Here are some resources provided by the NT-NL Synod and the ELCA, which congregations can use to discuss and understand racism, systemic racism and oppression, and issues of racial justice and equity in the U.S.
Videos
Link to NT-NL Anti-racism and Social Justice video playlist (YouTube)
Individual videos in the playlist:
- Presiding Bishop Eaton addresses issues of racial justice (ELCA video) | transcript
- ELCA leader continues call for racial equity (ELCA video) | transcript & resources
- Confronting Racism webcast (ELCA video)
- Racial Equity Consultant Joyce James (Keynote Speaker at the 2014 NT-NL Mission Assembly)
- Garfield High School Principal José Huerta (Keynote Speaker at the 2014 NT-NL Mission Assembly)
- Restorative Justice in Public Education I: Principal José Huerta (2014 NT-NL Mission Assembly)
- Restorative Justice in Public Education II: Principal José Huerta (2014 NT-NL Mission Assembly)
- The New Jim Crow: Toward a New Consensus on Justice (2013 NT-NL Table Talk)
- Michelle Alexander at The New Jim Crow: Toward a New Consensus on Justice (2013 NT-NL Table Talk special evening event)
Sermons and Blog Posts:
Sermons
- The Stirring in My Spirit (sermon video & text), Pastor Angela Shannon (King of Glory, Dallas)
- Three Storms (sermon text), seminary intern Drew Yoos (Calvary, Richland Hills)
- Sermon for June 21, 2015 (audio; select “06-21-15-Pastor-Kris.MP3”), Pr. Kris Totzke (St. Luke’s, Richardson)
Blog posts
- The Truth Shall Set You Free, Rozella White, ELCA Program Director for Young Adult Ministry
- I Confess: I am Dylann Roof NT-NL Bishop Kevin S. Kanouse
- Speaking Accountability, Justice, and Grace NOW Bishop Kevin S. Kanouse
- Racism: The “White Noise” of Black Life (Dan the Story Man) Pastor Angela Shannon (King of Glory, Dallas)
- How Will The Massacre at Emanuel AME Affect White Churches? 5 Ways to Respond (Sojourners) Ruth Hawley-Lowry
- Intentional Bridge-Building After Charleston TX-LA Gulf Coast Synod Bishop Mike Rinehart
Resources Collected by NT-NL Public Witness for Peace & Justice Team:
- The Untold Story of Emmett Louis Till (documentary on the lynching of a 14-year-old Black boy in Mississippi in the 1950s)
- Traces of the Trade (documentary on the largest slave-trading family in US history)
- Book list by Austin Channing to “aid your growth towards understanding race, justice, and faith: austinchanning.com/library/
- Charleston Syllabus (list of academic resources)
- Christians and Racial Justice (Sojourners Magazine)
- Resource list compiled by #ThisIsWORR (Week of Righteous Resistance)
Women of the ELCA Resources:
- The Story of Peter and Cornelius: An Anti-Racism Bible Study on Unity This Bible study on Acts 10, the story of Peter and Cornelius, can also be used in your group to introduce people to Scripture that affirms diversity as being both of God and part of the glory of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The study consists of an introduction (to be read aloud by the leader at the beginning of the study), five brief sessions with questions for reflection on a passage of Scripture, and a closing prayer or litany. This study can be done at one time or broken out into shorter sessions. Download the PDF materials here.
- Called to be Political: But I Don’t Want to Be Political! offers a fascinating glimpse into the teachings of Martin Luther on the role of Christians in politics and explores how those teachings still speak to us. A two-hour program. Download the PDF materials here.
- Called to Deal with Difficult Issues: A Challenging Ministry presents a process for thinking theologically as we face difficult issues in our daily lives. Download the PDF materials here.
- God Colors Outside the Lines: A Short Workshop on Diversity and God’s Church Diversity is one way God demonstrates genius at coloring outside the lines. Through scripture and simple, brief exercises, this short resource will help you demonstrate how diversity is a gift from God, as well as a trait of God, worthy of our exploration and embrace. Download the PDF materials here.
- The Level Playing Field: We are called by our constitution to be an anti-racist organization. This program is part of our anti-racism education materials and uses an activity called The Level Playing Field to help people make the connection between racism and real life. It is ideally used with a cross-cultural group, either large or small. Download the PDF materials here.
- Stand Up for Justice: A guide to advocating for a just society. This is a good first step in your journey toward tackling tough issues. Working for justice is not a quick and easy process but a long-term commitment involving both reflection and action. In this justice journey, your actions emerge after Bible study, prayer, reflection, listening, research, and careful planning. This resource can be used by individuals as well as by groups. Download the PDF materials here.
- See an alphabetical listing of all resources provided by the Women of the ELCA here.
ELCA Resources:
- Freed in Christ: Race, Ethnicity, and Culture Social statement adopted by the ELCA in 1993
- Introduction
- Social statement English | español
- Study guide
- ELCA Racial Justice Working Definitions
- ELCA Racial Justice Resources
- Transcript of Bishop Eaton’s March 2015 video statement (including list of resources)
- Confronting Racism webcast (including list of resources)
- See more resources at elca.org/Resources/Racial-Justice.
Do you have additional resources we could consider for this page? Email us at ntnlpublicwitness@gmail.com.