The Racial Justice Ministry Team (RJMT) was established in 2007 by Bishop Gerard Knoche in order to create an ongoing body in the Delaware-Maryland Synod of the ELCA with the mission to carry out the commitments made in the ELCA Social Statement “Freed in Christ: Race, Ethnicity, and Culture” approved by the third Churchwide Assembly in 1993.
In 2007, Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson reminded the Church that the social statement “calls upon its leaders to ‘name the sin of racism and lead us in our repentance of it.’” [ELCA Department for Studies, Division for Church in Society, "Freed in Christ: Race, Ethnicity, and Culture" (Chicago: Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, 1993), p. 5.] He added in his letter:
“I call on members of this church of all races to remember and give thanks for those who have gone before us, especially those who have suffered from racism and injustice, and to stand in opposition to this evil spreading across our country. Let us together:
- Pray for racial reconciliation and peace;
- Encourage all ELCA congregations to be in conversation with each other about issues of racial justice and reconciliation;
- Engage, listen to, learn from, and build relationships with people of color—those most affected—in our communities;
- Speak out against hate crimes and other racial injustices in our communities and work to strengthen legislation that supports and protects civil rights” [Racial Justice Statement by Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson, November 1, 2007.]
The program of the Synod Assembly in 2008 set the stage for the work of the RJMT by focusing on racism, involving speakers who addressed the history of racism in the region, screening a video about white privilege, providing opportunity for education and dialogue, and encouraging conferences to develop plans for next steps in carrying out the ELCA commitment to racial justice.
DE-MD Synod Racial Justice Ministry Team Assumptions:
- We are all imago dei, but we all fall short of the glory of God. But, in this context, in this DE-MD synod of the ELCA, white privilege is maintaining the sin of racism.
- We do this work as people of God: God’s work. Our hands.
- We trust that God is working a new creation in and through us so we will come to appreciate all the varieties of gifts that we possess among us. (I Corinthians 12)
- There is a purpose and a reason why we are all different, and we are enriched by our collective voices.
- Both white people and people of color have work to do around education concerning the impact of racism, and around healing. However, we may need to do so in our own cultural contexts to meet our differing needs.
- We need to be accountable to each other.
- Whereas studies have shown that in its institutional form, racism creates a system that allows those of European descent to stand at the center and pushes all others to the margins, due to racism people of European descent not only maintain their privilege and status unconsciously, but all people are pressured into remaining silent about the realities of race relations, even in the church.
Racial justice ministry is being inclusive not exclusive in creating a climate of peace, justice, freedom and dignity that embraces all people. A climate that provides opportunities for growth, leadership, empowerment and advocating for policies and programs that are socially and racially just.
The DE-MD Synod RJMT will carry out its ministry in the following areas:
- Building healthy community and leadership development
- White privilege, anti-racism, internalized racial oppression education and training
- Building capacity for self-reflection, climate change and opportunity
- Moving from privilege to partnership: creating an anti-racist multicultural church
Meeting Dates for 2011:
- August 16
- September 20
- November 15
All meetings are held at:
First Lutheran Church
3604 Chatham Road
Ellicott City 3604
Meetings are held from 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm. Members are welcomed!!!
