D&J Spotlight
Welcome to this new section of our website dedicated to Diversity and Justice.
Racial Justice
Upcoming Engagement in Racial Justice ministries:
Recent Actions and Commemorations
On Tuesday, July 21, Bishop Strickland was joined by the Rev. Robert Lee for "Reckoning with Racism and the Heritage of the South: A conversation with Robert W. Lee on the call to preach, teach, and confront racism.”
- Click here to learn more about Rev. Robert Lee on our Events page
- Click here to purchase Rev. Lee's book, "A Sin by Any Other Name"
Recording from the post-movie discussion on 7/19/2020
On Sunday, July 19, we gathered to view the movie Just Mercy and discuss our reactions to the movie, as well as discuss past and current events regarding racial justice.
Joining Bishop Kevin Strickland for the post-movie discussion was Dr. Elizabeth Bounds (Professor of Christian Ethics, Candler School of Theology) & Mr. Charles King ("Just Mercy" producer).
Letter: Bishop Strickland speaks out for the removal of the Confederate emblem of the Mississippi state flag (June 24, 2020)
The ELCA commemorates June 17 as a day of repentance and commemoration for the martyrdom of the Emanuel Nine. We also recognize June 19 as Juneteenth, the day that marked the effective end of slavery in the United States.
During the week of June 14-20, 2020, the Southeastern Synod of the ELCA and the African Descent Lutheran Association Southeastern Chapter have planned several activities to recognize these important moments in our communities and to work towards the Beloved Community.
On Wednesday, June 17, we especially invite you to consider taking part in the NINE ACTION STEPS that you (adults and children) can take to bring about the Beloved Community. This is in the form of a downloadable PDF for your convenience.
The actions of the week of June 14-20, 2020 are as follows:
(Scroll below the image for links for each date's events.)
Sunday, June 14th
9:30 am EDT: Pastor Ron Bonner will lead a conversation around his book: “No Bigotry Allowed”. Please join Pastor Bonner and others using the Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83963424995
2:00 pm EDT: Join us for a Watch Party for the award-winning documentary “Emanuel” on race, faith, and forgiveness. (Look at our special note below if you wish to watch the movie on your own, then join us at 3:45pm EDT)
3:45 pm EDT: Breakout sessions to foster dialogue around the core themes of “Emanuel.”
YOU MUST REGISTER HERE FOR THE EMANUEL DOCUMENTARY VIEWING AND DISCUSSION!!!
Special Note for viewing the documentary: You may view the documentary before Sunday, June 14th via Amazon Prime (FREE), STARZ (FREE), HULU (Membership), Google Play Movies & TV ($3.99), YouTube ($3.99).
Tuesday, June 16th
10:00 am EDT: Children’s Time with Bishop Strickland via Facebook Live with prayer and reading to the children. Bishop Strickland will be reading "Teach Your Dragon about Diversity" by Steve Herman. CLICK HERE FOR SYNOD FACEBOOK LINK.
Wednesday, June 17th
“Commemoration Day of the Emanuel Nine”
9:00am EDT: Bishop Strickland will do a Morning Facebook Prayer and Sharing of 9 Ways that people of all ages can act to build a beloved community and combat racism. CLICK HERE FOR SYNOD FACEBOOK LINK.
12:00pm EDT: The ELCA Prayer Service for Commemoration of the Emanuel Nine will be available for online viewing on this day, the fifth anniversary of the evening nine people were shot and killed during a Bible study at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C. The service will include leaders from around the ELCA and ecumenical partners, as well as a sermon by Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton. We join in a time of repentance, mourning and prayer as we remember these nine martyrs and renounce the sins of racism and white supremacy. The service can be viewed at ELCA.org/EmanuelNine.
Ideas you engage in to commemorate this day:
- Have your church ring nine bells in memory of the nine who were killed
- Take nine minutes of silence to remember the nine who were killed
- NINE ACTION STEPS for adults and children
7:00pm EDT: Southeastern Synod Facebook Live There will be a synod wide live worship service at 7:00 pm EST. CLICK HERE FOR SYNOD FACEBOOK LINK.
Thursday, June 18th
10:00 am EDT: Children’s Time with Bishop Strickland via Facebook Live with prayer and reading to the children. Bishop Strickland will be reading "I Can Do Hard Things: Mindful Affirmations for Kids" by Gabi Garcia. CLICK HERE FOR SYNOD FACEBOOK LINK.
Friday, June 19th - JUNETEENTH
Information about the history of Juneteenth and worship service from the ELCA resources.
ELCA WORSHIP RESOURCE: Juneteenth Oberservance
INFORMATION ON HISTORY of Juneteenth: A Resource from History.com
Saturday, June 20th @ 3pm EDT
African Descent Lutheran Association (ADLA) - Southeastern Chapter presents “The Musical Heritage of the African Diaspora.” Come celebrate with us as we travel from the Mother Land to the Americas! You don’t want to miss this celebration!
To watch this musical event, join us on the ADLA - Southeastern Chapter Facebook page here.
or, click this YouTube link:
The video will not begin until 3pm EDT
Resources for Racial Justice work
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Click here for our flyer dedicated to Racial Justice
- This flyer contains MANY helpful links to Books, Lectures, Actions, Organizations and MORE.
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Click here to sign ELCA's Anti-Racism Pledge
HELPFUL RESOURCES from the ELCA for conversations on Racial Justice:
- Declaration to People of African Descent
- Hearing the Cries: Faith and Criminal Justice
- Troubling the Waters for Healing of the Church: A Journey for White Christians from Privilege to Partnership
- Establishing June 17th As Emanuel 9 Commemoration and Day of Repentance
- One Body, Many Members
- Repudiation on the Doctrine Discovery
Other helpful resources:
- Book: No Bigotry Allowed: Losing the Spirit of Fear: Towards the Conversation about Race by Pr. Ron Bonner
- Website: Race Forward - RaceForward.org
- Racial Justice: Shorter Reads
- Racial Justice: Movies & TV
Previous Webinars and Statements
WEBINAR: 5/21/2020 - Becoming the Body of Christ Where All Bodies are Valued:
A conversation around the ELCA's resolution to condemn White Supremacy
Our host was Southeastern Synod Bishop, Bishop Kevin Strickland.
Our panelists included: ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, Pastor Albert Starr (ELCA Director for Ethnic Specific, Multicultural Ministries and Racial Justice Team of the ELCA), Ms. Judith Roberts (Director for Racial Justice Ministries, ELCA), Pastor Ron Bonner (Pastor for Community Engagement at Redeemer LC, Atlanta, GA), Ms. Roxann Thompson (President of African Descent Lutheran Association for the Southeastern Synod, and Southeastern Synod Council member), Pastor Tiffany Chaney (Associate Director for African Descent Ministries in the ELCA, Systems Director - Business Development at Baptist Health), Pastor Matt Steinhauer (Southeastern Synod, Assistant to the Bishop and Director for Advocacy)
May 12, 2020
Pastoral Message from Bishop Strickland:
Regarding the Death of Ahmaud Arbery and
our call to action as a Church
Here is an excerpt from Bishop Strickland's letter:
We grieve with the family of Mr. Ahmaud Arbery, as they remember his life and his birthdate. But we cannot stop with our prayers, our grief, or even our acknowledgment of our privilege. We must advocate and be a voice for those whose voices have been taken from them.