Registration Now Open: Break the Silence ~ The Power of Active Witnessing with Angela Ma Brown

LeaderShift and Angela Ma Brown have worked together in the past; we are grateful to Angela for offering two anti-racism workshops this July 2020 - for church leaders and staff, and members who are re-committing to dismantling racism in the church.

Break the Silence: The Power of Active Witnessing
3 Hour Workshop

Have you ever witnessed a racist incident but didn’t know what to say or do and felt conflicted and regretful about not responding? This workshop will help participants develop their “response-ability” or readiness to respond to such incidents.   

The first part of the session engages participants in experiential learning activities and an understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of prejudice, discrimination and oppression. The second part involves learning a wide range of verbal and behavioral responses when someone is being victimized by an offensive and disrespectful remark or inequitable treatment.   

Participants will shift from passive bystanders to active witnesses and will feel more equipped and empowered to respond to racism on an individual basis. Together, we can break the silence and make an ethical commitment to collectively fight prejudice, discrimination and oppression of any form in society. 

Event details for Thursday Workshop, July 2 here.

Event details for Wednesday Workshop, July 8 here.

Or click here to jump straight to registration now.

Click to open PDF flyer

Active Witnessing: Bystander Training

Dear friends in leadership and LeaderShift,

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Today we have two important offerings

1. Thursday Reflection
This moving letter "Thursday Reflection" (link here) is written by Rev Amy Haynes of Deer Park United Church. Amy wrote to the community of faith that she serves, and gave permission for us to share with you. As you read it, you will know why it is important to share with our wider church - a church re-committing to dismantling racism and anti-Black racism.

2. Active Witnessing: Bystander Training SAVE THE DATE
With anti-racism educator Angela Ma Brown

• Thursday July 2 (updated event date to not conflict with PMRC’s Celebration of Ministry Service)

• Wednesday July 8

Registration will open in the afternoon of Monday June 22. A dedicated newsletter will be sent on Monday with the registration links, full event details and Angela's bio.

Faithfully,
The LeaderShift Team

Tressa Brotsky - communications
Rob Crosby-Shearer - LeaderShift Church Plant Project
Allison Rennie - director
Rhian Walker - program staff
Brenda Wolff - administrative assistance

United Against Racism - An Online Worship Service

We have participated in demonstrations. Letters have been written and statements have been made. Now it is time to worship together as people of faith.

The Black Clergy Network of The United Church of Canada invites the whole church to join virtually for a time of worship, prayer, and reflection to face the issues of anti-Black racism across our country and in our church. In worship we will lament, we will hope, and we will be reminded of the need to act against racism.

Sunday June 14, 2020

7-8pm EASTERN Time

Online (link here, and in the fuller details below)

Please plan to join live and let others know you’ll be joining by sharing this event on social media. Use the hashtag #UCCan and tag the United Church on Facebook and Twitter. 

Join Us on YouTube

This service of prayer and reflection will be led by members of the Black Clergy Network and will be livestreamed on The United Church of Canada’s YouTube Channel. You will be able to observe the service as well as chat and comment through YouTube.

Plan to worship together live on June 14. Note that the 7 pm start time is for Eastern Time; please adjust for your local contexts.

Find Out More

• Dear White People—in this blog post, Rev. Dr. Paul Douglas Walfall calls on White people in the church to put their love into action to counteract racism.

• Church Leaders Acknowledge the Racism in Their Midst—the Moderator writes that the struggle against anti-Black racism is the work of White members of the church, and the time has come to commit themselves to this work.

• Call for Churches to Do More to Address Anti-Black Racism—leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, the Anglican Church of Canada, and The United Church of Canada have issued a joint letter calling on churches to do more to address anti-Black racism.

• Learn more about the United Church’s commitment to racial justice.