ELCA INTRODUCES "NOW IS THE TIME" Racial Equity Bible Study
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America introduces Now Is the Time: A Study Guide for ELCA Declaration to People of African Descent to help congregations wrestle with the meaning of the declaration, adopted at the 2019 Churchwide Assembly, and its accompanying explanation.
In the declaration, the ELCA "apologizes to people of African descent for its historical complicity in slavery and its enduring legacy of racism in the United States and globally. [The ELCA] lament the white church's failure to work for the abolition of slavery and the perpetuation of racism in this Church."
Now is the TIme stresses realism, self-examination, and accountability as the Church acknowledges and apologizes for the history andimpact of slavery and systemic racism. The study guide focuses on deepening our understanding of this history as participants engage in often-difficult conversation and reflection to move the church toward racial healing and justice.
The study sessions will be guided by Wendy Bean Tannenbaum,
St. Paul’s diaconate intern. This five-part series will take place on Thursdays at 7 pm. via Zoom, beginning September 22. The dates for the one-hour evening sessions are 9/22, 9/29, 10/6, 10/13, 10/20.
The goal of this event is intended to remind us to live as Jesus did and uplift our congregations and our synod by acknowledging the hurt of racism in our society and talking openly about how to be better siblings to God's people as Church TOGETHER.
Group guidelines: Listen to each other’s stories. Respect each person’s journey. Be willing to grow and share. Speak only for yourself. Respect confidentiality.
Registration: Sign up in the Narthex or below by September 19. Click here to register online
