Soteria Community School, a program of The Festival Center, provides political and theological education by drawing on the wisdom of community members. This semester we are offering four classes, each running for 6 weeks. Each class costs $25. All classes are held at The Festival Center in Adams Morgan on either Tuesday or Wednesday evening from 7pm to 8:30pm (note: each ticket, regardless of the class, will say “Tuesday”). We can’t wait to partner and learn with you!
*Please never let money prevent you from taking a course with us, email us at info@festivalcenter.org for scholarship inquiries.
Title: Telling Our Stories: Learning and Sharing DC Oral History
Instructor: Katie Davis, journalist, broadcaster and oral historian. Her work has aired on NPR, This American Life. She recently finished an indepth project collecting oral history interviews in Anacostia.
Dates: Tuesdays from 7pm – 8:30pm, Nov. 6th – Dec. 11th
Telling stories is central to being human; it’s a powerful tool to connect with our neighbors. In a community where many people do not know each other, oral history will open a way to connecting to each other,learning about our histories, and even identifying ongoing conflict.
We will dig into the history of Adams Morgan, DC, including the Church of the Savoir and other groups that contributed to the neighborhood as we know it. Over the course of the class, we will learn to conduct an oral history interview and will invite at least one person from the neighborhood to come and tell their story. Through the art of deep listening and knowing when to interject, we will learn how to use audio equipment and prepare for an interview.
Title: Place in the Imaginary: Space and Time in the Writing Process
Instructor: Kangsen Wakai, MFA, Author and Poet
Dates: Tuesdays from 7pm – 8:30pm, Nov. 6th – Dec. 11th
This course aims to explore how place can inflect the writing process. Participants will engage with poetry and nonfiction that highlight ways in which actual or figurative location can liven ideas and experiences during the creative process. Weekly discussions and workshops will provide tools to help the writer situate themselves/ideas/experiences in space and time.
This workshop is accessible for all writers, including beginners. This is a creative writing course for those interested in flash fiction and non-fiction, poetry, and memoir. Participants will also find a supportive space to give and gain feedback about the piece they’ll develop during the course.
Title: Decolonizing Dominant Christian Theology and Practice
Instructor: AnaYelsi Velasco-Sanchez, Venezuelan IndoLatinx mujerista who has worked as a faith-based organizer. She is a consultant, speaker, writer, and visual artist. Her column, Brown Eyed Amazon, can be found at Patheos and she is the co-host for the Mystic Soul podcast. Twitter: @brwneyedamzn Pronouns: she/her/hers
Dates: Wednesdays from 7pm – 8:30pm, Nov. 7th – Dec. 12th
How do we bring the principles of anti-racism and anti-oppression into the church? We will explore the systemic, cultural, and historical forces that produce and sustain dominant Christian theology and practice in the U.S. We will also explore the role of scripture, language, power, and storytelling in working for justice, lamenting, and healing. Special attention will be paid to race, colonialism, and gender/sexuality.
Title: Sacred Gathering: Contemplative and Meditative Practices in Community
Instructor: Anna Franklin, Organizer, teacher, and consultant. Anna strives to create a warm and welcoming community while drawing upon the rich and universal spirituality that yoga, meditation, and contemplative practices offer. She is currently studying with Richard Rohr, Barbara Holmes, and other wisdom teachers at the Living School at the Center for Action and Contemplation.
Dates: Wednesdays from 7pm – 8:30pm, Nov. 7th – Dec. 12th
Based on the model of Satsang, this will be a safe and supportive space in which to discuss key but often difficult life topics such as desire, suffering, solidarity, nonviolence, and community. We will draw on a multiple religious and philosophical traditions (e.g. Christian, Vedic, Sikh, Sufi, Buddhist). Led by the instructor, we will also explore contemplative and meditative practices including yogic chanting, breath exercises, meditations, and prayer. Students will gain insight and tools for navigating the difficult and murky areas their lives.
