PRAX

Subject

PRAX

Type

course

Edition

2025-2026

Source

cdn.prod.website-files.com

“Tell me what theology looks like! This is what theology looks like!” This riff off the now-common chant about democracy could be heard from a Martin Luther King, Jr. Day March down Broad Street to an Education action on the Pennsylvania State Capital in the Rotunda in Harrisburg. Across the country, people of faith are organizing across racial, cultural, economic, and religious lines for justice in record numbers. What is faith-based community organizing? How can seminarians, pastors, and ministry leaders benefit from exploring the theology, history, and strategies of this form of ethical democracy and engaged citizenship? This course will examine the ways that faith-based community organizing can strengthen congregational relationships, put public theology into action, extend the justice and mission work of churches, dismantle racism, and build beloved community. Participants will be engaged in faith-based campaigns for justice, deepen their understanding of and learn to articulate their faith commitment to transformation, and develop skills that will translate into any ministry or community context. The course will be taught by Rev. Linda Noonan (ULS adjunct faculty and UCC pastor) and Bishop Dwayne Royster (Executive Director of POWER Interfaith, public theologian, and UCC pastor). It will include some of the country’s leading faith-based change-makers and two panels of national leaders which will be open to the public. MA Public Theology requirement, MA Professional track specialization course, or free elective. [No prerequisites]

Subject

PRAX

Type

course

Edition

2025-2026

Source

cdn.prod.website-files.com

Abuse in the Christan Environment The purpose of this course is to examine the impact of abuse (broadly defined as cruel and violent treatment of a person) in the lives of the children of God: child abuse; elder abuse; abuse of persons with developmental needs; sexual abuse; physical abuse; emotional abuse and spiritual abuse. The impact of such abuse follows a child of God throughout life and needs to be examined through the lenses of faith formation, theology, the Bible, law, and behavioral science (education, psychology, counseling/pastoral care and cognitive science). The public record documents that religious leaders might well be the abuser – or those in religious leadership are the secondary abuser because of a lack of understanding of the legal systems in place to respond to accusations. All too often faith community leaders offer inappropriate and careless responses to those victims and families, as well as to survivors 62

Subject

PRAX

Type

course

Edition

2025-2026

Source

cdn.prod.website-files.com