PRAR Workshops for Georgia Disciples in 2025

As the 46 Disciples congregations seek to be “God’s beloved community,” the conversation about race and faith is crucial. There will be several opportunities for Pro-Reconciliation Anti-Racism training in Georgia in 2025. Georgia Disciples clergy are required to complete PRAR training every five years to retain standing. All regional staff and volunteers, including administrative, program, and camp, as well as Regional Board members, are also required to complete PRAR training. Scroll down the page for more information and to register.

Workshops in Georgia Led by Virginia Region

ARPR Workshop

The Reconciliation Commission of the Christian Church in Virginia returns this year for another in-person ARPR workshop on Friday, September 12, 2025, from 9 am to 3 pm, after a successful Georgia training led by the team in 2024. With the theme “Let’s Talk” as a guide, leaders use the Biblical texts and guided discussions to provide a lens for a way forward in the work of becoming anti-racist and pro-reconciling. Within these guided discussions, the team provides the language — words, definitions and understanding of systems — to deepen understanding. This workshop is open to lay leaders, clergy, regional staff, volunteers, and Regional Board members, and any interested members of Georgia Disciples congregations. This training also meets the Commission on Ministry Clergy PRAR requirement. The fee for this training is $25.

“Train the Trainers” Workshop

Those who attend the September 12 ARPR workshop may elect to participate in a ARPR “Train the Trainers” on Saturday, September 13, from 9 am to 3 pm, which will equip you to facilitate ARPR workshops for clergy and lay people. “Train the Trainers” participants must also attend the Friday workshop on September 12. There is a need for trainers to lead and continue to build on the work of anti-racism and pro-reconciliation. Change happens through dialogue and engagement with one another and deepening relationships. The Reconciliation Commission from the Christian Church in Virginia will guide participants, step by step, to lead the ARPR workshop that you will have participated in on Friday. In addition, you will receive materials and resources to host ARPR workshops and build a team in your own region, church, and community. Upon full completion of the “Train the Trainers” ARPR training, you will receive a certificate confirming your certification to facilitate ARPR workshops. By participating in a “training for trainers,” you as a certified ARPR trainer can provide information and education, equip new team members, build bridges, and shine a light on how we can further the conversation around this work in our churches, communities, workplaces, schools, neighborhoods, and families. The fee for this training is $75.

Training Details

Location

The ARPR workshop on September 12, as well as the “Train the Trainers” training on September 13, will be held at Brookhaven Christian Church, 4500 Peachtree Rd., Atlanta, GA 30319. These are both in-person events; there are no virtual components to these workshops.

Schedule

Friday, September 12

8:45 am — Check-in and continental breakfast
9:00 am — ARPR Workshop
12:00 pm — Lunch
1:00 pm — ARPR Workshop
3:00 pm — Workshop concludes following worship

Dinner on your own for out-of town participants in the September 13 “Train the Trainers”

Saturday, September 13

8:45 am — Check-in and continental breakfast
9:00 am — Train the Trainer Workshop
12:00 pm — Lunch
1:00 pm — Train the Trainer Workshop
3:00 pm — Workshop concludes following worship

Registration

Use the link below to register for the ARPR workshop on September 12, as well as the September 13 “Train the Trainers” workshop. Registration deadline is August 22, 2025.

Leadership & Goals

The Virginia Region’s Reconciliation Commission began their work in 2016 with four people. Today, they have a team of more than 20 people, comprised of lay people and ministers who teach workshops across Virginia as well as in other regions. The objective of this training is to facilitate reconciliation. In addition to basic anti-racism instruction, they will discuss what reconciliation is, how to work toward it, as well as opportunities to do Anti-Racism/Pro-Reconciliation (ARPR) work in your community. Reconciliation is a powerful biblical concept, rooted in the belief that all people can be redeemed and restored to right relationships. In 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 we read, "All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people's sins against them." Through reconciliation training, individuals can learn the keys to help others to forgive and build bridges with those from different racial or ethnic backgrounds, mirroring the forgiveness and reconciliation offered by Christ. One of the core values of Christianity also is the commandment to love one another. In the Gospel of John, Jesus says, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another" (John 13:34). Anti-racism training encourages individuals to extend this love and acceptance to people of all races and backgrounds, fostering a sense of belonging and respect.