How do we begin to see the intersections of incarceration, race, and faith? What are the implications of God coming into our world in the person of Jesus? What does it mean for us to be a people of a just King & ruler who took up residence in our midst to deal with sin and evil, especially injustices? Restoring Justice has teamed up with Church partners and friends to explore these questions together in our second annual Advent & Justice Series. Together, we'll explore the dehumanizing effects of the criminal legal system and discover the implications of our redemption accomplished through Jesus, the promised messiah. There are so many polarized visions of "justice" in our western world today, competing for our imagination and allegiance. We need a renewed sense of mishpat (justice) and what it means to embody it, and what, if any, bearings it might have on our criminal legal system in the following sessions:

12/22 6pm CT | Session 4 - What Is The Future of Mishpat (Justice)?

How do we begin to see the intersections of incarceration, race, and faith? What are the implications of God coming into our world in the person of Jesus? What does it mean for us to be a people of a just King & ruler who took up residence in our midst to deal with sin and evil, especially injustices? Restoring Justice has teamed up with Church partners and friends to explore these questions together in our second annual Advent & Justice Series. Together, we'll explore the dehumanizing effects of the criminal legal system and discover the implications of our redemption accomplished through Jesus, the promised messiah. There are so many polarized visions of "justice" in our western world today, competing for our imagination and allegiance. We need a renewed sense of mishpat (justice) and what it means to embody it, and what, if any, bearings it might have on our criminal legal system in the following sessions:

12/15 6pm CT | Session 3 - Restoring A Shared Vision of Humanity
12/22 6pm CT | Session 4 - What Is The Future of Mishpat (Justice)?

How do we begin to see the intersections of incarceration, race, and faith? What are the implications of God coming into our world in the person of Jesus? What does it mean for us to be a people of a just King & ruler who took up residence in our midst to deal with sin and evil, especially injustices? Restoring Justice has teamed up with Church partners and friends to explore these questions together in our second annual Advent & Justice Series. Together, we'll explore the dehumanizing effects of the criminal legal system and discover the implications of our redemption accomplished through Jesus, the promised messiah. There are so many polarized visions of "justice" in our western world today, competing for our imagination and allegiance. We need a renewed sense of mishpat (justice) and what it means to embody it, and what, if any, bearings it might have on our criminal legal system in the following sessions:

12/8 6pm CT | Session 2 - Race, Incarceration and Incarnation
12/15 6pm CT | Session 3 - Restoring A Shared Vision of Humanity
12/22 6pm CT | Session 4 - What Is The Future of Mishpat (Justice)?

How do we begin to see the intersections of incarceration, race, and faith? What are the implications of God coming into our world in the person of Jesus? What does it mean for us to be a people of a just King & ruler who took up residence in our midst to deal with sin and evil, especially injustices? Restoring Justice has teamed up with Church partners and friends to explore these questions together in our second annual Advent & Justice Series. Together, we'll explore the dehumanizing effects of the criminal legal system and discover the implications of our redemption accomplished through Jesus, the promised messiah. There are so many polarized visions of "justice" in our western world today, competing for our imagination and allegiance. We need a renewed sense of mishpat (justice) and what it means to embody it, and what, if any, bearings it might have on our criminal legal system in the following sessions:

12/1 6pm CT | Session 1 - What Is Justice?
12/8 6pm CT | Session 2 - Race, Incarceration and Incarnation
12/15 6pm CT | Session 3 - Restoring A Shared Vision of Humanity
12/22 6pm CT | Session 4 - What Is The Future of Mishpat (Justice)?

This is a follow-up session to assess where you are you on your journey of moving from an ally to an accomplice. Since our last session, were you able to move to a next step? Did something hold you back? Wherever you are on your journey, we will revisit some of the concepts introduced in the first two sessions and have a facilitated discussion on how we can move to a more active involvement in the dismantling of systemic oppressions and being an anti-racist. There will be time to work together in small groups on any current or future efforts with the help of Brandon Mack. 

You do NOT have to attended the first two sessions to attend this workshop.

