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

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.

Mandy Rae, Member of Union Lutheran Church

Carla is the real deal. She's funny, authentic, and hits hard where and when you need it. A force to be reckoned with and a bright spot in anyone's day.

Dan Powers, Member of Heidelberg UCC

When Carla preaches, doors open. Not just doors, but interior doors, closet doors, basement doors. Whether it's spontaneous or planned, scriptural or poetry, perhaps both, it's an invitation to personally examine and evaluate where you and your soul stand. Sometimes I feel in congruence, while at other times, challenged. Each time, a journey. And, I feel safe. I feel safe that that path I am following Carla on with all of it's traps and triggers in the end, will find me in a place of decision and direction. Carla's preaching gives us a beautiful metaphorical compass. One that empowers each and everyone of us to decide what needs to be done, and how much. And yet, Carla applies proper urgency to the continuum, and we find ourselves motivated to make heaven on Earth, knowing that we shall return for more. Carla is good for the mind, body and soul.

Carol Clark-Williams, Poet Laureate Emeritus of York

Poetry & Creative, Testimonials

Carol Clark-Williams, Poet Laureate Emeritus of York

Poetry falls naturally from Carla's lips and flows from her pen to paper. She infuses language with power and beauty. Her poetry is spontaneous, open, evocative; her performances of poetry are joyous and charismatic. She has strongly promoted poetry, music and visual arts through every available method of communication in South Central PA, offering many opportunities for expression to novices and accomplished artists.

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.

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.