Course runs over 3 consecutive Thursdays.

April 4th 5:30-7pm / April 11th 5:30-7pm / April 18th 5:30-7pm

with Ted Lewis

Church communities are increasingly being challenged by polarizing issues. Meanwhile, new stresses and strains are causing micro-harms and conflicts between church members, resulting in atmospheres of avoidance and mistrust. This workshop is one of four (each can be attended as a standalone) that tap into biblical narratives to offer rich wisdom for how people in church settings can hold space for hard but healing conversations. The power of people telling their own stories and being heard well by others is vital, but this work often requires the help of third-party facilitators. Participants receive an introductory foundation for facilitating conversations that help people move from a defensive “head-zone” to an open “heart-zone” so that new life can rise up.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

After being introduced to restorative justice through Mennonite Central Committee workers on Pine Ridge Reservation in the early 90s, Ted has worked in the fields of restorative justice and conflict resolution in Kansas, Oregon, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. His area of specialty is facilitation and training for restorative conferencing that includes harming and harmed parties, along with support people. Ted is the founder and coordinator of the Restorative Church project, and presently works as a restorative consultant and trainer for the Center for Restorative Justice & Peacemaking at the University of Minnesota.

LOCATION: Online

FEE: General: $75 / Living Lightly: $30 / Students: Free