In 2022, the REA committed to structural changes and support aimed at increasing our justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion practices (JEDI). Dr. Christine Hong was chosen as our first JEDI Officer, and the Board began what would be a long term process to transform our association to work ever more congruently with our mission and values. Read about REA’s historic move here.
One of the first efforts of this work has been to develop a Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct for our work together, and these were completed in January 2025. The JEDI officer’s 2023 annual report provides details on the guild’s focus during the first year of JEDI activity, and the 2024 annual report reviews the second year of our efforts, under the leadership of our second JEDI officer.
This page offers a brief introduction to how we conceive of JEDI work, and points towards a brief, but curated set of useful resources. For example, you can find a brief introduction to the move from DEI to JEDI, a discussion of how JEDI principles are being considered in higher education endowments, and an introduction to Dr. Sheryl Metzgner, our second JEDI Officer, appointed in October 2024, and her appreciation of our JEDI values at REA.
- Sheryl Ann Marie MetzgnerJEDI OfficerSheryl Ann Marie MetzgnerPublic Constructive Queer TheologianAlumna: McGill University (BSc, MEd), Carey Theological College, U.B.C. (MDiv), University of Birmingham, U.K. (PhD)Kitimat, British Columbia, Canada
- REA Board, Ex Officio
- REA Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Officer
- REA Board Steering Committee
Questions to share your JEDI Reflections about an REA meeting.
REA Circle Helps from “The Little Book of Circle Processes” by Kay Pranis (2005)
Resources for JEDI in higher education:
AAC&U
Association of Theological Schools
American Academy of Religion
Library Science
Resources for JEDI in social religious education contexts:
The JEDI commitments from Earth Ministry in WA state, USA