When: Thursday, September 30, 2021

Where: Zoom

Time: 7 pm – 8:30 pm

Brandon Mack

Brandon Mack is a community activist and sociologist dedicated to issues related to the intersections of race, gender, and sexual orientation. He has conducted research on effemiphobia, the negativity related to effeminate gay men. His work has been featured in a GLAAD Media Award winning article and he has presented his work at national conferences such as the National LGBTQ Task Force: Creating Change and NBJC's Out on the Hill. He is a lead organizer with Black Lives Matter Houston. Co-Chapter Director of New Leaders Council - Houston. Screening Committee and Education and Advocacy Chair of the Houston GLBT Political Caucus. He is also the Research Coordinator for the Mayor’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Board.

Mack graduated from Rice University in 2006 with a Bachelors of Arts in Sociology & Political Science. In 2013, Mack earned a Masters of Education in Higher Education Administration & Supervision from the University of Houston. He is currently a Ph.D. student in the Higher Education Leadership & Policy Studies at the University of Houston.

A One Human Race Mini-Workshop

A One Human Race Mini-Workshop

This is part two of two workshops. Only one registration is necessary to receive Zoom links for both part one and part two.

PART 1:  Black Lives Matter: What it Is and What it Ain’t – April 21st, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm. 
This Part 1 session will cover the history of Black Lives Matter, dispel some of the common myths, and provide an opportunity for discussion and dialogue to better understand its roots and purpose. If you’ve ever had questions about Black Lives Matter, this is the session for you.

PART 2: Black Lives Matter:  Moving from Ally to Accomplice – April 28th, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm.
This Part 2 session will be devoted to understanding the difference between allyship and being an accomplice. The intention of this session is to think about deeper ways to engage with social justice, how to maintain your commitment to social justice, and making sure that you are centering marginalized communities.  This session will include discussion, dialogue, and developing specific commitments to social justice.

Brandon Mack

Brandon Mack is a community activist and sociologist dedicated to issues related to the intersections of race, gender, and sexual orientation. He has conducted research on effemiphobia, the negativity related to effeminate gay men. His work has been featured in a GLAAD Media Award winning article and he has presented his work at national conferences such as the National LGBTQ Task Force: Creating Change and NBJC's Out on the Hill. He is a lead organizer with Black Lives Matter Houston. Co-Chapter Director of New Leaders Council - Houston. Screening Committee and Education and Advocacy Chair of the Houston GLBT Political Caucus. He is also the Research Coordinator for the Mayor’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Board.

Mack graduated from Rice University in 2006 with a Bachelors of Arts in Sociology & Political Science. In 2013, Mack earned a Masters of Education in Higher Education Administration & Supervision from the University of Houston. He is currently a Ph.D. student in the Higher Education Leadership & Policy Studies at the University of Houston.

Dates: April 17, 24, May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, June 5, 12, 2021, Saturdays via Zoom.

You do not need to attend every week to participate. Each week will discuss one chapter.

Time: 10:30 am – 11:30 am CST

A unique look at Christian biblical interpretation and theology from the perspective of Native American tradition, this book focuses on four specific experiences of Jesus as portrayed in the synoptic gospels. It examines each story as a “vision quest,” a universal spiritual phenomenon, but one of particular importance within North American indigenous communities. – Amazon

The Four Vision Quests of Jesus: Charleston, Steven: 9780819231734: Amazon.com: Books

This is part one of two workshops. Only one registration is necessary to receive Zoom links for both part one and part two.

PART 1:  Black Lives Matter: What it Is and What it Ain’t – April 21st, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm. 
This Part 1 session will cover the history of Black Lives Matter, dispel some of the common myths, and provide an opportunity for discussion and dialogue to better understand its roots and purpose. If you’ve ever had questions about Black Lives Matter, this is the session for you.

