Led by:  Dr. Rebecca Davis, Associate Professor of Christian Education

Workshop Description:

Even a cursory glance at the news broadcasts the division among us as a nation and as a people. Democrat or Republican. Trump or Biden. Voting Rights or Securing our Election. There are those among us, even in our pews, who disagree to the point of dismissing a fellow sibling in Christ. While some draw lines in the sand or down the aisle, one in seven children in America live in poverty, and one in six are hungry.

Regardless of personal politics or worldview, there is little biblical, theological, and moral wiggle room for the faithful to step away from the harsh realities in which so many of God’s children live. While it may be debatable whether church leaders should or should not take personal political stands from the pulpit or teaching position, the requirement to equip disciples to make faithful and moral decisions based on their faith is not debatable.

Teaching Social Justice in Comfortable Congregations and a Divided World is not an elective; it is the essence of what it means to live into our baptism. It is our privilege and our sacred responsibility to teach those who seek to follow in God’s ways how to bridge the divide between the personal piety of beliefs and the public decisions and practices of our lives.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4  | 11:30 A.M. -1:30 P.M. EDT

Session 1: This session will provide a brief consideration of the biblical and theological foundations before moving on to constructing a framework for integrating justice into the teaching ministry of congregations and contexts for ministry. Opportunities for practicing practical application between sessions will be provided.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11  | 11:30 A.M. -1:30 P.M. EDT

Session 2: This session will examine pedagogical strategies, educational techniques, and critical reflection on experiences. Participants can expect to leave with a curriculum sample of a forthcoming series of social justice video-based curricula, fresh ideas, and teaching methods for strengthening their social justice hope chest.

Leader bio: The Rev. Dr. Rebecca Davis, Associate Professor Christian Education at Union Presbyterian Seminary, Charlotte, NC, is a Minister of Word and Sacrament and a Certified Christian Educator in the PCUSA. For over thirty years Becky served in congregations and on presbytery staff. She now teaches those preparing for leadership and advocacy in church and world. Her passion for child advocacy led her to serve as staff at the Children’s Defense Fund and the National Council of Churches Committee for Justice for Children and their Families. She was the organizing chair of the Presbyterian Child Advocacy Network and now serves on the Advisory Council for Educate a Child Initiative and the National Committee for the Self Development of People. Becky was named the Educator of the Year in 2018 by the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators. Her current project is Liberating Sunday School – creating a paradigm of possibility through Freedom Church School curriculum.

Online Format: This two-session workshop will use Zoom technology to meet online in order to allow for presentations by the leader as well as interaction among participants. Participants will need an electronic device equipped with a reliable Internet connection, built-in or external microphone, and a built-in or external webcam.

Cost:

$45 per individual, if register by October 15, 2021. (Note: Beginning, October 16, price increases by $15. Register early and save!).

CEUs: .4 CEUs (Continuing Education Units) for this event. Note: CEU certificates can be generated upon request at the time of the event.

Registration: Online registration is open. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER. Registered participants will receive a Zoom meeting link the week prior to the event’s first meeting.

Waiting List: Once event reaches capacity, a waiting list will be started.