Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Grace and peace to you from Christ our Lord and Savior. The stressors that have been piling up on us during 2020 have been individually and cumulatively difficult for us all, no matter what side you are on with any of them. Some of them are new ones—Coronavirus and masks and others have been around for a long time--the racial divide in our country and world. This last one has hit me right between the eyes of my heart and soul. I grew up in an extremely racist family and went to schools that were racially diverse, but clearly divided.
My Mom was the lone influence, early in my life for equality and seeing people as fellow children of God regardless of the color of their skin. I have tried to live my life seeing people with equal value as children of God and not be racist in thought, word or deed and I have failed miserably and sometimes done okay. What has struck me between the eyes of my heart and soul is that just not being or trying to be a racist is not enough I have to actively work to take down the racist structures and speak against, in love with law and gospel, those who in their words and deeds are racist. This is a problem that we white people must solve.
As your called faith leader, I will advocate for us to take a clear stand as a congregation on this issue and I will personally as well. Therefore, I am thrilled that church council at their meeting 7.20.2020 took the following actions: 1-to sign the Anti-racism pledge of the ELCA (attachment 1), and 2-affirm the Social Policy Resolution of the ELCA—Condemnation of White Supremacy and Racist Rhetoric (attachment 2). Both of these fit with our stated goals of this year and particularly our goal for Societal Engagement (attachment 3). These actions by the council send a clear message and I am glad for their leadership on these matters.
As I said to the council, I understand that racism can be a hard topic for us to get our heads and hearts around. I am willing to listen, talk, reflect and pray with anyone who would want to do so privately.
Shalom with Love
PB
Attachment 1
ELCA Anti-Racism Pledge
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (Colossians 3:17).
In 2019, at the ELCA Churchwide Assembly, voting members adopted a resolution. As church we are called to confess the sin of racism, condemn the ideology of white supremacy, and strive for racial justice and peace. Beyond statements and prayers, we are called to also act and respond to injustices. We invite you to commit to one or more of the actions below:
“I commit to study, prayer and action to become an anti-racist individual in an anti-racist church,” and share your participation on social media using #ELCA4justice.
Work to dismantle racial injustice by listening.
Learn the history of systemic racism in this country and the ways racism and white supremacy impact every aspect of our life together.
Join, support or attend your synod’s anti-racism team or work with your synod leadership to start one in your congregation.
Explore and use on “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday the forthcoming ELCA Advocacy resources on a “Just Society Supporting the Health of All,” which are focused on advancing racially equitable public policies, and by engaging in ELCA votes.
Start where you are by joining community organizations working for racial justice.
Reach out to build or deepen relationships.
Explore and use the anti-racism resources of our ecumenical partners through the A.C.T. Now to End Racism initiative of the National Council of Churches.
ATTACHMENT 2
ATTACHMENT 3
