May 16, 2012
WHAT NO LONGER SERVES US

An hour-long teleconference with Melanie Morrison and Julia Watts Belser (bios).

Melanie and Julia teamed up to co-author an article entitled "What No Longer Serves Us: Resisting Ableism and Anti-Judaism in New Testament Healing Narratives" published in the Journal of Feminist Studies in Religion. On May 16, they will be joining WATER (Women’s Alliance for Theology, Ethics, and Ritual) for a teleconference to discuss their article and their work together.

Join us on Wednesday, May 16, 2012, at 1pm (EDT) to talk with Melanie and Julia about their article and their work in feminist theology.

To register, email the words "register me" to waterstaff@waterwomensalliance.org by May 15, and you will receive dial-in info.

June 5-10, 2012

DOING OUR OWN WORK: A SEMINAR FOR ANTI-RACIST WHITE PEOPLE

Doing Our Own Work is an intensive seminar for white people who seek to deepen their commitment to confronting and challenging racism and white privilege where they live, study, and work. It is our conviction that those of us who are white need to "do our own work" – educating ourselves, confronting racism, holding each other accountable, and demonstrating good faith as we seek to build genuine and lasting coalitions with people of color. Doing Our Own Work is designed as a supplement to, not a substitute for, contexts where people of diverse races discuss and strategize together how racism can be challenged.

People from communities all across North America have taken part in this intensive seminar. Here is what some of those participants say about the experience:

"Doing Our Own Work is life-changing. It has affected my choice of where to live, what do with my life, where my priorities lie, everything."

"After attending Doing Our Own Work, I am much more willing to take risks as a white person when working alongside of, and in solidarity with, people of color."

"Doing Our Own Work gave me a broader and deeper knowledge of anti-racism, white privilege, my people's history, and the way oppression functions."

If you are a white person who is ready and eager to do some deep, soul-stretching, and exhilarating work with other white anti-racist allies, Doing Our Own Work is the place for you!

The seminar provides more than 40 hours of “class time.” Anti-racist action and reflection form the heart of Doing Our Own Work. Each participant is invited to identify a "sphere of influence" in her/his life that will serve as the focus of action and reflection. Utilizing input from the leaders, assigned readings, videos, group discussion, and structured exercises, participants explore the following topics and issues:

• The four realms of racism: personal, interpersonal, institutional, and cultural
• Historical roots of racism in the U.S.
• Movements for racial justice in the U.S.
• White privilege and unearned advantage
• How to be an effective anti-racist ally
• Cultural appreciation versus cultural appropriation
• Discerning our spiritual resources for change
• Practicing the skills of interrupting racism
• Strategies for institutional change

The facilitators are committed to working with participants to create a respectful, loving, and truth-telling environment where we may bring our whole selves to this vitally important work.

• Leaders: Melanie S. Morrison and Aaron Wilson-Ahlstrom (bios)
• Dates: June 5-10, 2012
• Time: Tuesday, 7 p.m. – Sunday, 1 p.m.
• Location: Transformations Spirituality Center in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The facility is barrier-free.
• Cost: $750 ($100 deposit and $650 balance due). Includes program, materials, six nights lodging, and all meals. Partial scholarships are available.
• Commuters: $550. ($100 deposit and $450 balance due) Includes program, materials, lunch & dinner.
• Registration deadline: May 15, 2012

For information about the seminar or about partial scholarships, contact Melanie Morrison.

To Register: Print and mail your registration form with your deposit

OR

Pay on-line through PayPal

Full payment $750.00 USD Full commuter payment $550.00 USD Deposit only $100.00 USD

June 29-30, 2012

RENEWING HEART AND HOPE:
A RETREAT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE EDUCATORS
& TRAINERS

Facilitating groups and educating for social change can be a source of great energy, joy, and inspiration. This work can also lead to frustration and exhaustion when we experience multiple setbacks and frustrations or fail to find ways to nourish our bodies and souls. Too often, we become so absorbed in the demands of our work that we grow forgetful of our need for each other. This retreat offers a different way.

Imagine if you had time and space to…

• Be with others who share a deep and abiding commitment to social change
• Engage in individual and group reflection about the heart and soul of this commitment
• Share with colleagues the challenges and joys of being a social justice educator
• Reflect – with compassion and clarity – on where we have been and where we are going in our work for social justice
• Engage in individual and group reflection about what is life-giving; what is depleting in this work
• Meet and learn from new colleagues engaged in different aspects of social justice education and training
• Name the losses, frustrations, and struggles with people who can hold anger and grief
• Celebrate the breakthroughs with people who can share the joy
• Soak up the beauty of the woods and lakeside property at the Michigan Friends Center.
• Relish the silence, sanctuary, companionship, and community of a retreat setting.

If your spirit longs for rejuvenation, deeper connection with other social justice educators, and the nurture of a beautiful natural setting, we invite you to be part of this unique retreat. Facilitator-guides for our time together will be Monique Savage and Melanie Morrison.

Dates: Friday, June 29 & Saturday, June 30, 2012
Times: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. each day
Location: The Michigan Friends Center in Chelsea, Michigan. Located on 92 acres of lakefront property, the Friends Center is 20 miles from Ann Arbor.
Cost: $150 ($50 deposit; $100 balance due). Snacks, beverages, and lunch provided each day. Overnight accommodations are available at special discounted rates at local hotels and Bed and Breakfasts. You may also bring a tent and camp for free at the center.
Accessibility: The facility is barrier-free. Please contact us regarding your specific access requirements.

For additional information about Renewing Heart and Hope, contact Melanie Morrison.

To Register: Print and mail your registration form with your deposit

OR

Pay on-line through PayPal

Full Payment $150.00 USD Deposit Only $50.00 USD Balance Due (after deposit) $100.00 USD

Some scholarship assistance is available. Payment may be made in installments over time.

For information about any of our programs, please contact us.

Learn about some of our previous events.