2025-2026 Training Series

Image used with permission from the Clergy Community Coalition

A four-part series to equip the people of Pasadena and the greater LA region for courageous nonviolent responses to the current and ongoing events in our community and world. Themes and training times are listed below (light continental breakfast and lunch included):

October 4th, 9-3 p.m.: Faith-based Non-cooperation

Facilitated by Nick Martin with Mennonite Action and the “To Build Our Courage” Tour

• Creating our Story of Self as Peacemakers and Activists
• Non-cooperation and Anti-authoritarianism
• Nonviolent Direct Action

November 8th, 9-1 p.m.: Restorative Justice 101

Facilitated by Kimberly Medendorp with Pasadena Mennonite Church

• Principles of Restorative Justice
• Conflict Styles and Collaboration
• Creating Responses to Current Affairs

December 13th, 9-1 p.m.: Creative Nonviolent Resistance and Bystander Training

December 13th, 9-1 p.m.: Cultivating Creative Nonviolent Resistance in Spirit and Practice

Facilitators: 

The Rev. Dr. Francisco García, Campaign Director at Bargaining for the Common Good and Co-Chair for Sacred Resistance

The Rev. Jaime Edwards-Acton, Rector at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Hollywood and Co-Chair for Sacred Resistance

Join the co-founders of Sacred Resistance–a solidarity, accompaniment, and justice-based ministry rooted in the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles and also connected with the broader community, interfaith, and labor movements in Southern California–as they offer a workshop on the spiritual/philosophical foundations and the practical applications of nonviolent organizing and resistance for our current moment. We will engage in this workshop bilingually in Spanish and English in collaboration with the Pasadena Job Center focusing in particular on various scenarios related to the attacks on our immigrant neighbors, as we continue building bridges across various communities in Pasadena and the surrounding region. Be prepared to engage in a process of reflection, participation, and skill-building rooted in faith, care, solidarity, and action!

Sábado, 13 de diciembre, 9:00-13:00: Cultivando la Resistencia No Violenta Creativa en Espíritu y Práctica. 

Facilitadores: 

El Rev. Dr. Francisco García, Director de Campaña de Bargaining for the Common Good y Copresidente de Resistencia Sagrada 

El Rev. Jaime Edwards-Acton, Rector de la Iglesia Episcopal de San Esteban en Hollywood y Copresidente de Resistencia Sagrada

Únase a los cofundadores de Resistencia Sagrada, un ministerio de solidaridad, justicia, y acompañamiento con raíces en la Diócesis Episcopal de Los Ángeles y también conectado con los movimientos comunitarios, laborales, e interreligiosos del sur de California, mientras ofrecen un taller sobre los fundamentos espirituales/filosóficos y las aplicaciones prácticas de la organización y la resistencia no violentas para nuestro momento actual. Participaremos en este taller bilingüe (español e inglés) en colaboración con el Centro de Empleo de Pasadena, centrándonos especialmente en diversos escenarios relacionados con los ataques contra nuestros vecinos inmigrantes, mientras continuamos construyendo puentes entre las distintas comunidades de Pasadena y la región local. ¡Prepárense para un proceso de reflexión, participación y desarrollo de habilidades basado en la fe, el cuidado, la solidaridad y la acción!

January 10th, 9-1 p.m. De-escalation and Nonviolence

Facilitated by Rob Muthiah with Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE)

Description coming soon

More about the Practical Peacemaking training series:

Pasadena Mennonite Church, in partnership with the Center for Restorative Justice, Mennonite Action,  Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice, All Saints Church, the Clergy Community Coalition, and other community activist organizations and local churches will be hosting a training series in the fall and winter of 2025-26 to deepen our collective skills in nonviolent action and peacemaking. 

In these times of growing authoritarianism, evidenced in the ongoing abductions of our neighbors by ICE, we are called to active peacemaking and resistance, as Jesus modeled, rather than passive acceptance of the status quo as “God’s will.” Jesus grew a revolutionary, nonviolent movement of good news for the downtrodden under Roman occupation. He faced the powers of his time with radical love, rooted in restorative justice and resurrection power. The cross and tomb could not bury God’s movement of beloved community across borders, race, religion, and gender. 

We perceive an opportunity now to grow as Pasadena activist and faith communities in relationship with our neighbors, and to stand in courage and solidarity to face the powers together. Whether or not participants and partners share the same core faith tenets or commitments to nonviolence, we want to offer space for practical training, deepening relationships and neighbor love, and strategic movement-building that responds to this moment in our communities and country.

Participants are encouraged sign up for the trainings in a cohort model wherein participants can join all four sessions to build community together. You can also choose to just join one. Standard cost is $100 to attend all 4 trainings to cover food and materials. Individual trainings will be $30 each. (Scholarships of up to 90% are available. Please see the registration form.) A light continental breakfast will be provided, along with an included lunch after each training. Registration will be limited to 75 participants per training (space is still available!)

Sponsors: