URBAN SHALOM SOCIETY WEBINAR SERIES: Shalom in a Time of Pandemic: Glimpses of Regeneration
In just a few short months the global novel coronavirus pandemic has racked the world with tragic human loss. Hundreds of thousands of people are dead and the family and friends of millions more who have lost loved ones are afflicted with the grief. Billions more have been impacted by the economic turmoil, with the poor bearing the brunt of the suffering. Nothing has been left untouched or unchanged. The pandemic has also shown our incredible capacity for humanity and kindness. Across the globe people have rallied together to support frontline workers, protect strangers, their loved ones and their communities. What we don’t know, however, is what will be the full nature and extent of the changes?
As we go into the halfway mark of 2020 the Urban Shalom Society is hosting three webinars in June around the theme of “revealing” and “glimpses” in two broad areas of inquiry:
What is being revealed by the pandemic that our community, focused on urban shalom, is observing? What are we seeing that we should be paying attention to in cities, in culture, society, politics, and the economy? What is the Holy Spirit and God’s word opening up to us during the pandemic? What glimpses are we getting of the future, both good and bad, that need our intentional focus, our labor, and our advocacy so we’re contributing to positive changes affecting cities, changes that are more commensurate with God’s Kingdom than the pre-Covid-19 world we’re leaving behind?
WEBINAR 2 – Crisis & Hope Among the World’s Urban Poor: Covid-19 and the Church
Tuesday June 16, 9:00 – 11:00 AM US Eastern Standard Time
While UN-Habitat challenges the world to emerge stronger from this crisis and move closer to achieving the SDGs, getting to that point when you are living in an urban informal settlement that is densely populated, with little or no infrastructure or clean running water is difficult at best. Governments are inadequately responding to the contextual issues within slum settlements, despite lessons learned from past pandemics. Hunger is a deeper threat than the virus to many people. Yet another story is emerging. This webinar will showcase ways that the faith community is involved, highlighting lessons that can be taken forward, and suggesting recommendations for building resilient and thriving communities. Panelists: Mary Racelis, Philippines; Andrea Candia, Mexico; Pete Ondeng, Kenya; Praveen Gomez, Sri Lanka. Moderator: Grace Dyrness, Costa Rica and Los Angeles.
WEBINAR 3 – Lament & Imagination: A Theological Response to a Covid-19 World
Wednesday June 24, 9:00 – 11:00 AM US Eastern Standard Time
For the Church to engage effectively in response to Covid-19 we need a theology that allows for both lament and the forming of an imagination that points us to God’s hope for the world. This panel structured webinar will explore a practical theology based response to Covid-19 that reflects God’s very real presence in the world. Panelists: Athena Gorospe, Philippines; Sheryl Haw, United Kingdom; Martin Kapenda, Kenya; Dwight J. Friesen, USA. Moderator: Andre Van Eymeren, Australia.
