RACIAL JUSTICE

The purpose of the ULC Racial Justice Team is to Educate the congregation to recognize racism and racial issues and to Equip, Lead and Support the congregation to be anti-racist agents with the people and institutions of our lives.

In October 2019, twenty ULC members participated in a 30-hour workshop called Embracing the Call to Racial Justice: A Workshop for White People, led by Melanie Morrison, PhD, founder and director of Allies for Change. The knowledge gained during this workshop led to the creation of the ULC Racial Justice Team.

We invite you to watch this short YouTube video to learn more about our team.

We invite the entire ULC community to join in this journey,  and will be updating this page to bring you links to resources and learning opportunities.  

Our Racial Justice Team

Below are the current members of the team who will be providing materials and activities to support the above purpose.
Administrative 
Vicki Anderson, lead
Erin Frisch 

Church Presence & Worship 
Pastor Gary Bunge, lead
Gabriel Aichele 
Vicki Anderson

Communication & Information Technology 
Pastor Haley Vay Beaman, lead 
Amy Wagenknecht 
David Wiggert
Vicki Anderson
Community Advocacy & Outreach 
Miriam Bunge, lead
Michael Anderson 
Thom McCurdy
​Bill Frysinger

Education
Sue Kamens, lead 
Paula Davis
Olga Holden
Thom McCurdy 
Cindy Ramsey
Connie Lenkowski

Recommended Reading/Viewing

Explanation of the Declaration of the ELCA to People of African Descent

At the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in 2019, Rev. Elizabeth Eaton, ELCA Presiding Bishop and the ELCA Church Council formally delivered the introduction to, and a copy of, Explanation of the Declaration of the ELCA to People of African Descent. This document was accepted by Rev. Lamont Wells, President of the African Descent Lutheran Association. Watch video of the event.  

The Sharon Bandlow Multicultural and Racial Justice Collection

Follow link to find a complete list of racial justice materials in the ULC Library.

Podcasts

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"1619” is a New York Times audio series, hosted by Nikole Hannah-Jones, that examines the long shadow of American slavery. Listen to this podcast series.

Racial Justice Book Discussion
September 15, 22, 29 1:00-2:00 p.m ET

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North/West Lower Michigan Synod event led by Rev. Rosanne Anderson, Assistant to the Bishop. The book is How to be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi. The book is available in print, kindle and audiobook format from Amazon. Please read the book before the first discussion on September 15.


​Register Today! 
​Registration closes on September 14.  

Registered participants will receive a link to the Zoom meeting the evening before the session. Discussion sessions will not be recorded. If you have additional questions, please email the Synod.

Materials for Use with Children