A Vision for Our New Normal: An Easter Invitation Webinar
What has this devastating pandemic revealed to us, as individuals, as Christians, and as citizens? How can we best examine our hopes and fears as part of our vision for a new normal? Is this a moment of social transformation? What is God inviting us toward and how do we move in that direction? Join us as we explore these questions and more with the Rev. Peg Chemberlin.
Participants will:
- reflect on the moment we are in and consider what transformations
this moment might allow; - clarify the hope to which God is calling us;
- consider imaginative ways of moving forward; and
- receive a touchstone view of components of social transformation.
Presenter: The Reverend Canon Peg Chemberlin
Chemberlin is a coach, speaker, author, and strategist at the intersection of faith and public life. She is the founder of Justice Connections Consultants LLC. She served as CEO of the Minnesota Council of Churches, as president of the National Council of Churches of Christ-USA, and on Obama’s first Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. She is the recipient of an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Moravian College and Seminary, the Bridge Builders Award from the Islamic Resource Group, and the Governor’s Award for Women of Distinction, among many others.
Resources | From Rev. Peg Chemberlin
Click here for a list of all sources and other resources discussed in “A Vision for Our New Normal.”
Other Webinars
Media Articles
- Washington Post
- Why Don’t We Know Who the Coronavirus Victims Are?
- Stop Blaming Black People for Dying of the Coronavirus
- U.S. Government is Urged to Release Race, Ethnicity Data on COVID-19 Cases
- 4 Reasons Coronavirus is Hitting Black Communities So Hard
- The Coronavirus is Infecting and Killing Black Americans at an Alarmingly High Rate
- Record Set for Single-Day COVID-19 Deaths in D.C., Maryland and Virginia at 53; Black Residents Hit Hardest
- ScienceNews
- NPR
- New Your Times
- Vox
- PEW
- SoJourners
COVID-19 Article Databases and Resources
Information and Research Sites about Public Life
- Congressional Budget Office
- Humphrey School of Public Affairs
- PRRI
- The Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania
Future
- Institute for the Future: Foresight Talks
- Post Pandemic Reset: What Can We Build for the Future?
- Remembering the Future: Cecily Sommers at TEDxTC (Video)
Church and Congregational Life
Moravian
- Moravian Covenant for Christian Living
- Faith Love Hope: The Moravian Doctrine of the Essentials, Ministerials and Incidentals (Video)
- The Western District Justice Coordinating Team: COVID-19 Statement
Theology
- Where does ‘here’ end and ‘there’ begin?: Peg Chemberlin at TEDxTC (Video)
- The Great Realisation (Video)
Broad Societal Trends
- Catastrophes Normally Bring Americans Together. Why not now?
- Positive Economic Views Plummet; Support for Government Aid Crosses Party Lines
Tech Companies
- Tech Giants Are Profiting -And Getting More Powerful-Even As The Global Economy Tanks
- Internet Access in North Carolina
- 11 Things That Soon Could Disappear Forever
Racism
- “Similar to Times of War”: The Staggering Toll of COVID-19 on Filipino Health Care Workers
- Thinking About Racial Disparities in COVID-19 Impacts Through a Science-Informed, Early Childhood Lens
- The Racial Impacts of COVID-19
Health Care
International
- Another Victim of COVID-19: Sustainable Development
- The Coronavirus’s Impact Throughout Africa
- Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Food Insecurity
- Food Lines a Mile Long in America’s Second-Wealthiest State
- The Instability of Global Supply Chains in a Pandemic
- The COVID-19 Crisis has Already Left Too Many Children Hungry in America
- COVID-19’s Next Course: Our Food System?
- Facts: Child Hunger in America (Feeding America)
Education
Economic Justice
- Normal Wasn’t Working: Economic Justice In A Post-COVID Reality
- White House Seeks to Cut Farmworker Wages, Ease Hiring Constraints
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) Economics
Immigration
Advocacy
Additional Resources | Mentioned During Webinar Discussion
Articles
- 25 Traits of The Beloved Community
- 11-Step Guide to Understanding Race, Racism, and White Privilege
- Social Justice is a Form of Worshipping God
- Social Justice is a Christian Tradition- Not a Liberal Agenda
Books
- The Very Good Gospel: How Everything Wrong Can Be Made Right | Lisa Sharon Harper
- Native: Identity, Belonging, and Rediscovering God | Kaitlin B. Curtice
- I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness | Austin Channing Brown
Other
The time for action is now, and we have no time to waste…let’s talk about allyship during a crisis (and beyond!)

Image posted with permission from @ohhappydani
- UNPACK & LEARN. Become aware of the most urgent needs and comb through as much information as possible. The more you know, the more helpful you’ll be.
- THINK LOCAL. Chances are, the orgs on the ground are more aware and knowledgeable of what’s high-priority. Before you act, listen and follow their lead so you can maximize your impact within your direct sphere of influence.
- TAKE ACTION. It’s time to pull-up! Assess your resources and take targeted, direct action that will lead to relief. Whether this means buying groceries for someone, donating computers to programs, or spreading the word about the cause – something must be done!
- REPEAT! The work continues, and you’re needed for the long-haul.”