Dismantling Racism
Racial Justice Team
The leadership of Peace Lutheran Church condemns the racism and inequity woven into our justice and economic systems, indeed our whole society. We believe Black lives matter and we believe saying that statement without action is hollow. The question is before us all: what will we do now?
The Holy Spirit is inviting us to look closer and see how each of us can be part of dismantling racism and white supremacy personally as well as in our institutions and governments, including the church.
We invite you to be part of our church’s anti-racism work. If you would like to be part of our racial justice team, please email Info@sharingpeace.org.
For more information, you can read the Church Council’s June 5, 2020 statement on racial justice. And for more ideas on taking action, explore the links listed below.
Racial Justice Team Timeline
-
Summer 2016: Book study of “The Trouble I’ve Seen” by Drew Hart, led by Pastor Sarah
-
Starting Fall 2019: Troubling the Waters study group
-
Summer 2020: Book study of “I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness” by Austin Channing Brown, led by Pastor Sarah
-
June 5, 2020: Church Council’s statement on racial justice
-
September 3, 2020: First official Racial Justice Team meeting
-
October, 2020: Pre-election information about registering to vote, making a plan to vote, and other helpful resources for voters
-
MLK Day 2021: Conversation Among Neighbors: Talking about Racism and Racial Trauma with Dr. Carlton Green
-
February, 2021: Sent email to the people who attended Conversation Among Neighbors with resources from Dr. Green related to race, racial trauma, racism, and Whiteness (suggested readings, references, and podcasts)
-
June-August, 2021: Book Study of My Grandmother’s Hands by Resmaa Menakem
-
November, 2021: Indigenous People’s Celebration Liturgy and discussion of the ELCA’s Declaration to American Indian and Alaska Native People. Click Here to view the bulletin.
-
December, 2021: Shannon and the synod racial equity team complete the Commemorations calendar
-
MLK Day, 2022: Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. email that included a prayer written by Rev. Dr. King and other resources and opportunities commemorating Rev. Dr. King
-
February, 2022: Webinar discussion of what it means for the church to proclaim that Black Lives Matter
-
May, 2022: Racial Justice Team Fellowship Hour, including a celebration of the mural and a lament for gun violence