Webinars explore path to healing racism, eco-discipleship

Grace Ji-Sun Kim

Upcoming webinars are offered by the Church of the Brethren Discipleship Ministries, Intercultural Ministry, Outdoor Ministry Association, and Office of Ministry. Topics include “Witness of Churches on the Path to Healing Racism: A Theological Exploration” and “Cultivating a Verdant Faith: Eco Discipleship Practices for the 21st Century Church.”

“Witness of Churches on the Path to Healing Racism: A Theological Exploration” takes place on Aug. 12 at 1 p.m. (Eastern time).

Grace Ji-Sun Kim, theology professor at Earlham School of Religion in Richmond, Ind., will lead this event sponsored by the Intercultural Ministry and Office of Ministry. She is the author of several books including “Healing Our Broken Humanity: Practices for Revitalizing Church and Renewing the World,” “Intercultural Ministry: Hope for a Changing World,” and is editor of “Keeping Hope Alive: Sermons and Speeches of Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr.” Intercultural Ministries director LaDonna Nkosi will serve as interviewer and moderator.

Continuing education credit of 0.1 CEU is available at no cost for Church of the Brethren ministers who register for and attend this webinar. Register at https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_CE5lT14YR4qp9D-GM7_bjw .

“Cultivating a Verdant Faith: Eco Discipleship Practices for the 21st Century Church” is a two-part webinar scheduled for Aug. 20 at 7 p.m. (Eastern time) on the topic, “Ecodoxy (Eco Blueprint and Eco Theology)” and Aug. 22 at 11 a.m. (Eastern time) on the topic “Ecopraxy (Eco Stewardship and Eco Disciplines).”

Sponsored by the Outdoor Ministry Association and Discipleship Ministries, the webinar will be led by Jonathan Stauffer and Randall Westfall. Stauffer is a high school science instructor and freelance eco theologian who is serving on the Outdoor Ministries Association board, has served as camp counselor and nature program leader at various Church of the Brethren camps, has hands-on experience with wind and solar energy, and holds a bachelor’s in physics from Manchester University and a master of arts in Theological Studies from Bethany Seminary. Westfall is director at Camp Brethren Heights in Michigan and a licensed minister in the Church of the Brethren and a student in the Training in Ministry course, studied religion and psychology at Manchester University, and is a graduate of Wilderness Awareness School where he received masters-level certifications in naturalist studies, wilderness survival, wildlife tracking, ethnobotany, bird language, and nature mentoring.

Said a description: “Webinar presenters Jonathan Stauffer and Randall Westfall have come to believe that living attuned with God’s creation is now essential to our discipleship with Jesus. In recent years, they have rediscovered just how attuned to creation Jesus was. His teachings often made a point by drawing on the natural world around him. He knew God’s wisdom came from these encounters and sought them out intentionally. He sought the solace of the wilderness, the sea, the mountain, and the garden to regenerate his ministry and mission. Jesus was drawing on a blueprint as old as creation itself.” Each webinar session will weave eco-practices into the fabric of discipleship and spiritual formation with Christ.

Ministers may earn 0.25 continuing education units for both sessions (0.125 per session). Register for the first session at https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMkc-yhqjopEtxTKYUgA2ISTf52GRd8KnjF
Register for the second session at https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUsdOqurDwtGdH6pC1XxWCkTv6_xUqCkGtv .

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