Eastern District Conference
Mennonite Church USA
Anti-Racism
Leadership Training

Overview

Damascus Road

Healing the Wounds
of Racism

Racial Healing
Task Group
Tools for Racial Healing

EDC Scholarship
Program

Overview

Undoing Racism Leadership Training

With growing ethnic diversity in the communities served by Eastern District Conference (EDC) churches, the Conference Administrative Board (CAB) has made it a priority to arrange for leadership anti-racism training. CAB members participated in training sessions last year; now we encourage all pastors and church leaders to sign up for basic anti-racism training.

Undoing racism training is also a national priority for Mennonite Church USA.

Scholarship assistance is available for Mennonites who are members of MCUSA congregations. See details about the scholarship program below, or contact Warren Tyson [warrent@easterndistrict.org; 267-932-6050].

Schedule of 2011 training sessions
Damascus Road

See Damascus Road for program details and registration information. Registration cost is $215 (plus some meals and housing expenses).

  • February 25-27, 2011 (Philadelphia)
  • February 24-26, 2012 (Philadelphia)
    • (Friday evening through Sunday afternoon)
    in Philadelphia, PA. Join us for an in-depth study of systemic racism and a dismantling process that is slowly transforming the Mennonite Church. Program details and registration information are available at franconiaconference.org. For information contact Sharon Williams, 610-277-1729, sharonw@cavtel.net
See Damascus Road webpage for complete schedule and MCC's anti-racism programs.
  • May 19-21, 2011 (Thurs.-Sat.) Lancaster, PA
  • November 4-6, 2011 (Fri.-Sun.) Bluffton, OH
Schedule of 2011 training sessions
Healing the Wounds of Racism

See HWOR for program details and registration forms. Registration cost is $200, including housing and meals.

Racial Healing Task Group (RHTG)
Tools for Racial Healing

The "Racial Healing Task Group" (RHTG) of MCUSA has made available some new tools for dominant/white church groups and congregations to continue racial healing. One tool, Òthe Four IÕs of OppressionÓ provides a simple framework for conversation about how racist or other oppressive behavior is perpetuated, and how to break the cycle.
Another tool is a sample collection of role plays that help groups identify unintentional racist behavior. The RHTG has also compiled an extensive list of other resources, many of them web-based. The RHTG does not yet have a web page, but these tools are available from RHGT member Joanna Shenk, JoannaS@MennoniteUSA.org. You may also contact the Peace & Justice Committee for help getting started with these tools or connecting with antiracism training programs.

Eastern District Scholarship Program for Leadership Development

EDC (and MCUSA) pastors and other church leaders may apply for scholarship assistance for anti-racism training. In general, the leadership development fund of EDC provides matching funds with congregations and conference-related ministries subsidizing educational opportunities for pastors in active assignment, persons aspiring to pastoral ministry seeking additional training for their service, and staff of conference-related ministries aiming to improve their skills and leadership abilities in order to more effectively carry out their ministries.

Contact Warren Tyson [warrent@easterndistrict.org; (267) 932-6050] with questions about eligibility or the application process.

Resources:

Location: http://www.ppjr.org/ltrain
Last Updated: 11/7/2011
Created: May 18, 2008