At the 2024 Synod Assembly, we will begin a new relationship with David Scherer and Joe Davis (a native of western North Dakota) and their JUSTmove ministry. This Pre-Assembly Workshop with David and Joe will include worship, music, poetry, dialogue, and storytelling all designed to deepen conversations of the “differences that make a difference” and how the Gospel compels us to “work for justice and peace in the world” as it says in our baptismal vows. The methodology of JUSTmove is grace-based (without guilt, blame, and shame). This workshop seeks to meet people right where they are with gracious invitations to go deeper.

JUSTmove (Joe Davis and David Scherer) are artists and educators with over 30 years of shared experience in helping individuals & organizations create a more just and equitable world. Both are national performing artists, Qualified Administrators of the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI), Restorative Justice practitioners, and co-creators of JUSTmove: Bridge-Building Education through the Arts. Their work combines music, poetry, and storytelling to create a brave space to explore important conversations about cultural differences. For more about JUSTmove, go to www.JUSTmoveculture.com.

Our synod’s relationship with JUSTmove is funded in part through grants from the WND Synod Ministry Endowment Fund and Mission Endowment Fund.

Joe Davis is a nationally-touring artist, educator, and speaker based in Minneapolis, MN. He grew up in Minot, ND. He employs poetry, music, theater, and dance to shape culture. He is the co-creator of JUSTmove, racial justice education through the arts and has keynoted, facilitated conversation, and served as teaching artist at hundreds of high schools and universities including programs throughout the country including New York, Boston, and most recently as the Artist-in-Residence at Luther Seminary where he earned a Masters in Theology of the Arts.

David Scherer is an educator, trainer, and performer who has helped facilitate healing justice for individuals and organizations for the past 20+ years. A Qualified Administrator in the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) and a trained facilitator for the Kaleidoscope Institute, David brings a grace-based approach to intercultural development and anti-racism that avoids guilt, blame, and shame. David is a winner of the Tommy Award for excellence in Youth Ministry and is the co-founder of the Twin Cities IDI Community of Practice and “JUSTmove: Antiracism through the Arts”. His work has appeared at numerous national and regional gatherings as well as being featured in an ABC documentary.