Listening Across Differences

This workshop will be a live webinar through Zoom. A Zoom link will be included in an email sent to you after registration. Not able to attend on this date? Ask us how you can access a recording of the webinar.

Power structures are deeply embedded in society. How do you listen, relate, and learn with those who are experiencing the world very differently than you? For spiritual directors, pastors, and others providing spiritual care, hear from experts from our local community. This panel conversation will address how to listen sacredly to another’s experiences across large differences.

Panelists will explore:

• Why is it so urgent to “Listen Across Differences”?
• What are the roots of these differences we are facing in our country?
• What are the skills needed to listen sacredly across differences? 
• What are ways we can work together on a grassroots level?

Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Soto will facilitate the discussion pulling from her wide diversity of experience as an author, pastor, chaplain and professor. She is a Professor of Practice at Lancaster Theological Seminary and was previously their Coordinator of Field Education. Soto was the first Latina to become Moderator of Mennonite Church USA. Soto obtained her seminary degree at Seminario Evangélico de Puerto Rico, and Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary. She completed her Doctor of Ministry degree from San Francisco Theological Seminary. This fall she co-authored, Liberating the Politics of Jesus: Renewing Peace Theology through the Wisdom of Women.

Rev. Carla Christopher Wilson, MDiv, is Associate Pastor at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd. She is also the Assistant to the Bishop in Charge of Justice Ministries of Lower Susquehanna Synod in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. She has been a community organizer, cultural consultant, and advocate. Carla was the former Poet Laureate of York and performs occasionally with a funk fusion band.

Rev. Dr. Noé Juarez is the Pastor for Mission at Highland Presbyterian Church and an adjunct professor of practical theology at Lancaster Theological Seminary. He attended Columbia Seminary for his Doctor of Ministry and is certified in Clinical Pastoral Education (Levels 1 and 2). Noé is originally from Peru. He loves literature and poetry, and is the director of a Latin Band.

Rev. Julia Bruton-Sheppard is ordained as a Baptist Minister and is Associate Minister at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church. She is also the Program Facilitator for Communication and Leader Development at the Philadelphia Baptist Association where part of her work is providing spiritual direction for pastors and writing diversity curriculum on Cultural Humility. Julia’s previous career was as a hospice nurse. She is a seasoned Spiritual Director and is a faculty member for PRC’s Kairos Spiritual Direction Training.