PART 2: Black Lives Matter:  Moving from Ally to Accomplice – April 28th, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm.
This Part 2 session will be devoted to understanding the difference between allyship and being an accomplice. The intention of this session is to think about deeper ways to engage with social justice, how to maintain your commitment to social justice, and making sure that you are centering marginalized communities.  This session will include discussion, dialogue, and developing specific commitments to social justice.

Brandon Mack

Brandon Mack is a community activist and sociologist dedicated to issues related to the intersections of race, gender, and sexual orientation. He has conducted research on effemiphobia, the negativity related to effeminate gay men. His work has been featured in a GLAAD Media Award winning article and he has presented his work at national conferences such as the National LGBTQ Task Force: Creating Change and NBJC's Out on the Hill. He is a lead organizer with Black Lives Matter Houston. Co-Chapter Director of New Leaders Council - Houston. Screening Committee and Education and Advocacy Chair of the Houston GLBT Political Caucus. He is also the Research Coordinator for the Mayor’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Board.

Mack graduated from Rice University in 2006 with a Bachelors of Arts in Sociology & Political Science. In 2013, Mack earned a Masters of Education in Higher Education Administration & Supervision from the University of Houston. He is currently a Ph.D. student in the Higher Education Leadership & Policy Studies at the University of Houston.

Dates: April 17, 24, May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, June 5, 12, 2021, Saturdays via Zoom.

You do not need to attend every week to participate. Each week will discuss one chapter.

Time: 10:30 am – 11:30 am CST

A unique look at Christian biblical interpretation and theology from the perspective of Native American tradition, this book focuses on four specific experiences of Jesus as portrayed in the synoptic gospels. It examines each story as a “vision quest,” a universal spiritual phenomenon, but one of particular importance within North American indigenous communities. – Amazon

The Four Vision Quests of Jesus: Charleston, Steven: 9780819231734: Amazon.com: Books

The situation of Indigenous Americans will be examined, beginning with the pre-Columbian historical context and the initiation and impact of the Doctrine of Discovery. The involvement of the Christian Church, from early missionary and colonization efforts will be discussed, focusing particularly on those of the Episcopal Church. The current realities and challenges of Indigenous life will also be presented, with suggestions on how the Church can most effectively and appropriately respond to the injustices of the past, many of which continue to the present day.

The Reverend Dr. Bradley Hauff (Oglala Sioux), Indigenous Ministries Missioner for the Episcopal Church

The Reverend Dr. Bradley S. Hauff is the Indigenous Missioner for the Episcopal Church, a member of the Presiding Bishop’s staff.  He is originally from South Dakota; born in Sioux Falls and raised in Rapid City, and he is enrolled with the Oglala Sioux Tribe (Lakota) of Pine Ridge, as were both of his parents.  He received his Master of Divinity degree from Seabury-Western Theological Seminary, where he also served on the Board of Trustees.  He received his Doctor of Clinical Psychology degree from the Minnesota School of Professional Psychology, and worked for a time in the mental health profession, specializing in Native American identity formation and domestic abuse interventions.  He has been an Episcopal priest for nearly 30 years and has served congregations in the dioceses of South Dakota, Minnesota, Florida and Pennsylvania.  He has written articles and made numerous presentations around the country on Native American issues.  He also served on the Task Force for Reimagining the Episcopal Church (TREC).

Note: Due to Winter Storm Uri, the Black Lives Matter Workshops have been postponed. Stay posted for updated dates and times.

This is part two of two workshops. Only one registration is necessary to receive Zoom links for both part one and part two. These workshops will be offered again in April.

PART 1:  Black Lives Matter: What it Is and What it Ain’t – DATE TBA
This Part 1 session will cover the history of Black Lives Matter, dispel some of the common myths, and provide an opportunity for discussion and dialogue to better understand its roots and purpose. If you’ve ever had questions about Black Lives Matter, this is the session for you.

PART 2: Black Lives Matter:  Moving from Ally to Accomplice – DATE TBA
This Part 2 session will be devoted to understanding the difference between allyship and being an accomplice. The intention of this session is to think about deeper ways to engage with social justice, how to maintain your commitment to social justice, and making sure that you are centering marginalized communities.  This session will include discussion, dialogue, and developing specific commitments to social justice.

