Pro-Reconciliation Anti-Racism Training

God’s Beloved Community

As we seek to be “God’s beloved community of diverse and vibrant Disciple congregations making a difference locally and globally for Christ,” the conversation about race and faith is crucial. To that end, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Georgia is hosting a virtual Pro-Reconciliation and Anti-Racism (PRAR) Training for Clergy, which is required every five years to retain standing. Trainers are Rev. Nathan Hill and Rev. Dr. Marcus Leathers, who both serve as Core Organizers and Trainers for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Reconciliation Initiative, “Many Members One Table.”

Schedule

Session 1: Friday, September 30, 2022, 5-8:30 pm ET
Session 2: Saturday, October 1, 2022, 8:30 am-12:30 pm ET
Session 3: Saturday, October 1, 2022, 1:15-4 pm ET (NEW THIS YEAR)

  • A smart phone, tablet, or computer with a camera is required.

  • Attendance at Sessions 1 & 2 required for standing.

  • Session 3 is open to any clergy who have already met the PRAR requirement and want to engage in additional conversation about how to live as a reconciled community.

Goals

Training goals include the following:

  • Exploring what God calls the church to look like

  • Examining the ways we define and understand racism

  • Developing a faith-based understanding of anti-racism

  • Discovering the role you play in dismantling racism in the region or your congregation

  • Providing creative and engaging ways to live as a reconciled community

Reconciliation Ministry

An Anti-Racism/Pro-Reconciliation Initiative was initiated by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in 1998. More than two decades later, its purpose is more critical than ever, calling Disciples to practice faithfulness with regard to the elimination of racism, which exists in all manifestations of the church; to discern the presence and nature of racism as sin; to develop strategies to eradicate it; and to work toward racial reconciliation. Learn more here.

Part of the work of the Christian Church (DOC) in Georgia, as in many Disciples Regions, is to require Pro-Reconciliation and Anti-Racism Training for clergy.  Pro-Reconciliation and Anti-Racism Training is required for standing every five years by the Georgia Region. If you did not attend either of the training events in April 2018 or October 2021, please make an effort to attend this event.

Leadership

Rev. Dr. Marcus Leathers is one of two co-pastors at United Christian Parish, in Reston VA. He believes God has called him to be with the people of United Christian parish —to laugh with them, labor with them, struggle alongside of them, and celebrate with them, and when necessary, to cry with them. He works closely with UCP’s Justice & Peace Ministry Team and the music program and leads pastoral care. Dr. Leathers also serves Disciples as a Core Organizer and Trainer for its Reconciliation Initiative, “Many Members One Table.” He is an ordained minister of the Christian Church in the Capital Area. He is a graduate of North Carolina State University and holds a Doctor of Ministry from Wesley Theological Seminary.

Rev. Nathan Hill is the senior pastor of University Christian Church in Hyattsville, MD. His passion for others has led him to participate and serve with young adult ministry, new worship gatherings, camp programs, anti-racism training, homeless ministry, grief support, and more. University Christian Church is a special congregation that draws many of those passions together to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Rev. Hill also serves Disciples as a Core Organizer and Trainer for its Reconciliation Initiative, “Many Members One Table.” He graduated from Cameron University and Wesley Theological Seminary and is currently working on a Doctor of Ministry from Phillips Theological Seminary. He has served congregations and organizations in Oklahoma, Texas, Washington DC, and Maryland.

Registration

1. Register here for the required Sessions 1 & 2 no later than September 23, 2022.
2. Registration fee is $20; payment options include credit/debit card or a check to the Christian Church in Georgia for $20 and mailed to the Christian Church in Georgia, 2306 Vineville Ave., Suite B, Macon, GA, 31204. Please note the event and your name in the “for” section.
3. You will be contacted by email prior to the event with Zoom link and instructions.
4. NEW THIS YEAR: If you have already met the PRAR requirement for standing (either during this session or at a past event) and want to engage in additional conversation about how to live as a reconciled community, we have added an additional session on Saturday afternoon. There is no fee for this session, but please register separately here for Session 3.