Faith and Race Check-In
Advent, along with many other churches, has increased the amount of focus we are giving to issues and events tied to faith and race. We have partnered with a research firm that has designed a (free) survey to help us understand which areas the congregation would most like to see Advent concentrating on. The survey is short and will take less than 10 minutes of your time. Your participation will make sure that the programs we design reflect your areas of concern and interest.
Summarizing our ELCA Social Statement on Race
As Lutherans pondering our role in attaining racial justice, we can find our mission in the ELCA social statement entitled “Freed in Christ: Race, Ethnicity, and Culture.” A full reading of the 8-page document reveals the word “time” repeatedly. We might conclude that it’s about time we address racial justice! A brief summary follows:
The statement instructs that first we must face God and recognize how scripture supports our oneness. We must enter into a time of confession and a time of commitment. We must recognize this spiritual crisis in all its social, economic, and political dimensions.
From there, the statement moves to facing obstacles. It is a time to confront the sin of racism. We are still in the process of realizing the complexity of the sin, which pervades the entire social system. We must acknowledge that white people have benefited socially, economically, and politically from their privileged position. It is a time to be the church, living our connectedness with each other. We expect our ELCA leadership to guide us in our repentance and to direct us toward meaningful change.
Lastly, the statement speaks of doing justice. Talk, talk, talk is good, but not good enough. It is a time for public leadership, public witness, and public deliberation. We are not to be the faint of heart. The ELCA vows to support legislation that guarantees civil rights for all and grants access to quality education, health care, housing, and employment opportunities. A tall order, but essential!
In conclusion, you may be surprised to learn that this social statement was adopted in 1993, though it resonates as if written in recent months. Most would agree that some progress in addressing racism has been made in these 27 years, but we know there is still a lot of hard work to be done. With the heinous death of George Floyd, the eyes of many holdouts to change have been opened, and compassion has poured forth. Let us capitalize on the momentum and be the legs of the ELCA, helping to accomplish a mission it lifted up a long time ago!
Charlotte faith leaders demand CMPD reform
click here to read the article
Spiritual Director of Advent, Carol Schierlmann attended the Faith Leaders gathering.
INTERRUPTING SILENCE
by Walter Brueggemann
Adult Sunday School via Zoom
July 26th - September 20th
11:00am
Silence is a complex matter. It can refer to awe before unutterable holiness, but it can also refer to the coercion where some voices are silenced in the interest of control by the dominant voices. It is the latter silence that Walter Brueggemann explores, urging us to speak up in situations of injustice.
Interrupting Silence illustrates that the Bible is filled with stories where marginalized people break repressive silence and speak against it. Examining how maintaining silence allows the powerful to keep control, Brueggemann motivates readers to consider situations in their lives where they need to either interrupt silence or be part of the problem, convincing us that God is active and wanting us to act for justice.
For a link to the Adult Sunday School Zoom meeting please login at Member Login, and then go to the Members Dashboard webpage.
From Advent's Micah 6:8 Group:What is our call as Lutherans
to engage in the political process and
exercise our responsibility to
VOTE?
- Government OF the people has come to be seen as distant and oppressive.
- Government BY the people has come to be seen as increasingly controlled by a small minority of elites.
- Government FOR the people has come to be seen as unjust in who benefits and who pays.
- You Can Vote https://www.youcanvote.org/ Is non partisan website that uses simple, evidenced-based methods to help people become civically engaged.
- Form for requesting mail in absentee ballot: https://s3.amazonaws.com/dl.ncsbe.gov/Forms/NCAbsenteeBallotRequestForm.pdf.
- League of Women Voters: https://www.lwv.org/local-leagues/lwv-charlotte-mecklenburg. For 100 years, they have been a nonpartisan, activist, grassroots organization that believes voters should play a critical role in democracy.
- Ballotpedia: https://ballotpedia.org/North_Carolina_elections,_2020. This page is an overview of the 2020 North Carolina elections, including your sample ballot, the offices on the ballot covered by Ballotpedia, featured elections, election dates, and frequently asked questions.
NC ELCA RACIAL JUSTICE NETWORK
- We'll be able to get curated content and conversations that start with listening, are filled with grace, stretch us to be uncomfortable, and help us to be more like Jesus in this world.
- We will meet people who share our interests who live near us, who care about the same topics, who share your faith and commitment to be anti-racist.
- We will make better, more well-informed decisions about the things that are most important to you and how you speak in your church, on social media, and even in our own homes.
- We will swap stories, experiences, and ideas (not necessarily advice) around our shared mission for becoming anti-racist.
- We will find a little inspiration, thought-provoking conversations, and expert perspective each and every day.
Beyond statements and prayers, we are called to also act and respond to injustices.
We invite you to sign the pledge,
"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.
Other Resources
- Advent Lutheran Church
- 8840 University City Blvd.
- Charlotte, North Carolina 28213
- Email Us
- 704-549-1555