The Sept. 19 and 26 workshops are designed to create a more diverse and inclusive denomination
by Gail Strange | Presbyterian News Service
LOUISVILLE — In an ongoing effort to create a more diverse and inclusive denomination, the Presbyterian Intercultural Network and the Presbyterian Mission Agency — in partnership with the presbyteries of Sacramento and Stockton and Charlotte — will host the 2020 Intercultural Transformation Workshops.
The free workshops will be held from 1 p.m. through 3 p.m. Eastern Time on Sept. 19 and 26. All participants must register in advance. You may register here.
The 223rd General Assembly (2018) declared 2020-2030 as the “Decade of Intercultural Transformation“. A resolution called on the General Assembly meeting in St. Louis to “immediately denounce the persistent and demonic presence of racism and misuse of power and privilege in our individual and institutional lives.”
The resolution calls on the PC(USA) to “invest in training and identifying trained antiracism facilitators, who will provide a geographically accessible and affordable network for congregations and mid councils, and develop a process for connecting facilitators and congregations and mid councils who seek assistance.”
The logo for the Matthew 25 invitation was designed to feature including one another and coming together.
Matthew 25:31–46 calls the faithful to actively engage in the world, so that in the words of the PC(USA)’s Matthew 25 invitation, “our faith comes alive and we wake up to new possibilities.” As a Matthew 25 denomination, the goal is to build congregational vitality, eradicate systemic poverty and dismantle structural racism
The workshops are designed to help individuals connect and learn with intercultural leaders in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to work together in transforming majority white churches
into more inclusive congregations. This virtual workshop is designed for both clergy and laity.
Workshops will include relevant and timely topics, including:
- Bias Thinks First, led by the Rev. Amantha Barbee, senior pastor at Oakhurst Presbyterian Church in Decatur, Georgia.
- Pastoring During Protest, led by the Rev. Adriene Thorne, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Brooklyn, New York; Barbee; and the Rev. Kate Murphy, pastor of The Grove Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Thorne and Murphy, together with the Rev. Rola Al Ashkar, were the featured speakers during the Presbyterian Week of Action’s Liberation Bible Study 2. Watch the event here.
- In a workshop titled “How Presbyteries and Congregations Partner to Advance Intercultural Leadership,” Tali Hairston, the director of Community Organizing, Advocacy and Development in Seattle Presbytery, will use examples from current work in the presbytery to focus on creating space for intercultural leadership development.
The Rev. Kate Murphy, pastor of The Grove Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, preached in 2019 in the Chapel at the Presbyterian Center in Louisville, Kentucky. She’s among those offering workshops this month during the 2020 Intercultural Transformation Workshops. (Photo by Tammy Warren)
Other learning opportunities will include plenary sessions facilitated by intercultural leaders and breakout groups that will allow participants to engage with workshop leaders in small-group settings. Once individuals are registered, all the workshops will be provided via a link in pre-recorded video and/or audio.
Pre-recorded workshops will be accompanied by leader’s guide material so participants can use them to create learning opportunities in their congregations. The Saturday gatherings will provide time to go deeper into the workshop materials and allow individuals the opportunity to ask questions of the workshop leaders.
As a preview, click this link to hear an interview/workshop in which three intercultural pastors discuss how they are pastoring their congregations through the current protests and pandemic.
Although there is no cost to participate in the workshops, participants are asked to consider making a freewill donation to the support the following ministries:
- Sacramento & Stockton Presbytery’s racial justice ministry
- Charlotte Presbytery ‘s Anti-racism Ministry Team
- The Presbyterian Intercultural Network’s scholarship fund for intercultural leaders and congregations.
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Categories: Matthew 25, Racial Justice
Tags: 2020 intercultural transformation workshops, 223rd general assembly 2018, antiracism, grove presbyterian church charlotte north carolina, liberation bible study, matthew 25 invitation, oakhurst presbyterian church, presbyterian week of action, rev. adriene thorne, rev. amantha barbee, rev. kate murphy, rev. rola al ashkar, sacramento and stockton presbytery, seattle presbytery, tali hairston
Ministries: Racial Equity & Women’s Intercultural Ministries, Matthew 25 in the PC(USA): Join the Movement, Intercultural Ministries and Support for Congregations of Color