Carla is an award-winning author, public speaker, and workshop facilitator / trainer in areas of advocacy and activism, community engagement, survivor empowerment, diversity, and cultural competency.

Ministry

Carla is an ordained redevelopment/congregational vitality pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

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PREORDER Slave Catechism

Available now for preorder, (signed copies ship October 1, 2020) BLACK CATECHISM is a new collection of poetry from Carla Christopher from Local Gems Press, Long Island, NY.

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Poetry & Creative

Carla was the 4th Poet Laureate of York, PA and has toured the globe as a performer.

Cultural Competency

Carla is an award-winning author, public speaker, and workshop facilitator / trainer in areas of advocacy and activism, community engagement, survivor empowerment, diversity, and cultural competency.

Ministry

Carla is an ordained redevelopment/congregational vitality pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

About Carla

Carla Christopher (she/her/hers) is a poet-activist, cultural competency trainer, and ordained redevelopment/congregational vitality pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) – one of the first out LGBTQ Black women ordained in her denomination. 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 in areas of creative writing and storytelling, advocacy and activism, community engagement, survivor empowerment, diversity, and cultural competency.

Carla currently serves as Associate Pastor of Outreach and Faith Formation at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Lancaster and co-chair of the Toward Racial Justice Task Force of Lower Susquehanna Synod. She is a congregational coach with L.S.S.’s Transformational Ministries Team and blogs regularly for Disrupt Worship, Reconciling Works, Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries and others.

When not preaching and teaching, Carla co-facilitates a peer-support group for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, moonlights with the poetry-funk fusion band, Groove Ink, and shamelessly spoils her spoiled Great Pyranees dog and beloved goldfish.

Blog

“A Deeper Love”; A Pride Devotional

I love Aretha Franklin and I loved writing this Pride Month devotional for the LGBTQIA+ Lutheran organization, Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries. The original post can be

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Testimonials

Dan Powers, Member of Heidelberd 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.

TJ Gagliardi – Author of Processing and Owner/Director of TJG Audio Books

Poetry & Creative, Testimonials

TJ Gagliardi – Author of Processing and Owner/Director of TJG Audio Books

Carla is dynamic in her approach to both poetry and its advancement. She is able to reach artists in all genres, blending styles both popular and traditional to reach a diverse audience. Miss Christopher’s poetry is intuitive. Finding common ground with readers and possessing a kinetic, emotive vibrancy that transcends race, gender and age. One […]

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.

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.

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.

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.