Lived Theology Interviews
Introduction: The "lived theology interviews" initiative is rooted in a desire to create more space for the voices of community builders in hopes of better understanding how their faith informs and motivates them in the specific work they do, whether it be with child advocacy, community development, affordable housing, or a variety of other social justice issues. As with Spring Break narratives posted in the Theology in Action section, it should be noted that the Project on Lived Theology is interested in a wide range of theological perspectives on social justice and public responsibility, but it does not necessarily promote or endorse any of those presented in the Theology in Action narratives or interviews. The Project seeks to encourage open conversation on the theological sources of social hope and beloved community.
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Interview with Tonya Howard, Tutoring Coordinator at Charlottesville Abundant Life Ministries
Bekah Menning, Assistant to the Project on Lived Theology, interviewed Tonya Howard, the Tutoring Coordinator at Charlottesville Abundant Life Ministries (CALM). CALM, a Christian based community center, was started in 1995 and provides holistic programming for children and adults in the Prospect Heights neighborhood of Charlottesville, Virginia, which is made up mostly of low-income, single parent (female) headed households.
Read the full Tonya Howard interview transcript.
Interview with Rhonda Miska of Church of the Incarnation, Charlottesville, Virginia
Rhonda Miska is the Social Justice Minister and Hispanic Minister at Church of the Incarnation Roman Catholic Church in Charlottesville, Virginia. Previous to her work at Incarnation, Rhonda was a Jesuit Volunteer Corps member in Nicaragua. PLT’s Project Assistant, Bekah Menning, interviewed Rhonda on August 24th, 2005.
Read the full Rhonda Miska interview transcript.
Interview with Christa Pierpont Lightburn, Founder of the Restorative Community Foundation
Bekah Menning, Assistant to the Project on Lived Theology, interviewed Christa Pierpont Lightburn in October of 2005. The Restorative Community Foundation, which seeks to further the goals and practices of the Restorative Justice movement in the context of the Charlottesville area, started out as a workgroup in 2002, and was formally established early in 2005. The following quote appears on the Foundation's website and sums up the results it hopes to achieve: “Restorative practices offer new opportunities for governments and communities to address the needs of those affected by crime, while also generating opportunities for positive changes throughout society.” -Lynette Parker, to the 11th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, April 2005.
Read the full interview with Christa Pierpont Lightburn.