Amy Robbins Named as the CTC Coordinator for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

The Central Texas Conference (CTC) is excited to announce Amy Robbins as the Coordinator for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. This position, which is aligned with the Central Texas Conference Episcopal Office, was created in response to the report and recommendation of the Inclusiveness Umbrella Team during the 2021 Annual Conference (page 130-132 of the 2021 Central Texas Conference Journal). The Coordinator for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is responsible for providing leadership in the conference-wide initiative to End Racism in Our Lifetime, including moving CTC members from awareness and in to “AACtion!” with respect to racism and all aspects of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. 
 
“I am delighted with the announcement that Amy Robbins will become the Central Texas Conference Coordinator for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion,” acknowledged Bishop Mike Lowry, episcopal leader of the Central Texas Conference. “I believe the establishment of this office marks a significant step forward in faithful discipleship formation. Through Amy’s work and the efforts of this office and our commitment to end racism in our lifetime, we will be living out the biblical mandate so eloquently shared by the Apostle Paul in Galatians 3:28 – ‘There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.’ Discipleship flourishes in diversity, equity and inclusion.”
 

Amy Robbins begins her new role on Jan. 1, 2022 and is eager to begin partnering with CTC churches in their DEI efforts. "My desire to help the Central Texas Conference become a more diverse, equitable and inclusive conference stems from my desire to be faithful to God."

In this role, Amy will work closely with the Inclusiveness Umbrella Team and other CTC teams to move the Conference forward regarding DEI. Amy was chosen from among several well-qualified applicants. Her knowledge of the CTC combined with her passion, eagerness and enthusiasm for engaging this work were key factors in her being selected.
 
“In a time when qualified candidates are difficult to come by, we were blessed to have several excellent finalists for the DEI Coordinator position. Amy Robbins rose above the rest!” exclaimed Rev. Jannette Miller, Chair of the CTC Inclusiveness Umbrella Team and Senior Pastor of China Spring UMC. “Amy demonstrates an exemplary level of passion, preparation, and awareness of the challenges that lie ahead in this DEI work. I have no doubt that she will give this work and the people of the CTC everything she’s got as she leads us in our goal of Ending Racism In Our Lifetime and in becoming the diverse and inclusive community God created and calls us to be!”
 
“It is exciting to have Amy step into this role”, says Dr. Clifton Howard, assistant to the Bishop and Chief of Staff for the Central Texas Conference. “This is an important time for our Conference and world. We are clear that to make disciples of Jesus Christ, we must give attention to issues related to DEI. The one is connected to the other. I have high confidence in Amy’s capacity to help the Conference embrace DEI as we seek to make disciples of Jesus Christ. It is challenging and difficult work but work we must do. I expect that Amy will do a wonderful job leading the effort.”
 
Amy has worked in the field of Human Resources for more than 20 years, often with the responsibility of leading a team of Human Resource professionals. "I strive to empower a diverse culture in every organization for which I work, and to create a place of inclusiveness and respect where every employee has the opportunity to learn and contribute to the company," Amy stated.
 

Amy and her daughters Amelia and Chelo at the Grand Canyon

After moving to Temple, Texas from New England in 2010, Amy served the South District of the Central Texas Conference as the District Administrator. In 2020, following the changes to the district structures brought about by the Forward to a New Spring initiative, she relocated to Fort Worth and has served as the District Administrator for the East District. "What I learned very early on in my District Administrator role was that I am called to partner with our churches in their ministries,” Amy reflected. “For me, the fulfillment of the work that I do is 100 percent about relationships that I make and maintain. It has been a blessing for me to walk beside the churches of the Central Texas Conference and help to provide them with the tools and support that help them in our mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world." 
 
Looking ahead to her work as Coordinator for DEI, Amy says that she is very much looking forward to working with the churches of the Conference and learning more about their particular strengths, challenges and opportunities in the area of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and then working with them to move forward in their DEI goals. “My desire to help the Central Texas Conference become a more diverse, equitable and inclusive conference stems from my desire to be faithful to God,” Amy said. “As the Coordinator for DEI, I will walk beside the churches of the Central Texas Conference and together we’ll create cultural practices and inclusion programs to address the entrenched systems that have perpetuated inequities. I will to do this by discovery, awareness, trust and a commitment to AACtion in our work to End Racism in our Lifetime. A commitment that will of course carry forward as the Conference addresses other societal inequities in the future.”
 
“Amy is sold out to the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world and sees the DEI work as inseparable from that mission,” asserts Jannette Miller. Amy is a bridge builder who has a demonstrated ability and willingness to have uncomfortable conversations and handle difficult situations with grace and courage, leaving all persons involved feeling heard and valued and believing that solutions can and will be reached.”
 
Amy will begin her duties as DEI Coordinator on Jan. 1, 2022. Please join the CTC staff and the Inclusiveness Umbrella Team in eagerly welcoming Amy to this vital new role and in praying for her continued ministry to the people and churches of the Central Texas Conference.

Amy lives in Fort Worth. Her two daughters Chelo (22) and Amelia (24), both recent college graduates, also reside and work in Fort Worth.  When Amy is not working, you can find her at the local library picking out several books to read or on a walk through her neighborhood with her daughters and her cats Zeke and Ella (yes, the cats go on the walks too).