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 and LGBTQ equity, restorative justice mediation, diversity, and cultural competency.

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Ministry

Carla is an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and a certified interfaith trauma and crisis chaplain. She specializes in redevelopment and congregational vitality as both a pastor and a congregational consultant.

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Poetry & Creative

A self-proclaimed "artist-activist" Carla was the 4th Poet Laureate of York, PA and has toured the globe as a performer and workshop leader. Carla's lyrical and evocative imagery frequently lifts up the stories and voices behind social issues too frequently dehumanized. From written or performance poetry to her funk fusion band, Groove Ink, Carla's original and commissioned work delight and inspire!

Cultural Competency

Carla is an award-winning curriculum designer, trainer, dialogue facilitator, and public speaker in areas of Racial Justice, LGBTQ equity, cultural competence, and community-based advocacy. She partners with nonprofits and corporations on customized trainings, equity audits, restorative justice mediation, and inclusion-based strategic planning and her curriculums are in use across the country.

Ministry

Carla is an ordained redevelopment and congregational vitality pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and a certified interfaith crisis and trauma chaplain. She is a liturgy and content creator for national faith-based organizations, a frequent preacher and trainer on areas of faith and justice, and has shepherded multiple congregations into new ministry through long-term residencies.

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, 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 Heidelberg United Church of Christ in York, PA. She is adjunct faculty for the Stevenson School for Ministry 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

Pastor Pam Illick, Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church

I am happy and honored to tell you about my colleague, Carla Christopher. Her work in diversity training is so Christ centered. She is firm in her convictions and always speaks the truth with kindness and respect. I appreciate Carla’s wisdom and her approach to the scriptures. As a person learning how to be an ally for my siblings of color and those in the LGBTQIA+ community, Carla’s coaching and teaching encourages me to be a better listener and to see Christ in all people. I feel safe sharing my feelings and thoughts with Carla because I know that she is listening and that she will speak the truth to me in ways that help me to let go of the negative systemic messages I have been conditioned to believe are true. Her writing speaks a reality that touches my heart and moves me to become a better, more open person.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.