Brandon Mack

Brandon Mack is a community activist and sociologist dedicated to issues related to the intersections of race, gender, and sexual orientation. He has conducted research on effemiphobia, the negativity related to effeminate gay men. His work has been featured in a GLAAD Media Award winning article and he has presented his work at national conferences such as the National LGBTQ Task Force: Creating Change and NBJC's Out on the Hill. He is a lead organizer with Black Lives Matter Houston. Co-Chapter Director of New Leaders Council - Houston. Screening Committee and Education and Advocacy Chair of the Houston GLBT Political Caucus. He is also the Research Coordinator for the Mayor’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Board.

Mack graduated from Rice University in 2006 with a Bachelors of Arts in Sociology & Political Science. In 2013, Mack earned a Masters of Education in Higher Education Administration & Supervision from the University of Houston. He is currently a Ph.D. student in the Higher Education Leadership & Policy Studies at the University of Houston.

Note: due to Winter Storm Uri, the Black Lives Matter workshops have been postponed. Stay tuned for the announcement of new dates.

This is part one of two workshops. Only one registration is necessary to receive Zoom links for both part one and part two. These workshops will be offered again in April.

PART 1:  Black Lives Matter: What it Is and What it Ain’t – DATE TBA 
This Part 1 session will cover the history of Black Lives Matter, dispel some of the common myths, and provide an opportunity for discussion and dialogue to better understand its roots and purpose. If you’ve ever had questions about Black Lives Matter, this is the session for you.

PART 2: Black Lives Matter:  Moving from Ally to Accomplice – DATE TBA
This Part 2 session will be devoted to understanding the difference between allyship and being an accomplice. The intention of this session is to think about deeper ways to engage with social justice, how to maintain your commitment to social justice, and making sure that you are centering marginalized communities.  This session will include discussion, dialogue, and developing specific commitments to social justice.

Brandon Mack

Brandon Mack is a community activist and sociologist dedicated to issues related to the intersections of race, gender, and sexual orientation. He has conducted research on effemiphobia, the negativity related to effeminate gay men. His work has been featured in a GLAAD Media Award winning article and he has presented his work at national conferences such as the National LGBTQ Task Force: Creating Change and NBJC's Out on the Hill. He is a lead organizer with Black Lives Matter Houston. Co-Chapter Director of New Leaders Council - Houston. Screening Committee and Education and Advocacy Chair of the Houston GLBT Political Caucus. He is also the Research Coordinator for the Mayor’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Board.

Mack graduated from Rice University in 2006 with a Bachelors of Arts in Sociology & Political Science. In 2013, Mack earned a Masters of Education in Higher Education Administration & Supervision from the University of Houston. He is currently a Ph.D. student in the Higher Education Leadership & Policy Studies at the University of Houston.

Hosted by The Rev. Rhonda Rogers and Ayesha Mutope-Johnson

This workshop will explore the ways in which all of us can become allies of people of color and the struggles they face daily. This is a no judgement, no guilt workshop, and will reflect on our baptismal covenant while exploring ways people can begin to dismantle racism, one person at a time.

What happens when a group of people is exposed to hundreds of years of torture, oppression and cruelty?

What if this untreated trauma is passed on to the next generation, and the next? What does it look like and how does it manifest? How do we re-learn to love ourselves when we have not experienced love, or to value ourselves when we have been assigned no value?

Who are we now? 

Join us as for an hour of learning and discussion on generational internalized oppression and how we see it play out in our world today.

Speakers:

Ayesha Mutope-Johnson

Ayesha Mutope-Johnson has spent most of her life serving as a civil rights and social justice advocate. After practicing law for 30 years, she became a Licensed Professional Counselor. Now retired, she volunteers her time as chair of the Episcopal Church Province VII Anti-Racism Network, designing, planning and team-conducting racial reconciliation programs
and events. She designs Christian Education curricula and scripts to be used for these programs, and she writes articles for publication. Mutope brings her passion to issues of racial, economic and social injustice, and develops teaching workshops that bring focus to the pathologies which manifest when cultural and social groups are marginalized, or suffer generational trauma and oppression.

