Table Talk: Gathering to Heal the Divide
October 1, 2025 - 6-9 PM
Clairmont Presbyterian Church
1994 Clairmont Rd
Decatur, GA 30033
Description:
The Racial Healing Committee in collaboration with Central Presbyterian Church and Clairmont Presbyterian Church invite you to Table Talk: Gathering to Heal the Divide.
We live in challenging, complicated, and contentious times. As Christians, we are called to unity and our witness is stronger when we speak with one voice. Yet it is hard to be faithful as a Church amid so much confusion and division about race, gender, sexuality, immigration, Christian nationalism, and other matters. This event invites people of faith to talk together about our most pressing issues with the goals of mutual understanding and clarity rather than judgment and conformity. Join us for dinner, a roundtable panel discussion, and hopeful conversation.
Panelists & Bios:
John Blake is the author of his most recent book More Than I Imagined: What a Black Man Discovered About the White Mother He Never Knew. From Amazon: He is an award-winning CNN journalist. and has been honored by the Associated Press, the Society of Professional Journalists, the American Academy of Religion, the National Association of Black Journalists, and the Religion Communicators Council. He has spoken at high schools, colleges, and symposiums, and in documentaries on race, religion, and politics. Blake is a native of Baltimore, Maryland and currently worships at Central Presbyterian Church.
Rev. Shannon Johnson Kershner is the pastor of Central Presbyterian Church in downtown Atlanta. Rev. Kershner has been at Central for two years, having come from the Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago, IL. She is a graduate of Columbia Theological Seminary (1999) and serves in leadership on the Board of Trustees for Princeton Theological Seminary.
Rev. Megan Johnson is in her fourth year as Pastor and Head of Staff at Clairmont Presbyterian Church where the congregation is celebrating the completion of a major building renovation and are honored to host this event in their newly renewed space. Megan is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry in Creative Writing and Public Theology at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary where she is exploring how faith takes root in story, community, and everyday grace. Married to Eric for over 27 years, they just became in-laws in September with the marriage of their oldest of three sons and are delighted to welcome a daughter into the family! Theo and Wynnie, two "doodles" demand mention as well!
William Yoo is Associate Professor of American Religious and Cultural History at Columbia Theological Seminary and the author of several books about race, religion, and politics in U.S. history. His most recent book is Reckoning with History: Settler Colonialism, Slavery, and the Making of American Christianity.
Register by September 24, 2025.