Introduction to the Justice and Equity Team

Hi folks! I’m Amber.

Over the past two years, I had the pleasure of working alongside Erin with the Canadian Unitarian Council on some exciting and challenging inclusion work. Together, we launched this blog to introduce you to some fantastic people who are “getting into the weeds” of inclusivity and to share tools that make this tough work a little easier.

Although Erin has now moved on from the CUC, her contributions to this work have been invaluable. Her insight, creativity, and powerful metaphors helped shape much of what we’ve built so far. I’m deeply grateful for the time we spent working together and the foundation we created.

Now, I’d like to reintroduce myself and invite you along as I continue this work.

In some ways, Erin and I had a lot in common. We’re both artists, storytellers, mothers, and conversation starters. We each experience a mixed bag of social privilege and oppression and have been open to discussing how these dynamics impact our lives and perceptions. In other ways, we were quite different—sparking dynamic conversations and mutual growth.

Amber here:
I’m a long-time Unitarian Universalist (UU). My involvement started as a young adult and continued into adulthood. I love my UU community and have created lifelong friendships. That said, several aspects of who I am have sometimes made me feel excluded. So it has been deeply personal and meaningful to lead these inclusion efforts. In everything I do, I aim to show up with vulnerability and encourage others to do the same. I have seen vulnerability transform hearts and minds! I am confident the difficult work of changing ourselves and our institutions can be made much easier when we come with an open heart.

In this blog, I’ll continue blending the heart work with the head work required to transform our lives and the systems we co-create. Whether you’ve connected with me through workshops, forums, or coaching sessions—or are new to this work—this space is for all who are invested in building a more just and inclusive world.

Wherever you are, and in whatever work you do to bring joy and inclusivity into the world, I look forward to continuing the journey with you.

Before you go, say “hi” in the comments. We’d love to know who you are and what you hope to gain from this blog.

Call and Response, the Canadian Unitarian Council’s new blog, is a forum for sharing ideas, tools, and resources with people and organizations who want to create a more loving, just, and equitable world.

Amber Bellemare is the truth healing and reconciliation program coordinator for the Canadian Unitarian Council.

Subscribe to the CUC Blog Call and Response