In 2023, Indigenous Ministries and Justice collaborated with the Anti-Racism and Equity program to offer a webinar series for settlers and newcomers called “Placing Ourselves in Colonialism.”  Featuring the work of Elaine Enns and Ched Myers, the course was a hands-on deep dive into family history and its role in the ongoing colonialism that marks North American life. Learning from Elaine’s experience in particular, we traced back stories of our arrival and the resulting displacement of Indigenous peoples and people of African descent.  

We found many similarities as well as numerous points of difference. We shared some theological reflection and we were left thinking, what’s next? Part 2 is what’s next, and we’d like to spend some time reflecting more fully on where our work has taken us, and where we can go. For Michael, it is a reflection on generational work. Deanna thinks of the Exodus story and asks, “What does it mean for God to have promised occupied land to God’s people?”  Nobuko reflects on how she has benefitted from colonialism and been harmed by racism. For Sara, it was time to reckon with her comfort with white supremacy. 

What does it mean for us as a church? Join us again (or for the first time!*) in this new webinar, which will include both online sessions and asynchronous learning opportunities.  

How it works 

We’ll be meeting every two weeks from February 4 to March 18. Each week, a new (short!) theological reflection video from participants in the 2023 Placing Ourselves in Colonialism webinar will be posted. You are invited to view and reflect on this in whatever time is best for you. Please share your initial thoughts in the course forum. 

We’ll gather together each Tuesday from 7:00pm to 8:30pm ET to watch the videos together, review initial thoughts, and then go into small groups with some deeper theological questions about our place in colonialism. 

Series Schedule