cheryl Ward is the pastor of LM, which has a small existent following seeking to start a new congregation and grow into a larger ministry. They’ve yet to hold their own Sunday services, which is essential to their growth, because they don’t have a building. They intend to begin their services in the Omni and grow from here.
LM at this time is content with being considered a tenant or some other form of relationship that provides them with a level of commitment from the Omni for their use of the requested space. They’re confident that their ability to collaborate and contribute to the space will manifest, whether they become a collective member now, later or never. As they’ve stated in their application, they’re not interested in creating a “social club,” they’re interested in expanding their involvement in the community by meeting the needs of those in the community. Their use of space in the Omni is meant to provide a safe space for their congregation to welcome newcomers, to develop their vision and to gather the basic necessities required to provide for the community outside the building.
To find out more about Cheryl Ward, who is the leading pastor of Liberation Ministries, check here: http://cherylwardministries.com/about_us
Terms of Agreement
Open to being a collective member, a tenant or reserving their use of space and access through the Commons wg. It’s up to Omni delegates to decide on how to move forward with processing these Terms of Agreement
Seeking commitment of 1+ years
Use of space
Host a congregation / religious service on Sunday mornings from 9am-11am
Open to meeting in rooms that suit the size of the congregation, especially as the congregation is still forming.
Ideally in ballroom with use of piano and other instruments, but can be occasionally flexible to shift to other locations in the building (such as Disco Room or Basement).
Host youth activities and discussion nights on Friday evenings, including collaborations with Peralta College students and Material Print Machine
Access to a private space or office for conversations / consultation / administerial work
24/7 access to the building to conduct the above
Concerns Expressed by Delegates in Previous Meetings
1. Their use of the space on Sunday would limit our ability to provide this space for others
We followed up regarding this concern with the Commons WG and learned that Sunday morning during the time from 9-11ish (am) when Liberation Ministries would have service has seen only six events since last November 2014 when the Omni Global calendar started being used
Two of these were all day events--Capoeira and a "Fundraiser for Legal Fees".
Of the other four, three were short two-hour rehearsals and one was something called "Love Chapel"
Three of the six events started at 11am
There were a few more events that were in the Ballroom starting at noon on Sundays, but not many
And Sudo Room hosted in the ballroom:
Bay Area Consortium of Hackerspaces (BACH) Unconference Sept 25-26, 2014 that started at 10am on Sunday
2. They’re religious values will conflict with Omni’s Statement of Solidarity and Safer Space Policy
Cheryl has continually stated that LM is aligned with our SOS and SSP
Cheryl has made it clear that LM would not seek space in the Omni if they didn’t recognize the potential for collaboration between LM and the other groups in the Omni. She wants to make clear that it would not be in the best interest of LM to begin building ministry in a place that they didn’t feel would foster the growth they’re seeking
There’s been many lengthy emails posted on the LM Omni email discuss thread in defense of liberation-based Christian congregations and pastoral practice. Liberation Ministries is a black-led organization coming to Omni with need for space, so that they can begin to work in the surrounding community
Our SOS calls for us to prioritize the needs of such an organization, even if they conflict with some of our personal views on religion, etc.
Furthermore, stated in our SSP, Omni is dedicated to being “inclusive of the largest number of contributors, with the most varied and diverse backgrounds possible,” which includes being a welcoming environment for all especially with regard to religion (or lack thereof), among other inclusions
LM welcomes the involvement of other religious or nonreligious groups or individuals in their ministry
For LM, ministry is social justice work
3. What is the governance structure of LM?
As Cheryle stated in the 8/27 delegates meeting, “we share governance. not a hierarchy. it's about input from everybody and we collectively make a decision. majority votes on the directions we go in, what we do, how we do”
4. What work will LM be doing and who will they be working with?
Welcomes our neighbors in the surrounding area of Temescal and North Oakland to the Omni
Very much in line with our founding vision and Statement of Solidarity to support low- to middle-income black families, working with youth, working with those most marginalized
Tangible anti-gentrification work, providing an inviting space for organizing those most affected
They have offered to help with specific elements of building maintenance and upgrades in the Omni
Liberation Ministry’s Original Proposal for Collective Membership (this included here for reference, see Terms of Agreement above for revised proposal/request for use of space at Omni)
Liberation Ministries is a new church led by Pastor Cheryl Ward. We are seeking a space to have our Sunday services and where we can participate in a community working for social justice.
1. Mission statement
We endeavor to be change agents in our local community and globally, and turn whatever space we are in into a change agency. Our commitment is to transforming lives. We do ministry but it's not a ministry unless we are transforming lives. We are not a traditional church. We welcome EVERYBODY. The core of it is love. Our goal is to be loving and non-judgmental. We have trans, same sex loving, black, white, asian, Latino, Native American members etc.
2. Origin and group history
Cheryl has 36 years in ministry, community organizing, and activism, and has pastored 3 churches. This is a brand new congregation in formation, looking for a place to hold Sunday worship services and committing ourselves to social justice activism in the city. There is a board of directors of five members, who operate under a shared governance policy. As a general rule, Cheryl and at least one of the board representatives will meet regarding building issues.
3. Participation in the Omni
We see the richness of the collective and the opportunity to really transform this neighborhood, as well as to bring the community into the things that are going on here.
How does your group intend to use the space? What are your needs?
9-12 on Sundays for services (in the ballroom); an office space if available (potentially the room next to Phat Beets; some private space for counseling sessions (same room); use of a space every Friday nite for a hangout for teens (any available space in Omni. We are willing to be flexible about sharing the available spaces with others.
Offering big flat screen TV abt 46" and a floor model big screen t.v. for shared use and use with teens for movies, videogames etc. Just brought a Hammond B3 Organ to the Omni for shared use. Working on obtaining other musical instruments. Brought 6 additional pews to the Omni. We will actively conduct a door-to-door campaign to meet neighbors and inform them of our presence and find out the needs of the community.
4. Group finances and paying rent
What does your group do to support itself financially?
Write grants, Sunday offerings, and contributions from supporters What is your best plan for contributing your potential share of rent to the Omni? Rent $250 - $300 a month to start but we can negotiate an increase once revenue generation of the above begins.
5. Dedicated space
Office desk and filing cabinet.
6. Other contributions to the Omni
Help with cosmetic maintenance like painting.
We can use our relationship with the Conservation Corps to invite them to come in to help on building work.
Help make vending machines now in CCL happen with snacks for the teens who come to our Friday night event Work with MPM and BAPS.
Cheryl has a collaboration with Peralta Colleges and would seek to have a printing press class. Printing of items and books could serve as a source of revenue generation. Young people could could learn and get credi.
Talk to paint store (Frazee) about using their parking lot on Sundays or other times.
7. Additional
We would be here to be a contributor, not to subtract anything from the Omni. If we're not contributing we don't need to exist.