Racism: Looking Back, Moving Forward

This workshop takes participants through the foundation of racism and whiteness by putting together a timeline that includes laws and acts designed to oppress certain groups of people. Although this workshop is not about how to dismantle racism, it will provide information about the history of racism which will help participants begin or continue their journey towards dismantling racism.

Time: 2 days
Capacity: 15 to 30 people

Church Between Borders

The Church Between Borders workshop is about (1) how churches can be welcoming presences for immigrants, (2) how churches can help in the struggle immigrants face when they are not able to get documentation for living in the United States, and (3) how churches have the awesome ability to transform that struggle by acting with justice and mercy.

Time: 8 hours
Capacity: 12 to 30 people

Blanket Exercise

The Blanket Exercise is a great opportunity for participants to walk and experience the history of relationships between Europeans, including the Christian Reformed Church Mission in the Southwest, and the Indigenous nations who inhabit the southern part Turtle Island, now called the United States of America. It helps participants understand why it is important to know our history and how to take steps toward reconciliation and new relationships.

Time: 90 minutes to 2 hours
Capacity: 30 to 80 people

Cultural Intelligence Building

The Cultural Intelligence (CQ) Building workshop focuses on concrete skills to improve our ability to act and react in positive ways across cultural lines. These four concrete skill areas are (1) knowledge, (2) motivation, (3) interpretation, and (4) behavior. Through carefully tailored interactive exercises, participants become aware of their personal life-long journey in Cultural Intelligence, as they build their own capacity to improve their CQ over time.

Time: 8 hours
Capacity: 30 to 40 people

Leadership and Race

Leadership and Race is a workshop that deliberately pursues inclusion through six tasks: (1) introduction; (2) objectives, expectations, and guidelines; (3) biblical foundations; (4) assumptions; (5) framing the issue; and (6) mountain plan—identifying the journey. This workshop is geared for those in leadership positions.

Time: 8 hours
Capacity: 30 to 40 people

Ideology of Whiteness

This asynchronous learning workshop (online, DIY) will help individuals to learn and understand the beginning of the racial division between white and non-white peoples. We will discuss how people of different ethnicities interacted before this division and how the situation changed after a significant turning point.

Time: 4-5 hours
Capacity: unlimited! DIY, online course

Trauma Healing (coming soon)

KAIROS Blanket Exercise

The Blanket Exercise, developed by KAIROS following the landmark report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, is an excellent tool that literally walks participants through the history of relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada. Much of the content is written by Indigenous people. It helps participants understand why reconciliation is needed and how to take steps toward reconciliation and new relationships.

Widening the Circle

In this workshop we’ll explore together how each of our lives are impacted by these social categories, which privilege some and oppress others. We’ll learn together, by the light of scripture, using storytelling, personal reflection, dialogue, and group spiritual discipline practices. Together we will seek to create an environment of respect, safety, and inclusion.

Time: 6 hours