Church’s Government Relations Office hosts webinar introducing civil discourse curriculum

[Episcopal News Service] The Episcopal Church’s Office of Government Relations hosted an online workshop Aug. 27 to introduce its civil discourse curriculum.

The goal is to help Episcopalians understand how to use civil discourse to bridge partisan divides and learn from one another ahead of the Nov. 5 general election and beyond.

“The hope is that our church communities can be a place where we can have differences and still be in relationship, and that we can do so without demonizing or dehumanizing others in any way,” Rebecca Linder Blachly, director of the Washington, D.C.-based Office of Government Relations, said during the “A Civil Discourse Primer: Building Capacity for Engaging on Tough Topics” online workshop.

The interactive, five-part curriculum, called “Make Me an Instrument of Peace: A Guide to Civil Discourse,” focuses on “inward growth and outward application.” It defines civil discourse as “conversation to enhance understanding,” said Alan Yarborough, the office’s church relations officer. 

Yarborough told the 227 participants to look at civil discourse as a way to build capacity into individual and community development. To give an idea of what Episcopalians can expect from the curriculum, Yarborough shared a video clip of the Rev. Ranjit K. Mathews, canon to the ordinary in the Diocese of Connecticut, explaining the importance of listening to others.

“At its heart, civil discourse is holy work, because as humans we are made in the image of God,” Mathews said in the video, which is one of several included in the curriculum. “These conversations, or discourse, are not happening in a vacuum, but in the very real arena of our world. …It is important to acknowledge that we don’t enter into these conversations as disembodied people.”

In addition to mindful, active listening, the curriculum also explores topics like speaking for oneself and sharing talk time – building a genuine curiosity for other perspectives to better understand issues. It includes a mix of video, discussion questions, and self-assessment opportunities, available to view here. Participants can move through the curriculum at their own pace. Once completed, participants can access a downloadable resource for further study.

The Office of Government Relations co-created the curriculum with the church’s Department of Faith Formation and ChurchNext, a ministry of Forward Movement.

In the chat function, webinar participants shared issues that are most contentious in their congregations. Some commonly mentioned issues included the ongoing Israel-Gaza war, in vitro fertilization and the immigration.

Yarborough also mentioned the office’s “Vote Faithfully” election engagement toolkit, which has been updated for this presidential election year. Resources include ways of recognizing and addressing misinformation, disinformation and political violence. The toolkit also includes information on voter registration, becoming a poll worker and community advocacy mobilization on policy reforms backed by General Convention resolutions.

“Some of these issues are highly contentious, and while it is possible for meaningful legislation to pass with one political party, there are substantial limitations to partisan legislating … The first step towards achieving our policy goals and advocacy is often through respectful conversations,” Lindsey Delks, a domestic policy adviser for the office, said during the webinar.

The Episcopal Church does not endorse individual political candidates but rather encourages Episcopalians’ nonpartisan advocacy and political engagement as a way of witnessing Jesus’ gospel message in today’s world. The Government Relations Office, following public policy positions endorsed by General Convention, regularly meets with federal officeholders to discuss the church’s stances on the issues of the day. It also promotes churchwide engagement through its Episcopal Public Policy Network.

It also continues to promote its Episcopal Activators program, in which volunteers help voters in their community navigate the processes for registering to vote and casting ballots, especially in states with new voting restrictions.

Episcopalians will have another opportunity next month to hear Presiding Bishop Michael Curry speak on similar issues in a webinar hosted by the Episcopal Parish Network. The panel discussion is scheduled for Sept. 18 at 1 p.m. Eastern. It will explore “the meaning behind voting from a theological perspective that centers this civic action as one expression of caring for one another and God’s creation.”

-Shireen Korkzan is a reporter and assistant editor for Episcopal News Service based in northern Indiana. She can be reached at skorkzan@episcopalchurch.org.