The Center for Social Justice and Reconciliation operates from the seminary’s Charlotte campus and is directed by Associate Professor of Bible Rodney S. Sadler Jr. Grounded in a ministry that is mandated in scripture, its two main goals are to remind people in seminary of the significance of social justice work as part of ministry and to bring the activist community into the seminary.
The Center for Holocaust, Genocide, and Human Rights Studies, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Charlotte Clergy Coalition for Justice
The Freedom Center for Social Justice
GreenFaith
Healthcare Justice NC
Industrial Areas Foundation (Charlotte Organizing Group)
MeckMIN
Migrant Assistance Project
North Carolina NAACP
Stan Greenspon Center for Social Justice
Reimagining America Project: The Truth, Reconciliation, and Atonement Commission of Charlotte, NC (RAP/TRACC)
Workshop with Janet Wolf, civil rights activist, educator and pastor. Co-sponsored by Union Presbyterian Seminary, the Center for Social Justice...
CSJR Events
Partner Events
Community Events
COVID-19: A Parable of Plagues before Deliverance September 14, 2020
YoutubeThe Recruitment of God’s Dream Team, September 15, 2020
YoutubeGeorge Floyd Protests: Temporary Uprising, Movement, or Miracle? September 15, 2020
YoutubeA Plea and Petition Suggested by a Black Brother in the Spirit of Love
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Dr. Jacq Lapsley, President of Union Presbyterian Seminary, presents learnings from her participation in and leadership of the work surrounding the historical audit on slavery undertaken at Princeton Seminary, including the implications of the audit for changes in the seminary’s commitments and curriculum as they relate to race, as well as larger issues of social justice.
Luncheon and Q&A for Faith Leaders Tuesday, January 9th at 11:30am ET "Guerilla Exegesis: Reimagining How We Read the Text" Union Presbyterian Seminary
Webinar Tuesday, January 9th at 7pm ET "Just Jesus: What Jesus Might Say About Contemporary Crises”
2022 AASJPS- Just Preach! Just Act! Conversation with Dr. William Turner and Reverend Nelson Johnson and Joyce Johnson
Watch event here:On January 10, 2022, the Rev. Dr. William C. Turner, Jr of Durham, NC explored the intricacies and imperatives of social justice preaching in "Just Preach!".
Watch this event:On January 12, 2022, the Rev. Nelson and Mrs. Joyce Johnson of Greensboro, NC discussed their life’s work together in social activism and their sponsorship of our nation’s first Truth and Reconciliation Commission in a session entitled “Just Act!”
Watch event here:On January 13, 2020 at CN Jenkins Memorial Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, Rev. Dr. Otis Moss Jr. and Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III discussed civil rights and social justice with the Union Presbyterian Seminary Center for Social Justice and Reconciliation.
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Black History Month Booklist (curated by Seminarian and Womanist Scholar, Dana Purdom)
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Spiritual formation is strongly shaped by visual and performance art, music, dance, play, and storytelling. The intersection of justice, spirituality, imagination, embodiment and the arts, is sometimes referred to as theopoetics–which combines elements of poetry, process thought, narrative theology, and postmodern philosophy.
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Webinar - August 20, 2020 (Click image to watch this event)
Watch on YouTubeThe Center for Social Justice and Reconciliation formally welcomes 2023/24 CSJR Student Ambassadors, Kate Brown, Ayesha Edwards, Cellonia Ndede, and Courtney Shudak. These students have shown extraordinary commitment to the Center since its inception and are dedicated to the critical social justice work we are called to as disciples of Christ. Kate, Ayesha, Cellonia, and Courtney will lead and coordinate the Seminarians for Social Justice, organize quarterly student-led panel discussions, assist the Center with events throughout the year, and serve as student liaisons. Interested students are encouraged reach out to our Student Ambassadors with ideas, questions, and concerns – we would love to hear from you!
Courtney Shudak is a native Texan and a recent transplant to beautiful North Carolina. She is studying in the Master of Divinity program at Union Presbyterian Seminary. Courtney is passionate about ecumenical work and bridge building. Outside of work and school, Courtney is an avid marathon runner and otherwise enjoys recovery outside with a good book or sharing a tasty meal with friends.
Ayesha Edwards is currently pursuing a dual degree in Christian Education and Public Theology at Union Presbyterian Seminary. She is a lifelong learner and educator whose commitment is spreading the message of Jesus Christ while advocating and engaging in matters of social justice. Her primary interests include dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline & education reform, orphans, widows, women & leadership, human trafficking, and basic human needs & rights such as food insecurity, the unhoused and voting rights.
Cellonia Ndede from Nairobi Kenya, is a second year student in the Master of Arts in Christian Education program in Richmond campus. She graduated with an MBA from University of Leicester, United Kingdom and subsequently worked for 15+ years in Marketing and Human Resource Management positions for various multinationals in Nairobi. In response to a spiritual calling, she later joined International Leadership University in Nairobi where she graduated with a Bachelor of Theology degree in 2019; that led to her finding her way into Union Presbyterian Seminary in 2022. Cellonia enjoys close communication with individuals; speaking up when a voice of reason is needed and has a special heart for those who are vulnerable or have special needs in the society, especially elderly persons.
Kate Brown grew up a “preacher’s kid” in God’s country – the foothills of western North Carolina. Kate was born to be an educator – she attended Appalachian State University in Boone, NC for her B.S. in English (Secondary Education) and received her M.Ed. in Middle & Secondary Education while she was teaching high school English in western North Carolina. Kate has hopes of going on to complete a Ph.D in either Old Testament or biblical languages. Her call to ministry and education stems from a desire to engage with the original biblical texts and translate and interpret them in a historically-conscious way that also reflects the inclusive values of a changing world and raises up the marginalized. In her free time, Kate likes to read, travel, and spend time with her husband and their cat, Bea.
JustAct is the Center for Social Justice and Reconciliation’s ongoing conversation of justice, faith, and society. Resources are posted on the digital newsletter throughout the month. Sign up to receive our email newsletter to see the latest posts.
Two Students Reflect on Dr. Jacqueline Lapsley’s Experience with an Audit on Racial Disparity This past fall, Union Presbyterian Seminary’s…
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