Racial Justice Training for Region 8 of the ELCA

We are called to be a church that embraces each person and confronts racial, ethnic, cultural, religious, age, gender, familial, sexual orientation, physical, personal and class barriers that can manifest as unjust treatment, inequalities, exclusion, and violence. The ELCA’s Region 8 is committed to equipping leaders to recognize and understand the complexities and implications of racism and racial issues and is offering training in the areas of anti-racism and racial justice for leaders in partnership with synods, congregations, associations, and social service agencies.

Region 8’s Racial Justice Training equips leaders to face the challenges of racism in a diverse, complex and changing world by providing tools and resources that foster healthy and holy conversations.  Each workshop addresses these aspects of racism:

  1. Talking about Race: language and vocabulary

  2. History and systemic racism in the United States, and

  3. How to begin conversations and actions in your ministry context.

Online Trainings Hosted by the Lower Susquehanna Synod

For Rostered Ministers and Lay Leaders:

  • February 19, 2022, 9 AM-2 PM – Click here to register.

  • May 13, 2022, 12 PM-5 PM – Click here to register.

  • August 18, 2022, 11 AM-4 PM – Click here to register.

  • November 7, 2022, 10 AM-3 PM – Click here to register.

Each training is offered on Zoom using a combination of instruction and small group conversation.  Facilitators will represent the region to the extent possible, spearheaded by the Reverend Carla Christopher Wilson.  Cost is $25 per person; however, if cost is a barrier, please contact Marty Shifflett at mshifflett@lss-elca.org, or 717-652-1852, ext. 115.

Because we want to make this training as accessible to as many people as possible, if two people from a congregation register, additional participants (beyond 2) from that congregation may attend at no cost.  Those additional participants are required to register by contacting Marty Shifflett.

 

In-Person Training Hosted by the SWPA Synod

For Rostered Ministers Only:

  • May 18: 9 AM-3 PM
    In Person @  Camp Lutherlyn
    500 Lutherlyn LaneProspect, PA, 16052

    Registration is Now Closed

    Please contact Pastor Melissa Stoller at melissa.stoller@elca.org with any questions about your registration.

This workshop will be led by members of the SWPA Synod Authentic Diversity and Justice Working Group and Rev. Carla Christopher Wilson, assistant to the bishop in the Lower Susquehanna Synod.

Cost is $15 per person which includes lunch, refreshments and cost of materials.

Region 8 is comprised of the following eight synods: Northwest PA, Southwest PA, Allegheny, Lower Susquehanna, Upper Susquehanna, Delaware/Maryland, Metro DC, and West Virginia/Western Maryland.

Attending this training fulfills the ELCA churchwide assembly’s directive that rostered ministers participate in racial justice training every two years.

SWPA Synod ELCA