CONFERENCE WEEK MONDAY, JULY 7 - FRIDAY, JULY 11

WORKSHOPS

The Arts of Public Life - Power, Justice, Self-Interest and the World as it Should Be

Larry Gordon and Cheri Andes
Greater Boston Interfaith Organization

This course will explore how we get "traction" with social justice --  moving beyond proclamation and witness to concrete, measurable, visible impact in the real world.  How do we bring the values we cherish to bear in the public arena.  How can we have conviction yet "compromise"?  And who "leads"?  And how is this "ministry"?  And what is our imagination for the local parish as "mediating institution."

The teaching mode will be very interactive with the students, and will include a combination of layout (conceptual and examples), engaging students to react to what is being presented, questions, and role play, with scripture text woven in where appropriate.

Larry Gordon has been a professional organizer with the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF) since 1990, and before that with the civil rights organization known as the National Welfare Rights Organization. He is currently organizing with the Boston affiliate of the IAF, the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization, an organization largely responsible for 300,000 residents acquiring health care insurance in the state, and has consulted with organized labor, neighborhood groups and the disability community.

Cheri Andes is the Lead Organizer for the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization -- a broad-based organization whose mission is to develop local leadership and organized power to work on economic and social justice issues in Greater Boston and the State of Massachusetts. She has been a professional organizer for fifteen years, and the lead at GBIO for the past four years.

While attending all three afternoon presentations will give a more comprehensive understanding of Facing History and Ourselves’ work, students may attend individual sessions