How to organize for justice is subject of trainings each Sunday afternoon in Advent

Noting that Advent is traditionally a season to prepare for “the in-breaking of justice,” the United Church of Christ and the National Council of Churches will lead training sessions in “Faith-Based Organizing for Justice” on four consecutive Sunday afternoons starting Nov. 29.

Trainers and reflectors will help online participants focus on two overarching questions: “What will the world look like when justice comes?” and “How do we prepare for its arrival?” The interactive sessions will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. EST.

The four topics will be:

• “Embodiment and Basic Organizing,” Nov. 29.
• “Direct Action and Risk Assessment,” Dec. 6.
• “Communication and Accompaniment,” Dec. 13.
• “Trauma Care and Healing,” Dec. 20.

Another overarching theme in the series will be “resistance as discipleship,” said the Rev. Traci Blackmon, associate general minister for Justice and Local Church Ministries.

“We have gathered four nationally recognized organizers and trainers, each paired with a theological reflector, to help us interrogate the text that undergirds our discipleship in this area,” Blackmon said. “Each session also includes space for interaction and questions, and downloadable resources will be provided.”

Serving as trainers in all four sessions will be:

• The Rev. Tracy Howe Wispelwey, Minister of Congregational and Community Engagement with the UCC Faith Education, Innovation and Formation Team.
• The Rev. Vahisha Hasan, Executive Director of Movement in Faith with the Transform Network.
• The Rev. Osagyefo Sekou, activist, theologian, author, documentary filmmaker and musician.
• The Rev. Seth Wispelwey, Directing Minister, Restoration Village Arts.
• Moderator: The Rev. Velda Love, Minister of Racial Justice with the UCC Education for Faithful Action Ministries; author and leader of Sacred Conversations to End Racism.

“Theological framers” for the sessions will be:

• Nov. 29: The Rev. Traci Blackmon.
• Dec. 6: The Rev. Leslie Copeland-Tune, Chief Operating Officer, National Council of Churches.
• Dec. 13: Sandy Sorensen, Director of the UCC’s advocacy office in Washington, D.C.
• Dec. 20: The Rev. Aundreia Alexander, Associate General Secretary, Action and Advocacy for Peace and Justice, NCC.

Interested persons can register here for $25 per session or $90 for all four. A group rate of $199 is also available.

Blackmon said she hopes participants will find the question “How does one prepare for what is to come?” especially useful “during this Advent season of viral pandemics, racial injustice, economic uncertainty, physical isolation, and socio-political strife.”