Racial Equity

Racial Equity Ministry Team

The Racial Equity Ministry Team is commissioned:

• To build awareness of racial disparities through educational events in our synod
• To build capacity to connect congregations and individuals in racial equity work
• To empower congregations and individuals to join actions that promote racial equity in the policies of our synod
• To equip congregations and individuals to take action to promote racial equity in programs throughout our synod and our communities.

2024 Anti-Racism Training for Rostered Ministers

At the 2022 South-Central Synod of Wisconsin Synod Assembly, the assembly passed the “Resolution in Support of Anti-Racism Training for Leaders in the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin.” The resolution embodies our commitment to engaging in anti-racism work with the hope and goal of bringing about a more equitable, loving, and just world.

The resolution requires annual anti-racism education provided by the synod and at a similar cost to other professional boundaries training. The resolution further requires the synod to keep a record of rostered ministers’ participation in this training. Click here to view the full text of the resolution.

The Racial Equity Team is grateful to announce the following educational series for rostered ministers:

Imago Dei and Racial Identity Development
Presented by Rhonda Hill, founder of Race & Faith

Our work with Rhonda Hill began at the 2023 Fall Summit, with her presentation, “Actor, Ally, Accomplice.” For those who were not able to attend the Fall Summit, or anyone who would like a refresher, Rhonda has provided a webinar version of her presentation. Click here to view the presentation. If you were not in attendance at the Fall Summit it is strongly recommended that you view the presentation prior to the start of the education sessions this April.

The education series continues this spring and will be broken out over four Zoom sessions, held on the following dates.

• Tuesday, April 16, 10:00am to noon
• Thursday, April 25, 10:00am to noon
• Tuesday, April 30, 10:00am to noon
• Tuesday, May 7, 10:00am to noon

Attendance at all four sessions is required in order to receive the certificate of completion. The Zoom sessions will be recorded and will be sent out to registered participants prior to the following session. The cost of the anti-racism training is $50. This fee is for all four Zoom sessions. Scholarship funds are available.

Registrations are no longer being accepted as the training has begun. If you still need to pay, payment may be made online via credit card (choose “Racial Equity Webinars” as the fund) or by mailing a check (please note “Racial Equity Webinars” on your check) to the synod office.

For any questions or scholarship inquiries please contact Pastor Jen Christenson, Associate to the Bishop for Candidacy and Community for more information.

Registration for the webinars has closed. If you still wish to attend please contact Rev. Jen Christenson at jenc@scsw-elca.org to see if there is still availability.

Resources

• YouTube Playlist of Past Racial Equity Presentations (2017-2021)
  Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic our Racial Equity Team hosted various conversations on a wide range of topics. Through this playlist you may view all of those presentations.
• Racial Equity Ideas for Congregations (June 2020)
  There is much to be done to combat racism, and there are many good resources online and elsewhere to get educated and involved. Pray. Protest. Donate. Listen. Show up. Advocate. Vote. In the wake of George Floyd’s death, here are four ideas for congregations from the Racial Equity Team.
• May 29, 2020: ELCA ELCA Reaffirms Commitment to Combat Racism and White Supremacy
• Addendum to White Privilege in the ELCA – SCSW (Added November 2020)
• ELCA Racial Justice Ministries
  The Racial Justice Ministries of the ELCA serve as catalysts and bridge builders committed to the work of confronting racism and moving toward fairness and justice in the church and society.
• ELCA Racial Justice Resources
  Resources to help guide you and your congregation.
• Racial Equity Bibliography (Updated November 2020)
• Racial Equity Team Mission Statement
• Video: “Honor the Reformation’s African roots”
  The revelation that Ethiopian Christianity possibly had links to Protestant Reformation is a game-changer for what is generally thought to be an exclusively European.