The troubling rise of mental illness in our post-pandemic culture means that we may encounter people who are not equipped for community life. These include incidents that take place in our partnerships with outside groups as well as disruptions that occur within the Sunday service. This clergy day will include a two-part training by Alfonso Neal, Executive Co-Director, Pioneer Valley Workers Center on ways to verbally de-escalate conflict in our church spaces and common life.

Alfonso brings years of experience in building worker power. For over 15 years, Alfonso worked with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), training new organizers and supporting workers in starting new unions and winning contracts, as well as working with the Painters District Council 58, and Local 148 of the Operating Engineers and several union locals across the country. Alfonso led the Fight for $15 campaign from its epicenter in St. Louis, winning national recognition of fast food workers’ right to a living wage. Alfonso is also an Adjunct Professor of Latinx Studies at Holyoke Community College.