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.
CSJR is governed and guided by an Advisory Board, which meets at least quarterly. The Board is comprised of sixteen members who, through diversity of race, cultural background, denomination, experience, and area of expertise, bring a range of insight, critical thought, and creativity to the Center. These members also give voice to the Center in the wider community, promote Center events, and connect the Center with key thought leaders and organizers to create opportunities for partnership and collaboration in local, regional, and national social justice work. Current Board members include:
• The Reverend Dr. Richard Boyce, Former Vice President and Academic Dean, Union Presbyterian Seminary – Charlotte and Former Professor of Preaching and Pastoral Leadership
• The Reverend Veronica Cannon, Stated Supply Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Waxhaw, NC
• The Reverend Dr. John Cleghorn, Pastor of Caldwell Presbyterian Church, Charlotte, NC
• The Reverend Dr. Joe Clifford, Pastor, Myers Park Presbyterian Church, Charlotte, NC
• The Reverend Dr. de’Angelo Dia, Director of Admissions, Union Presbyterian Seminary, Charlotte, NC
• The Reverend Jimmie Hawkins, Director, Office of Public Witness, Presbyterian Church U.S.A.
• The Reverend Sally Herlong, Charlotte Chaplain, Union Presbyterian Seminary, Charlotte, NC
• The Reverend Phanta Lansden, Senior Pastor, St. James Presbyterian Church, Greensboro, NC
• The Reverend Luke Maybry, Pastor, Matthews Presbyterian Church, Matthews, NC
• Erin Mills, Program Associate, Center for Social Justice and Reconciliation
• The Reverend Dr. Tim Moore, Director of Donor Development, Union Presbyterian Seminary – Charlotte
• The Reverend Leslie Oliver, Pastor, Sanctuary Outreach Ministries, Charlotte, NC
• The Reverend Lori Raible, Pastor, Selwyn Avenue Presbyterian Church, Charlotte, NC, and member, Board of Trustees at Union Presbyterian Seminary
• The Reverend Dr. Rodney Sadler, Jr, Director, Center for Social Justice and Reconciliation and Associate Professor of Bible, Union Presbyterian Seminary – Charlotte
• The Reverend Dr. Sheldon Shipman, Pastor, Greenville Memorial AME Zion Church, Charlotte, NC
• The Reverend Dr. Dwayne Walker, Pastor, Little Rock A.M.E. Zion Church, Charlotte, NC
• The Reverend Dr. Peter Wherry, Pastor, Mayfield Memorial Missionary Baptist Church, Charlotte, NC
• The Reverend Dr. Ricky Woods, Senior Minister, First Baptist Church – West, Charlotte, NC
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)
CSJR Events
Partner Events
Community Events
The 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
pdfBe Made Well: Seeking Wholeness of Life Sunday, October 20, 2019
testCOVID-19: A Parable of Plagues before Deliverance September 14, 2020
YoutubeOn 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.
Watch this eventOn January 10th and 12th, 2022 the CSJR hosted three webinars for the 2022 African American Social Justice Preaching Series. The world today is in a tumultuous state as we recover from a global pandemic in a time of racial unrest and political division. Is there a word from the Lord for this moment? What are people of faith called to do as we confront these and other challenges? On January 12th, a lunch conversation was held with Reverend Nelson and Mrs. Joyce Johnson and the Rev. Dr. William Turner where faith leaders were able to engage them on issues of social justice proclamation and activism.
Watch event here:Black History Month Booklist (curated by Seminarian and Womanist Scholar, Dana Purdom)
DownloadSpiritual 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.
Watch event here: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.
Sadler in his article attempts to reframe the conversation about the ongoing conflict between Palestine and Israel—a conflict that has left many people feeling angry and frustrated. Despite the urgency of the situation, the global community has done little to end the conflict once and for all. This is not a forever conflict, and it is not a religious or historical battle. It is a result of European colonialism in the 19th and 20th centuries and a strategy of pitting people against each other to make them easier to control. Both sides have been told different “wrong stories” to demonize the other, but they are really just brothers. Sadler’s article narrates the conflict through the story of two brothers who follow a similar path to Palestine and Israel and are eventually able to realize their commonalities.
Read More