Workshops

Sponsoring a Workshop

Damascus Road depends on local organizers to help us make events happen. If you or your organization would like to sponsor any of our workshops, contact us. It is best to voice your interest at least a year in advance in order to get on the calendar.

Because each sponsoring group sets the participant fee, the event costs vary but are typically around $200 per person.

Sponsoring a Workshop

 

Workshop Schedule

Schedule

 

Antiracism Analysis Training

The foundational Anti-racism Analysis Training (2 ½ days) serves as the core of the Damascus Road process. The training helps articulate the biblical call to antiracist action and presents a common language for talking about racism. Participants will also complete the training with a vision for further work, building upon the foundation of a common analysis of antiracism.

Analysis Trainings are open to individuals, though everyone is encouraged to attend with someone else from her/his church, organization, or community. Analysis Trainings are prerequisites for attendance at the Fire & Clay Retreat and the Team-Based Workshops below.

 

Introductory Workshops

If an organization is not yet ready or able to join in an Analysis Training, Damascus Road can provide referrals for speakers and facilitators who share our analysis of racism and can present shorter introductory workshops, lead Sunday school or small group sessions, or preach.

 

Set Free and Fire & Clay Retreats

During these caucusing retreats for People of Color or White People (respectively), participants explore issues of internalized racist oppression and superiority. These are sister programs of Damascus Road under the MCC U.S. Anti-Racism Program.

Set Free workshop/retreat

Fire & Clay retreat

 

Team-Based Trainings and Workshops

The following workshops are intended specifically for active antiracism teams that have attended the Antiracism Analysis Training and, ideally, Set Free or Fire & Clay. Damascus Road works with the sponsoring team(s) to establish the content that will be most helpful and relevant for the team's context.

 

Antiracism Organizing Training

The content of this 2 1/2 day training as established with the sponsoring team, might include topics such as: theological understanding of antiracism work; basic concepts and skills for institutional organizing; team life and maintenance; and developing a vision, goals and strategies for the team's work.

 

Antiracism Educating/Communicating Training

The content of this 2 1/2 day training as established with the sponsoring team, might include topics such as: concepts and skills for effective antiracist education; developing a one-day workshop; working with a multiracial facilitation team; and helpful ways to communicate an understanding of antiracism with others in formal and informal situations.

 

Bread for the Journey

These regional events for team resourcing and networking are customized to the needs and interests of local organizers.