Ministry

Carla is an ordained redevelopment/congregational vitality pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) offering progressive, BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ celebrating perspectives on theology that are both Biblical and compassionate. Visit her YouTube for the most recent sermons and recorded presentations!

Please join me at ReleaseFaith.org to be part of the digital ministry that reflects the heart of my work. Release Faith is a collective of justice-centered faith leaders and ministries that live in the world, beyond the boundaries and borders of buildings. We are followers of the Way of Jesus. We are focused on equity and full inclusion for all God’s people, especially in areas of activism, spiritual care and support, faith formation and education, and community building. We are LGBTQIA2S+ affirming. We are BIPOC centering. We are immigrant welcoming. We are people with disabilities inclusive. We radically uplift of the priesthood of all believers. We are creative and forward-thinking, actively embracing growth and change to better accompany and uplift God’s people.

My calling as Assistant to the Bishop in Charge of Justice Ministries for Lower Susquehanna Synod (Central Pennsylvania region), ELCA involves coordinating education and training, awareness raising, worship support, and congregational consultation around our current pillars of racial justice, LGBTQIA+ affirmation, welcoming immigrants, disability inclusion and support, and housing equity. Our Healing Justice Fund is an all-inclusive and minimal gatekeeping grant program based on the ideal of reparations. Resources and task force activities and support opportunities are available on our website at https://www.lss-elca.org/about-us/justice-ministries.

I am honored to serve as part-time senior pastor of Heidelberg United Church of Christ located in downtown York, Pennsylvania and online at heidelberguccyork.com. Heidelberg is an open and affirming community that takes great joy in describing itself as “a place to encounter the Sacred, to explore your passion for social justice and spirituality, and to create community with others who follow the way of Jesus Christ. We are theologically progressive, welcoming to all, and committed to vital ministry in the city. No matter who you are, or where you are on life’s journey, for an hour, or a lifetime, you are welcome here.”

Disrupt Worship Project (https://www.disruptworshipproject.com) is a powerful collection of liturgies, prayers, and worship resources written from a justice and liberation theology perspective. I am part of a leadership team that stretches across the country and across denominations, ethnicities, genders, and sexual orientations to offer Biblical commentary and liturgy from the perspective of those on the margins, the ones Jesus spent the most time with while on earth! https://www.disruptworshipproject.com/

Prayer Request

I pray daily and always include the special cares and concerns of my friends and neighbors. How may I pray for you today? All concerns are kept strictly confidential.

Movement

A few examples of forums and worship experiences I have produced or participated in centering Issues of Justice, liberation, and our call to action as people of faith. For more visit me on YouTube!

Meditation

Messages centering self-care, spiritual healing and wholeness, and physically embodied faith I have produced or participated in. Many center around trauma informed care and mindfulness and feature the voices of dear friends and colleagues in ministry. For more, visit my YouTube!

Message

Gospel inspired sermons that bring the Bible into contemporary life with words of inspiration, challenge, and adventure. For more, visit my YouTube!

Testimonials

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.

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.

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.

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.