The Rev. Canon Ronald Byrd, Sr.

The Rev. Canon Ronald Byrd, Sr., is the Episcopal Church’s missioner for Black Ministries. Prior to assuming this position in 2017, he has led  congregational vitality teams in several churches and ministries, helping to revitalize declining congregations and inspire in them relevant ministries to strengthen both the community and the congregation. His background prior to ordination was in executive management of corporations for more than 20 years. He has used these skills to assist in designing events and programs to serve Blacks in the Episcopal Church and the Diaspora, with a view to promoting reconciliation, collaboration and communication. Among the innovative programs of his Office of Black Ministry, is the “Healing from Internalized Oppression” curriculum, a series of modules on racism that educates members of the Episcopal Church into healing, and empowers them for transformational Christian ministry.

Registration for this event is now closed.

A workshop to learn new tools for starting intentionally anti-racist, post-colonial missional communities.

Held over four Fridays from 12pm-1pm: Nov. 13, 20, Dec. 4, 11.

Speakers:

Brandon Wrencher is a minister, organizer, and facilitator working across the US within faith, education, and non-profit sectors at the intersections of decolonizing church, contemplative activism, and local presence to build beloved communities. He is a serial innovator and church planter whose latest venture is starting The Good Neighbor Movement, an inclusive, multiracial, justice-seeking, people of color led network of house churches in North Carolina. Brandon is a provisional elder in the Western North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church and serves on several local and national faith-based social justice committees and boards. Rooted in his formation in the Black Church, Brandon's visionary leadership has spanned rural, small town and urban communities in North Carolina and Chicago. he writes for Sojourners, The Other Journal, Mission Alliance and other publications.

Jason Evans is the Missioner for Missional Communities in the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, where he helps others start new Christian communities and teaches mission theory and practice at the Iona School for Ministry.  He has over 20 years of experience at starting missional communities–Christian communities that exist for those who cannot, or will not, participate in a traditional church–in a variety of contexts. This work has been profiled in books such as Jim and Casper Go To Church, Street Crossers, Emerging Churches and Emerging Worship.

Este taller abrirá un espacio para aprender y hablar sobre el colorismo y cómo se desarrolla en la cultura latina y nuestra vida cotidiana.  Hablaremos sobre el colorismo y exploraremos su relación con el racismo y cómo podemos aprender a identificar sus prejuicios y trabajar para detenerlo en nuestras propias vidas.  Sandra Montes, Idania Argueta y Eduardo Rivera hablarán sobre lo que es colorismo y por qué es importante hablar sobre este tema especialmente durante este tiempo de un despertar del racismo. 

Idania Argueta:

Nací en los Estados Unidos y mis padres son salvadoreños. Abandoné el sistema de escuelas públicas en el décimo grado, tuve un bebé a los 18, decidí obtener mi diploma de escuela secundaria en casa a los 19 años, me inscribí de HCC, tuve otro bebé y me gradué de la UHD con una licenciatura en Educación bilingüe en el otoño de 2018. ¡Actualmente estoy comenzando mi primer año como maestra!

Lily Bautista

Amarilis Bautista Vargas, también conocida como Lily afuera de la escuela, tiene 17 años y actualmente es estudiante en Bellaire Senior High School. Ha bailado ballet durante 10 años, participado en campo traviesa en su escuela y actualmente es miembro de la National Society of High School Scholars. En su tiempo libre, a Lily le encanta tocar la guitarra, pasar tiempo con la familia, leer y bailar diferentes estilos de baile. Su trayectoria profesional futura está indecisa, pero una cosa que sabe con certeza es que quiere unirse a una organización sin fines de lucro para ayudar a las familias y a niños necesitados. También le gustaría ayudar a cambiar los problemas raciales y de género en todo el mundo. Lo que más le enorgullece y más ama es su familia y la cultura y herencia dominicana.

