Artist-activist, writer, performance poet, content creator, and workshop facilitator, Carla creates commissioned work, leads generative and process workshops for adults and youth, and performs on stage and screen.

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Cultural Competency

Carla is an award-winning curriculum developer, public speaker, workshop facilitator, and trainer in areas of community-based activism, Racial Justice, Disability, and LGBTQIA+ equity and restorative justice mediation.

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Ministry

Carla is an ordained pastor with dual standing in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and United Church of Christ (UCC). A certified interfaith trauma and crisis chaplain, she specializes in community-centered visioning congregational vitality as both a pastor and a congregational consultant.

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Poetry & Creative

"Artist-activist" Carla Christopher was York, Pennsylvania's fourth Poet Laureate and has toured the globe as a performer and workshop leader. Author of poetry collections; Song, Baby Read Me Something with Rhythm, Made in York, Flowers from A Black Garden, and Slave Catechism, Carla weaves cultural storytelling and history with lyrical and evocative imagery. From written or performance poetry to lively and interactive shows with her funk fusion band, Groove Ink, Carla's original and commissioned work delight in relevant and inspiring ways/

Cultural Competency

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging coach and trainer, Carla Christopher, is an award-winning curriculum designer, dialogue facilitator, restorative justice moderator and public speaker for nonprofits and organizations. Carla specializes in areas of Racial Justice, LGBTQIA+, Disability Inclusion, general cultural competence, and community-based advocacy. She partners with community-oriented clients to create customized trainings, conduct equity audits, utilize restorative justice mediation in times of challenge or crisis, and develop inclusion-based strategic plans.

Ministry

The Reverend Carla Christopher is an ordained congregational vitality pastor who holds dual standing in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the United Church of Christ (UCC). A certified interfaith crisis and trauma chaplain, Carla is also a liturgy and content creator for multiple national faith-based organizations. A "Growing Young" certified trainer and member of the ELCA national Congregational Vitality Leadership Team, Carla has supported multiple congregations engaging in renewed ministry and increased community engagement through long-term "vision and action" residencies.

About Carla

Carla Christopher (she/her/hers) is a poet-activist, cultural competency trainer, and ordained congregational vitality pastor with dual standing in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the United Church of Christ (UCC). Carla was the 4th Poet Laureate of York, PA and has toured the globe as a performer, multiply published and award-winning author, public speaker, and workshop facilitator / trainer. She specializes in areas of community-based advocacy and activism, trauma-informed care and mindfulness, cultural competency and creative storytelling.

Carla currently serves as Assistant to the Bishop in Charge of Justice Ministries, Lower Susquehanna Synod (south central PA region) and on the pastoral teams for Heidelberg United Church of Christ in York, PA. She is adjunct faculty for the Stevenson School for Ministry, Lancaster Parish Resource Center, and United Lutheran Seminary Kindling Faith Institute and writes regularly for Disrupt Worship, Living Lutheran, ELCA World Hunger, Sparkhouse, Sundays and Seasons and others.

When not preaching and teaching, Carla is a commissioner on the Pennsylvania Commission for LGBTQ Affairs and the York City Human Relations Commission, moonlights with the poetry-funk fusion band, Groove Ink, and shamelessly spoils her dog, a Great Pyranees named Bishop Winnie Mandela Love Christopher.

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Testimonials

Sydney CH Benson, Esquire, Benson Legal Services

Challenging in love is what Carla Christopher does. She can confront someone with clear bias or racism in their heart with a compassion that overcomes, not only the individual holding bias, but those within the same space of the confrontation. Her words are carefully chosen and delicately delivered. Yes, she wants to change people views on racism and bias. More than that, she wants to create an atmosphere of unity and connectedness creating an unstoppable diverse team of compassion ninjas, loving people to change and preparing people for battle.

Christine Lincoln – 5th Poet Laureate of York, PA, Random House Author & O Magazine ‘Phenomenal Woman’

Poetry & Creative, Testimonials

Christine Lincoln – 5th Poet Laureate of York, PA, Random House Author & O Magazine ‘Phenomenal Woman’

Carla Christopher is a poetic tornado, a veritable force that has forever altered the landscape of poetry, spoken word, and the artistic community here in York, PA. Except , instead of devastation, in Carla’s wake minds are opened, spirits renewed, hope restored, passions are reignited. . . Carla rains down love; everyone who comes in contact is saturated to the bone.

Ladi Glori – Spoken Word Artist & Author of Ms. Understood, The Plight of a Poet

Poetry & Creative, Testimonials

Ladi Glori – Spoken Word Artist & Author of Ms. Understood, The Plight of a Poet

Carla is like Robin Hood except artists are the currency. It's amazing. There are so many artists in the "pockets" of communities that unknowingly claim them as part of their wealth, but never acknowledge them. Carla collects those artists, depositing them into a community that will not only appreciate and acknowledge them, but will use them to elevate positivity in an area.

Kenneth Vincent Walker, Poet

Carla, this is in response to your requests for testimonials. Whether you choose to use this or not, no gift is required. You friendship is enough. It is my honor and privilege to acknowledge that my association with Carla Christopher has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my life. She is a force of nature, diverse, multi-talented, compassionate, dedicated and driven. The list of superlatives and accolades regarding her seems endless. Carla's contribution and impact on the local community is immeasurable and priceless.

Jade Darling

Carla Christopher doesn't just preach her beliefs from the pulpit she lives her convictions. Putting pen to paper is only one avenue she excells at bring her convictions to people. She has shown so many the path to finding their voice. Whether their through art or their activism or through their faith. She has shown people a way to make a difference & to find value in themselves.

Pastor Tanya Brubaker

Carla has been inspiring me with her work since she was poet laureate for the City of York. She has been committed to being a voice for the marginalized through her work with many organizations. Carla revived Juneteenth celebrations in our community, educates organizations such as ELCA and non-profits locally and nationally. Persons from LGBTQIA+, black, Hispanic and other communities whose voices have long been silenced can find hope, encouragement and truth in Carla's writings.