Palms Presbyterian Church to hold workshop exploring race, class, power and privilege

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Palms Presbyterian Church is inviting all people to “Seeing Each Other Through the Lens of Race, Class, Power and Privilege,” an interactive and experiential workshop that will take place Friday, Oct. 12 and Saturday, Oct. 13 at the church’s Patten Hall, located at 3410 Third Street S. in Jacksonville Beach.

The workshop explores power, privilege, race, racism, class, internalized racial oppression and next steps. This 12-hour experience held over two days includes community building, small group engagement and a thoughtful exploration of sensitive yet important topics. The workshop is limited to 30 participants. All are welcome in the community; you do not need to be a disciple of Palms. Twelve spaces are reserved especially for Palms' disciples, however. 

This program will be presented and facilitated by the Rev. Dr. Angela Shepherd, rector of St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church in Atlanta, and the Rev. Deacon Lauren Welch, deacon for mission at Episcopal Diocese of Maryland in Baltimore. 

Shepherd and Welch have extensive experience presenting this workshop to faith communities, as well as in secular settings. They have been actively involved in the formation and work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission is an ongoing commission focused on enhancing efforts to eradicate racism and its residual impact. The work of Shepherd, Welch and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission is referenced in detail by Jennifer Harvey, Ph.D., in her book “Dear White Christians: For Those Still Longing for Racial Reconciliation.”

The workshop will take place Oct. 12 from 5 to 9 p.m., with dinner provided in the Patten Hall. The program will continue Oct. 13 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with continental breakfast and lunch provided in the Patten Hall. Attendance is required at both sessions to participate. Contact Elizabeth Gainer at egainer@gainercounseling.com to register. Registration closes on Friday, Oct. 5.