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Application

Eligibility

• Preference will be given to Christian Congregations in the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Capital region.
• The Congregation and its leadership must be committed to undergoing a two-year Christian anti-racism program leading towards initiating and/or deepening their racial justice efforts as they consider their tradition, mission, practices, and values.
• Each congregation will select a cohort of three representatives. The participants from each congregation must include pastoral and lay persons. (Not all participants need to be identified when the online application form is submitted, but cohorts should be identified before June 30, 2023.)
• Cohort members must be comfortable dialoguing and interacting with an ecumenically and theologically diverse group of participants.
• Cohort members must commit to attending a majority of nine events over two years, including a 5-day civil rights bus tour. Projected program dates will be annouced prior to June 30.

Selection Process

• Applications are due by May 15, 2023.
• Applications wil be reviewed by the Thriving Together Leadership Team; this committee will select twelve congregations for participation in the two-year program.
• The committee will notify applicants by May 31, 2023.

Application Process

The application consists of the following:

• Each congregation will fill out an online application form.
• Each congregation will submit an application letter, signed by congregational leadership and participants (if known).
• Congregational participants may be required to do a follow-up interview (in-person or via Zoom).

Application Letter

Please complete your letter prior to filling out the application form.

The congregational letter should address the following questions:

1. Why do you want to participate in Thriving Together: Congregations for Racial Justice?
2. Who are you as a congregation? Describe your congregation, especially in relation to your interest in participating in the program, and in light of your congregation’s tradition, mission, and values.
3. Describe the neighborhood context that your congregation serves. How would you describe the relationship between your congregation and the surrounding community?
4. Has the church done any work on questions of race and racial justice? How would you describe your congregational self-awareness on this issue?
5. Briefly describe your church leadership and congregational polity structure. What persons and groups have decision-making power in your congregation?
6. What are some of the hopes and challenges that your participation in Thriving Together might raise?

Please contact thriving@messiah.edu with any questions about the application or selection process. We have begun reviewing applications, so please let us know as soon as possible if your congregation is interested but has not yet applied.