Anti-Racism Ethics Training

 

Ethics in Ministry

Antiracism Ethics Training is the Clergy Ethics Training for the new qudrennium through June 2024, and thus it is mandatory for all clergy in the Western North Carolina Conference. The training will be facilitated by RISE! (Race: an In-depth Spiritual Examination) trainers. Each clergy person is to have a lay leader participate in the training. This inclusion of laity will foster more effective change in congregational culture. 

We are offering nine RISE! Workshops in the spring of 2022.  Five of these workshops will be offered virtually and four workshops will be in-person.  Below you will see a complete listing of the nine workshops and corresponding dates.

The 2-day in-person RISE! Workshops will take place from 10am-6pm both days.

The Virtual RISE! Workshops include self-paced lessons, online small group discussions, and scheduled Zoom meetings spanning approximately 12 days with the following format:

  • Day 1: Orientation Session via Zoom (evening)
  • Days 2-5:  Four Self-Paced Lessons via eLearning Platform
  • Day 6:  Two 3-hour Zoom Sessions (morning and afternoon)
  • Days 7-11: Two Self-Paced Lessons via eLearning Platform
  • Day 12:  Two 3-hour Zoom Sessions (morning and afternoon)

More dates to come soon!

Cost

The cost for participants is $100 per person.  Please read the Q&A below for more information on the cost and refunds.

Antiracism Ethics Training Q & A

Who is required to participate in the training?

ALL clergy under appointment in WNC and all certified lay ministers/lay supply pastors under assignment in the WNCC are required to attend a workshop by June 2024. WNC clergy under appointment in other annual conferences (whether to a church or extension ministry/appointment beyond the local church) are encouraged to try to come to WNC for a training event.  You will be required to do quadrennial ethics training.  If you cannot get to WNC for this training, you will need to find a similar training event and send it to Rev. Kim Ingram for approval PRIOR to registering or participating.

Why should a lay person and clergy attend the training together?

This workshop is designed for clergy and laity together. It is essential for each pastor to identify a key lay person to attend it together with him/her as a partner in advancing the work of antiracism. Find a lay person who is supportive of antiracism efforts and who has influence in the congregation/organization. 

Can clergy and laity participate in separate training sessions because of scheduling conflicts for the laity, etc.?

Yes, even though it is ideal that they attend the same session together.

Who will conduct the training? 

The training will be facilitated by RISE! (Race: an In-Depth Spiritual Examination) trainers.  Learn more about RISE! here.

Why do I have to pay for the training?

Payment by credit card is required at the time of registration.  To adequately address the topic of antiracism, this training is more extensive than the trainings of previous quadrennia. If the church where the clergy serves has continuing education funds budgeted, this could be a good use for those funds. We understand that cost can be a barrier for some to participate. Thanks to the generous grant from The Duke Endowment and the support from the Board of Ordained Ministry, Justice and Reconciliation Team, and WNCC Districts, the fee has been reduced considerably. 

I registered but I haven't received any follow-up information. What do I do?

You will receive an email from rise@littletreenc.org approximately one week before your workshop begins. If you have not received any email by the Wednesday before your workshop, please check your SPAM folder.  If you have not received an email, please contact rise@littletreenc.org immediately. 

If an emergency arises and I’m unable to attend, are the fees refundable?

Since lunch and snacks are provided for the in-person workshops, cancellation of an in-person workshop registration within 5 business days of the start of workshop will result in a $15 fee.

Will there be a certificate of completion?

A certificate will be given to each participant at the end of the training and your participation will be recorded with the conference and district.

Will there be any follow-up training or resources?

A Virtual Reflection and Prayer Meeting (VRPM) and a Priority Planning Session (PPS) will be offered after each District's training workshop to help the congregations/organizations that the clergy and laity serve to engage in further antiracism work. Look for specific information for your District's offerings in the attached document "WNCC Antiracism Ethics Training Process" in the registration confirmation email. Also, RISE! Team will offer opportunities to register and engage in Online Discussion Groups."

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