Staying in Conversation: Stewarding Community in Contentious Times

Tuesdays, May 6 - 13, 2025
3:00 - 5:00 p.m. ET
This program takes place online via Zoom meeting.
Registrants can receive access to the recordings afterward if live sessions are missed.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

In today's increasingly polarized world, church leaders often find themselves at the crossroads of social, political, and cultural divides. Participants will learn to create intentional spaces for dialogue, navigate difficult topics with grace, and promote a culture of understanding and empathy. This workshop is designed to equip church leaders with practical tools and strategies to foster open, respectful conversations within their faith communities. The workshop will also explore how the church can be a sanctuary for deep listening, encouraging participants to recommit to their call as people of faith to be in community. Additionally, the workshop will emphasize the importance of personal reflection and provide techniques to integrate healthy discourse practices into everyday conversations.

Key Takeaways:

• Learn effective communication techniques to facilitate open and respectful conversations.

• Develop strategies to manage and bridge social, political, and cultural divides.

• Gain insights into creating a supportive environment for difficult discussions

• Reflect on personal communication styles and practices to enhance dialogue.

• Understand how the church can serve as a space for deep listening and community building.

• Apply newly acquired skills to real-life scenarios within your faith community.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

• Clergy and lay leaders seeking to foster unity in their communities.

• Faith formation leaders and educators navigating divisive issues.

• Anyone committed to promoting empathy, understanding, and reconciliation within the church.

This event is brought to you by the department of Lifelong Learning at Virginia Theological Seminary.

Contact us (LifelongLearning@vts.edu) if the cost to participate is a barrier for you.

Questions? Email LifelongLearning@vts.edu.

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Dr. Lydia Reinig is the Director of Dialogue Across Difference Programs at Sewanee (The University of the South), where she passionately works to create spaces that empower individuals to engage across social, political, and cultural divides. With a deep commitment to fostering understanding and building bridges, Dr. Reinig leverages her extensive background in public engagement to facilitate meaningful conversations and capacity-building initiatives. She holds a Ph.D. in Communication from the University of Colorado Boulder and previously worked as Postdoctoral Teaching and Research Associate at the University of New Hampshire’s Civil Discourse Lab.  

Throughout her works, Lydia is dedicated to promoting constructive conversations that foster belonging and perspective-taking. Her approach is characterized by curious questions, active listening, and a focus on personal reflection, which she believes are crucial for navigating the complexities of diverse perspectives. Lydia’s work not only strengthens individual capacities but also enhances the collective action of communities. 

When she’s not facilitating transformative conversations, she enjoys running in the great outdoors, watching UK ambulance docuseries, road trips to the ocean, tracing distinctly Midwestern phrases, and having Wallace Benton greet her by calling out, “Lydz” at the top of his voice.