Retreat for White Christians Wrestling with Racism in their Tradition

Retreat for White Christians Wrestling with Racism in their Tradition

Saturday, August 11
8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Cost: Sliding Scale $30-50, pay what you can 

Register on Eventbrite

This day long retreat* is created for white Christians to learn about the intersecting structures of white supremacy and colonialism within Christian history and wrestle with the ways they continue to show up in their own lives and faith communities today.

Racial categories were created with theological significance as Western European Christians began their global colonial conquest in the 1400s.  Many of the structures, theologies, and ideas created hundreds of years ago, still continue to function and influence Christianity and Christian communities today in ways that are harmful to humanity and all of creation.

Why Wrestle?

Because Christianity was foundational in establishing white supremacy and colonialism as theological goods ordained by God, white Christians have a particular responsibility to know the history they have inherited, repent of their complicity in these structural evils, and take action to eradicate white supremacy and colonialism in their own lives, faith communities, and society.  This retreat invites participants to begin that work, and/or to deepen the work they have already started to become anti-racist white Christians and co-conspirators of human liberation.  The retreat format includes a mixture of prayer, presentation of information, personal reflection time, and small group reflection time.

*Lunch will be provided and is included in the registration fee

About the Facilitator

©2016 OohStLou

 This day long retreat is designed and facilitated by Jennifer Reyes Lay.  Jennifer is an eco-feminist theologian and midwife of justice who lives in St. Louis, MO with her husband Roger and dog Bella.  She is a 3rd year MDiv student at Eden Theological Seminary, and currently works as the Administrator of the Office of Presiding Bishop for the Ecumenical Catholic Communion, and as the Assistant Director of the Office of Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) for the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word.  Jennifer has served as a member of the Call To Action anti-racism team for the past four years and is a current member of the Public Theology and Racial Justice cohort.  She is passionate about the work of liberation and the intersection of race and religion.  She agrees with Irenaeus that, “the glory of God is the human person fully alive,” and is working to bring into being a world where all life can live into the fullness for which it was created.