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 designating June 17 as a commemoration of the martyrdom of the Emanuel 9—the nine people shot and killed on June 17, 2015, during a Bible study at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C. Congregations of the ELCA are encouraged to mark this day of penitence with study and prayer.

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:

 
 

  1. Sign the pledge 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.

  2. Work to dismantle racial injustice by listening to voices, experiences and the expertise of people of color. Learn about the ELCA ethnic-specific associations and their strategies.

  3. Learn the history of systemic racism in this country and the ways racism and white supremacy impact every aspect of our life together by engaging in resources such as "Now Is the Time: A Study Guide for ELCA Declaration to People of African Descent".

  4. Join, support or attend your synod’s anti-racism team or work with your synod leadership to start one in your congregation. Study the ELCA social statement “Freed in Christ: Race, Ethnicity, and Culture” and the following apology statements:

    Apologies, Declarations and Statements

  5. 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 ELCAvotes to encourage and ensure voting rights for all.

  6. Start where you are by joining community organizations working for racial justice.

  7. Reach out to build or deepen relationships with Historic Black Churches. Consider using the congregational resource “Understanding One Another,” co-authored by the ELCA and the African Methodist Episcopal Church, or our Joint Statement of Mission with the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church as a way to get started.

  8. 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.


 
 

 

Let our prayers of lament be turned into ongoing actions for racial justice.

The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton
Presiding Bishop

Carlos E. Peña
Vice President (Interim)

The Rev. Tracie L. Bartholomew
Chair, Conference of Bishops

 

 

 

YES, I commit to study, prayer and action to become an anti-racist individual in an anti-racist church.


Title
First Name
Last Name
Congregation name
City
State
E-mail address (Note: your email will not be publicly displayed)
 

Displaying 1 - 20 of 4383
 
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Name
Congregation Name
City, State

Deacon Le Brandes
Holy Spirit Lutheran Church
Kirkland, WA

Mr. John Hayner
Prince of Peace Lutheran
Largo, Florida

Ms. Katy Stanton
Grace Lutheran Church
Westminster, MD

The Rev. Julianne Smith
Martin Luther Lutheran
Youngstown, Ohio

Eric Nelson
Our Saviour's Lutheran Church
Naperville, IL

Brett Hill
All Saints Lutheran Church
Lutz, FL

Mrs. Sheila Kolesaire
Lord of Life Lutheran Church
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

Ms. Pam Mitchell
Gethsemane Lutheran ELCA
St. Louis , Mo

Ms. Kristie Mandel
Easter Lutheran
Eagan, MN

The Rev. Priscilla ParisAustin
Immanuel Lutheran
Seattle, WA

Pastor Darla DeFrance
Columbia City Church of Hope
Seattle, WA

Pastor Said Ailabouni
St. Timothy Lutheran Church
Naperville, IL

Andrea Fuller
St. Philip’s Evangelical Lutheran Church
Baltimore , MD

Dr. Elizabeth Meadows
St. Paul's Lutheran Church
Evanston, IL

Mr. Patrick Kelly
No church home
Salisbury, North Carolina

Pastor Julie Webb
Galilee Lutheran Church
Kelseyville, California

Ms. Chris Schmidt
Gethsemane Lutheran St Louis
St Louis, MO

Ms. Pamela Kramer
Trinity Lutheran Church of Warrenville
Warrenville, , Illinois

The Rev. Gwendolyn King
Calvary Lutheran Church
West Chester, PA

Pastor Marnie Rourke
St. Mark’s
Aurora , Illinois