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.
Team Co-Leaders
Vicki Anderson
Thom McCurdy

Administrative 
Vicki Anderson, lead
Erin Frisch
Thom McCurdy

Church Presence & Worship
​Pastor Gary Bunge, lead
Gabriel Aichele 
Vicki Anderson
Communication & Information Technology
Pastor Haley Vay Beaman, co-lead 
David Wiggert, co-lead
Amy Wagenknecht 
Vicki Anderson

Advocacy & Outreach 
Thom McCurdy, lead
Miriam Bunge 
Michael Anderson 
Jennifer Johnson
​
Education
​Sue Kamens, lead 
Olga Holden
Thom McCurdy 
Cindy Ramsey
Connie Lenkowski

Speaking of Racial Justice

Complete List of Monthly Definitions

Recommended Reading/Viewing

Redlined: A Legacy of Housing Discrimination

This video explains in less than 15 minutes the legislative actions that led to the practice of redlining and the horrific impact it had on the financial stability it had on Blacks and people of color.  

Holy Post – Race in America (Part I)

We recommend watching this video in its entirety as it discusses not only redlining but establishes the link between financial stability, crime, discriminatory drug laws and prison sentencing, and bias in policing. ​

The Sharon Bandlow Multicultural and Racial Justice Collection

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

Understanding My Privilege:
​A Ted Talk

Susan E. Borrego, Chancellor of the University of Michigan-Flint, reflects on her life as an emancipated minor and dissects the emotionally charged conversation surrounding race relations in the United States. This raconteur uses her powerful first-person account of "White Privilege" and "Black Lives Matter" to underscore the responsibility each one of us has to bring about change. ​

Unpacking White Privilege:
​A Study Guide

Download the White Privilege study guide from the ELCA here.

Assess Your White Privilege

A checklist to assess your White Privilege.

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

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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.  

ZoomForum (January 17, 2021)

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Judith Roberts, Program Director of ELCA Racial Justice Ministries, shares a presentation followed by Q and A on the Explanation of the Declaration of the ELCA to People of African Descent. Watch below.

Book Discussions and Podcasts

 Podcast: The 1619 Project

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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 With Folks from our North/West Lower Michigan Synod

​The next North/West Lower Michigan Synod Racial Justice Book Discussion, led by Rev. Rosanne Anderson, Assistant to the Bishop, will continue at a date to be determined.  More information will be coming, including registration details.  This discussion of books on Racial Justice, with folks from various places in MI, is a great opportunity for us! 

New Book Study Led By
Michigan Refugee Hope Board Members
July 7 - August 4, 2021

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Pastor Ryan Prondzinski, President of Michigan Refugee Hope, and Pastor Erick Johnson, board member, will be leading a new five-week Book Study on the book by Bishop Stephen Bouman on the book, They Are Us.

The study will be divided into five sessions via Zoom, meeting weekly on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 PM, beginning Wednesday, July 7th and concluding on Wednesday, August 4. 

Learn more.

Materials for Use with Children