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 as a renewal pastor. She also writes regularly for Disrupt Worship, ELCA World Hunger, Sparkhouse, 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, rabbit, and beloved goldfish.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.