How should the white Church’s participation in chattel slavery change what we believe about Holy Communion? The Episcopal Church’s House of Bishops has called white supremacy the most present sin in Western culture today. From Manifest Destiny to owning slaves, from opposing Civil Rights to continuing to hoard wealth from stolen land and stolen people, …
View course details “Holy Eucharist & Transatlantic Slavery”

This course will explore the book of Deuteronomy as well as literature focused on the formation of ethnicity and processes of racialization. Students will evaluate our own connection to ethnic and racialized worldviews while we will seek to understand what sort of community Deuteronomy is attempting to form in ancient Israel. Then, we will consider …
View course details “Deuteronomy and the Formation of Racial/Ethnic Worldviews”

Merton’s writings on the problem of racism are perhaps the least known of his works. They are, however, among his most important, not only because they address issues that arose at the height of the Civil Rights movement, but also because his writings continue to have astonishing relevance today. In this course, we will examine …
View course details “Thomas Merton and Racism”

Some scholars have argued that the letter to the Romans is so unclear that it must be a pastiche of letters or the product of a confused, contradictory writer. We will together make sense of the letter in its historical context as a Jewish Paul articulates (not entirely clearly) how it is that God’s justice …
View course details “The Letter to the Romans: Justice and Race in Antiquity and Today”

Recognizing that our social structures and personal biases can get in the way of commitment to respecting our colleagues and community members, this interactive workshop will engage themes of prejudice, power and privilege in a manner that honours all voices in the room while also challenging the biases and structures that privilege some over others …
View course details “Transforming Power, Prejudice and Privilege: Building equitable, diverse and inclusive communities and organizations”

In this week-long seminar, we will form a multi-cultural group of pastors, teachers, professors, and non-profit organization leaders to learn from the poignant and prophetic autobiographical writings of Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth, Howard Thurman, and Ida B. Wells. We will pay particular attention to the implications of their writings for vital and faithful pastoral, priestly, and prophetic leadership …
View course details “2023 African American Religious Autobiography Seminar”

Beginning with the premise that all theology is contextual, we will explore—through the lens of postcolonialism—how theology in the global south and elsewhere has been contextualized. Expect to gain a solid grounding in postcolonial theory, in particular key concepts such as Orientalism, otherness, hybridity, hegemony, subalternity, and their relevance to evangelical theology. Format Onsite/Online Credit …
View course details “Postcolonial Theology”

Following up the popular Sorrento summer 2019 course The Gospel According to Musical Theatre, Sorrento presents a new—and different– opportunity to explore the structure and history of musical theatre, reflecting theologically on how gospel themes are conveyed, with particular attention to issues of race, representation, and redemption. Join with others in hearing presentations and having …
View course details “Gospel of Musical Theatre: Race and Redemption”

HOWARD THURMAN: Overview and Links to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Retreat Day led by Lerita Coleman Brown January 4 – March 15, 2023   Reflect on the life and work of Howard Thurman, spiritual guide to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. There is in every person an inward sea… — Howard Thurman REGISTER …
View course details “HOWARD THURMAN: Overview and Links to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.–A Retreat Day led by Lerita Coleman Brown”

The Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey Anti-Racism Ministry invites you to enroll in 20 hours of virtual Anti-Racism Training streamed to your computer, tablet or mobile phone. The training takes a historical approach to help participants understand systemic racism and empower them to confront and organize against racism, inequality, and injustice. Lecture and discussion topics …
View course details “2023 VIRTUAL ANTI-RACISM TRAINING”