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 COMING SOON for 'Slave Catechism'

SLAVE CATECHISM is a new collection of poetry from Carla Christopher uplifting the complicated relationship between Christianity and slavery and features voices from the underground railroad to the Black Lives Matter movement.

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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. She specializes in areas of creative writing and storytelling, community-based advocacy and activism, survivor empowerment, trauma-informed care and mindfulness, diversity, and cultural competency.

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 the digital ministry, Release Faith, and Heidelberg United Church of Christ in York, PA. She also writes regularly for Disrupt Worship, ELCA World Hunger, Sparkhouse, Sundays and Seasons, Faith@Home, 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 dogs.

Blog

Trauma-Informed Summer Programming for Youth Ministry

A tale of two confirmation camps, both planned and executed with the best of intentions. One group of caring youth leaders used a sensitive and

Contact Me

Have a question, comment, want to work together, or want to book me? Use the form to get in touch!

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Testimonials

Daina Savage – Former Poet Laureate of Lancaster County and Curator of the Theatre of the Seventh Sister Spoken Word Festival

Poetry & Creative, Testimonials

Daina Savage – Former Poet Laureate of Lancaster County and Curator of the Theatre of the Seventh Sister Spoken Word Festival

Carla is a mesmerizing performer, an inspired organizer, and a galvanizing force for poetry in the region. She invites every voice to the table in such a supportive, magnanimous way that it is impossible to resist.

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.

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.

Helen Knapp, York Area Poet & Elementary School Teacher

Cultural Competency, Poetry & Creative, Testimonials

Helen Knapp, York Area Poet & Elementary School Teacher

I just love the way Carla connects with people. Some people speak, some people lecture...Carla 'communicates'. There is a passion, a concern, an interest and a fascination in her every conversation. Whether it's mentoring children and young adults, talking openly with a class of college students or a reporter or performing on stage before a handful or a hundred - Carla has the same energy, enthusiasm and total engagement.

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.

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.