SVPC is a safe place for thoughtful conversations about important issues, such as gun violence, the conflict in Korea, immigration issues, the refugee crisis, recovery from natural disaster, racism, and the water situation in Flint, MI. Most Community Conversations include a documentary film screen followed by discussion and Q&A with experts and local authorities.
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PREVIOUS COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS
A CONVERSATION WITH REGGIE WILLIAMS ON BONHOEFFER’S BLACK JESUS
January 17, 2019
If you missed this Community Conversation, here is a video of the event.
Are we having a Bonhoeffer Moment?
Many American Christians look to Dietrich Bonhoeffer for wisdom on how to apply our faith convictions to our lives outside of the church—especially to civic and political engagement. In his latest book, Bonhoeffer’s Black Jesus: Harlem Renaissance Theology and an Ethic of Resistance, author Reggie Williams describes how Bonhoeffer briefly lived and studied in New York, where he learned in Harlem’s churches about a black Jesus who stands with the oppressed. Not long after that, Bonhoeffer returned to his homeland to publicly confront Nazism and anti-Semitic racism in Hitler’s Germany.
Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church and Emmanuel Baptist Church invite you to join us for an evening of conversation about the life and legacy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and to learn how we can live out his faithfulness in our world today.
Dr. Reggie Williams, Associate Professor of Christian Ethics at McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago is a scholar whose research and writing offers insights into Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s life, and helps us recognize similarities in today’s political landscape.
IMMIGRATION ISSUES
September 17, 2018
Locked in a Box—This award-winning documentary film follows stories of individuals held in the U.S. Immigration detention system and those who visit them.
- Film screening
- Discussion
- View film trailer
STORYTELLING & DISASTER RELIEF
May 24, 2018
- KEPULIHAN: When the Waters Recede—Documentary film screening
- Speakers: David Barnhart, filmmaker, Rev. Joey Lee, Executive Presbyter
A CONVERSATION ON GUN VIOLENCE
April 30, 2018
- TRIGGER: The Ripple Effect of Gun Violence—Documentary film screening
- Speakers: U.S. Congressman Ro Khanna, Chief Phan S. Ngo, Sunnyvale Public Safety, Rev. Erik Swanson, PACT member, Shubhra Dubey, student leader/activist
- Community Conversation on Gun Violence: Sunnyvale City Manager's Updates Posted
PERSPECTIVES ON THE CONFLICT IN KOREA
January 10, 2018
- Memory of Forgotten War—Documentary film screening
- Speakers: Deann Borshay Liem, Filmmaker, Dr. Christine Hong and Mr. Paul Liem, Korea Policy Institute leaders, Rev. Kurt Esslinger and Hyeyoung Lee, PC(USA) mission co-workers