Module 7

• For virtual facilitation, you can use a tool like the Zoom virtual whiteboard or Mural (free) to begin the Local Community Assessment. Use text boxes to make three categories entitled, “Living into”, “Undermining”, and “Growth Opportunities.” Assign a color to each category listed (so three different colors). Be mindful of people who may be color-blind in your group. 
• Participants can add their answers via the sticky notes feature, or via their own text boxes. You can also use different-colored sticky notes to delineate responses. Be mindful of people who may be color-blind in your group.  
• If you are new to using virtual whiteboards and similar tools, you can learn more here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0nMPqe10GE
• Save the Mural or Whiteboard for future reference and planning.

Write the prompt before the session begins: 

• “I see…” – What RJ issues do you see happening in your example?
• “I think…” – What do you think is happening in this situation?
• “I wonder…” – Wonder to yourself: How this could be different?

Option 1:

Video: Plum Village App “Free Yourself | Teaching by Thich Nhat Hanh” – Buddhist
mindfulness and regaining self/agency amidst overwhelm and suffering (5:08)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgQmpTiWedw

Option 2: Prayer

God who is known by many names,
Spirit of Life and Love, 
We are grateful for this unique opportunity to be together,
To share honestly about our lives and our struggles, our principles and our hopes.

Be with us on this journey: 
Towards the goal of individual and collective healing.
Towards the goal of individual and collective liberation. 
Amen. 

• Introduction instructions in the chat: Name, Pronouns, What is one word or sound that represents how you are feeling or arriving?
• Are there any themes or pressing content that came up in your RJ Show and Tell discussions?

This community commits to: 

• Creating loving, justice-seeking faith communities where shame, judgment, and stigma for diverse reproductive decisions and journeys have no place. 
• Supporting the work of parenting and the healthy growth of children in safe, sustainable, and nurturing communities. 
• Advocating for equitable access to the full spectrum of comprehensive reproductive healthcare as a moral and social good, and supporting the fulfillment of reproductive moral agency and flourishing for all.

Transformation can happen in a number of ways. SisterSong informs us that any transformation that leads to Reproductive Justice requires us to regularly: 

1. Analyze power systems
2. Address intersecting oppressions
3. Center the most marginalized. 
4. Join together across issues and identities

What is Transformation (noun)

• An act, process or instance of being changed in composition or structure
• An act, process or instance of changing the outward form of appearance of
• An act, process or instance of changing in character or condition 

Transformation implies a “major change in form, nature, or function.”

1. Case Study #1: Church donates part of its proceeds of its manse to the Lenape people https://pres-outlook.org/2025/01/pennsylvania-church-surrenders-part-of-the-proceeds-of-the-sale-of-its-manse-to-the-lenape-people/ 
2. Case Study #2: Jewish tradition meets sustainability: Pittsburgh synagogues go solar https://jewishchronicle.timesofisrael.com/jewish-tradition-meets-sustainability-pittsburgh-synagogues-go-solar/ 
3. Case Study #3: UCC churches see reproductive justice as key ministry in 2022 https://www.ucc.org/ucc-churches-see-reproductive-justice-as-key-ministry-in-2022/ 
4. Case Study #4: How a congregation came to pay reparations https://anabaptistworld.org/how-a-congregation-came-to-pay-reparations/ 

• As you read these stories, what did you notice?
• What community values and beliefs lead them to engage in transformational action?
• Who helped this transformation occur? What are the different ways people participate in the process?
• What were the decision points along the way? How did the community navigate them? 
• What was transformed? Property? People’s thinking? Institutional rules? Norms? 

• What do these stories all have in common? 
• From these case studies, what lessons about local transformation resonate most with you? 
• Can you see any similarities between this case study and your context? Could you see your context following a similar path? 

Additional Optional Questions (Time permitting, unless conflict and trust have not come up as themes)

• What is the role of trust and relationships in local transformation? 
• What is the role of conflict? 

7.1 Local Community Assessment Worksheet – pdf 
8.1 SACReD Curriculum Community Scan – pdf 

Virtual Facilitation and Preparation:

1. Prepare a virtual whiteboard. Use text boxes to make three categories entitled, “Living into”, “Undermining”, and “Growth Opportunities.” Assign a color to each category listed (so three different colors). See the Resources Page for additional support on how to use a virtual whiteboard.
2. People can give their answers via the sticky notes  feature, or via their own text boxes. Participants can also use different-colored sticky notes to delineate their responses. 
3. Save the whiteboard for future reference and planning.

• What do you notice about each category? 
• Where is there energy or consensus?
• Where are there distinctions?

1. How does your local community’s life and story connect with Reproductive (in-)Justice? 
2. How is shame impacting the internal life of your congregation/organization (regarding issues related to Reproductive Justice)?
3. Based on your assessment, what needs to transform in your local community’s beliefs, behaviors, biases, or habits to more deeply commit to the work of Reproductive Justice?
4. In the most concrete, day-to-day terms, Where/how do you think your local community is most ready to deepen its practice of RJ commitments?  What are your next best opportunities over the next 6 months?

1. Prepare your RJ Show and Tell item
2. Complete your Worksheet 8.1 Community Scan. The Community Scan Worksheet asks you to do a bit of research to brainstorm how your local community can plug into the work larger movements and/or groups are already doing for Reproductive Justice.  SACReD Curriculum Community Scan

What is our next best step?

Leader: For a world where bigotry and oppression prevent so many people from living joyfully and openly:

Response: Let us create loving, justice-seeking faith communities where shame, judgment, and stigma have no place. 

Leader: For a world where God and theology have so often been used as weapons of harm:  

Response: Let us create loving, justice-seeking faith communities where shame, judgment, and stigma have no place. Leader: 

For all the people and communities in need of healing and wholeness,          

Everyone: Let us create loving, justice-seeking faith communities where shame, judgment, and stigma have no place. 

Blessed Be/Amen/Language of your choosing.