Sandra Montes:

Sandra es educadora, escritora, oradora y músico.  En su libro Ser REAL, Sandra nos llama a salir de las paredes de nuestra iglesia y evangelizar, hacer discípulos y hacer todo esto con amor. Tiene un doctorado en educación y ha enseñado durante más de 20 años. Es la Directora Interina de Adoración en Union Theological Seminary y consultora en la Fundación de la Iglesia Episcopal. No se siente incómoda al hablar abiertamente sobre temas difíciles y cree que Dios está presente en medio de cada conversación.

Eduardo Solomón Rivera, MDiv, DAS (Diploma, Estudios Anglicanos)

This workshop will open up a space to learn and talk about colorism and how it plays out in different cultures and our everyday lives. Sandra Montes, Idania Argueta and Eduardo Rivera will teach us more about colorism, about the differences between colorism and racism, and how we can learn to identify its prejudices and work towards stopping it.

Speakers:

Idania Argueta

Idania was born in the USA to Salvadorian parents. She dropped out of the public school system in 10th grade, had a baby at 18, decided to get her high school diploma from a homeschool program at the age of 19, enrolled in HCC, had another baby, and graduated from UHD with a bachelors in EC-6 bilingual education in the fall of 2018. She is currently starting my first year of teaching this year!

Lily Bautista

Amarilis Bautista Vargas, also know as Lily outside of school, is 17 and currently a senior at Bellaire Senior High School. She has danced ballet for 10 years, participated in cross country at her school and is currently a member of the National Society of High School Scholars. In her free time Lily loves to play the guitar, spend time with family, read, and dance different styles of dance. Her future career path is undecided but one thing that she knows for sure is that she wants to join a non-profit organization to help families and children in need and help change racial and gender issues around the world. The thing that she is most proud of and loves the most is her family and Dominican culture and heritage.

Sandra Montes

Sandra is an educator, writer, speaker and musician. Her book Becoming REAL and Thriving in Ministry encourages people to go outside our church walls and evangelize, make disciples and do all of this in love. She has a doctorate in education and taught for over 20 years. She is the Interim Director of Worship at Union Theological Seminary and a Consultant at the Episcopal Church Foundation. She is not uncomfortable about talking openly about difficult topics and believes God Is present in the midst of every conversation. 

Eduardo Solomón Rivera, MDiv, DAS (Diploma, AnglicanStudies) he/him/his

Eduardo Solomón Rivera is a lay minister in The Episcopal Church. He is the Managing Editor of Education for Ministry’s Latinx edition and serves on the Council of Advice for the Missioner for Evangelism. His over 30 years of ministry has largely focused around mission, worship, and formation in multicultural contexts. He lives in Southeast Florida with his lovely family.

At this workshop, speakers will present bilingually, in English and Spanish.

Speakers:

Flor Saldivar

Flor is a Rio Grande Valley native, child of immigrants, and life-long border resident. Upon witnessing the countless struggles of family, friends, and migrants in her community, she began to volunteer and organize with local organizations, eventually leading her to serve as Coordinator for Immigrant and Refugee Ministries with the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas. She received dual degrees from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley with a B.A. in Mass Communications - Public Relations and Advertising and a B.M. in Opera Performance. Flor believes that community education and outreach is the key to understanding the ongoing humanitarian crisis along the border and in detention centers. She hopes to continue serving her diocese, its churches, and congregants to sustainably build, promote, and improve the lives of immigrants and refugees in their communities and hopes to become an immigration attorney and policy writer in the future. 

Alyssa Stebbing

Alyssa serves as Episcopal Migration Ministries Liaison for the Diocese of Texas and was a former Anglican delegate to the UN Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW.) She has served in a variety of ministries that support those in poverty, fleeing violence, refugee resettlement, and border ministries. She also served at Trinity Epsicopal Church in The Woodlands as Outreach and Mission Coordinator. She is now a candidate for holy orders at the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas with a concentration in Latinx Studies.