Racial Justice for Authorized Ministers — Foundations

This workshop is designed for Authorized Ministers who have not had racial justice training within the past 3 years and is recommended to Associations that require racial justice training.

Content includes:

• A broad, but not comprehensive, introduction to race as a concept, racism and its various forms, and various forms of working toward racial justice. Particular attention is paid to Christian foundations for racism and the history of slavery and colonization in New England.
• Participants will give attention to understanding themselves racially and unpack the stories their ministry settings tell in terms of race. This workshop utilizes facilitated caucus spaces for white people and people of color to discuss and explore their unique experiences of racialization.
• Reflection on how the power Authorized Ministers wield as individuals and with their ministry settings can be utilized for racial justice.

Learning outcomes:

• Understand and articulate four realms of racism
• Recognize the role of Christianity as a foundation and expression of racism
• Gain insight into oneself as a racialized person and the racialization of your ministry setting
• Identify forms of power available within your ministry setting and possibilities for action for racial justice

Learning takes place both as an individual and as a leader within your setting

This training includes required pre-work, both reading and engaging in a response. Earlier offerings of this training included a dense history section in a primarily lecture format. Responding to participant feedback, we are shifting that material to pre-reading so that we can focus training time on digesting this material and making it relevant to you and your ministry setting. Your attention to the pre-work will affect your and your colleagues’ learning, so making adequate time for this work is appreciated. You will receive detailed instructions about this assignment about one month prior to the training date.

This is an interactive workshop that requires active participation throughout, including through self-reflection and writing, small group discussion, and large group engagement.  Please be sure you are in a setting that allows for this.  Please note, attendance and participation in the full session is required to receive a certificate.

Registration closes on April 16, 2026 or once all spots have been filled. Cancellations or refunds must be requested before the close of registration.

The standard cost of this program is $230. Participants from within the Southern New England Conference UCC pay a discounted rate of $175 made possible through Proportional Giving to Our Church’s Wider Mission, individual donors, and other gifts to the Southern New England Conference.  The rate for SNEUCC Members in Discernment is $59.  If you have questions about registration rates or would like to request a scholarship, please contact Noah Brewer-Wallin (brewer-wallinn@sneucc.org).