United Theological Seminary

What does it mean to be a progressive black church leader in the Pentecostal Church? We will discuss God, Gays and Guns: Religion and the Future of Democracy by Osagyefo Uhuru Sekou, interspersing Sekou’s work with some of his music for discussion.

We’ll discuss Miguel de la Torre’s most recent work, Embracing Hopelessness. How do we embrace our hopelessness as a path to resistance?

Welcome by President Lew Zeidner, Ph.D.

Address by Jennifer Awes-Freeman, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Arts and Theology

“Pema Chödrön and Compassion: The Love That Will Not Die” allows attendees to explore what “compassion” is and learn skillful means to work with their habits and neuroses, and by extension, work with others. Become more familiar with how we shut down to what is happening, so you can soften and then naturally be present for others. Enjoy video and audio clips of Ani Pema teaching and share meditation practice (Shamatha-Vipassyana and Tonglen). Full instruction will be offered, so you do not need to have done these practices before. Previous participation in this workshop series is not required.