April 2023 Newsletter
The Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
article and photos courtesy of Rev. Martin Rafanan
The second annual Martin Luther King, Jr. commemoration service was held on March 26, 2023 at Berkeley Hills Lutheran Church. Dr. Asa Lee of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary was the preacher, and he encouraged those present to connect their worship with a commitment to building the Beloved Community through love, service and justice action. Echoing the prophets, Dr. Lee made the case that leaning into the work of the Beloved Community is a partnership with God to transform the world and fulfill God’s intention for all.
The MLK Jr. commemoration is more than a single worship service. Each commemoration is also a focus on particular works of love, service and justice action in a specific area of need in our community. In 2023, the focus is housing. The panel discussion following the service created opportunities for talking with those who are engaged in various aspects of addressing housing insecurity in our community.
Three areas of action are emphasized for our year long engagement: learning, advocating, and building. Panel conversations were led by leaders from 1HOOD, City of Bridges Community Land Trust, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania (LAMPA), Allegheny Valley Association of Churches (AVOC), Habitat for Humanity, the ELCA Hunger Network, and the Little Free Food Truck ministry of House of Prayer Lutheran Church in Aliquippa. As the year goes on, please refer to the MLK23 page on the synod website for engagement ideas and a look at existing ministries in our synod that address housing insecurity.
As we lean into the housing focus, here are some places to begin:
LEARNING: use the new ELCA Housing Resource Guide and work through the suggested Bible studies in the learning section.
ADVOCATING: we are especially blessed to have an outstanding advocacy ministry in Pennsylvania - LAMPa. Learn more about the organization and to connect on advocacy opportunities that address housing insecurity throughout our state, especially the Whole Home Repairs Act.
BUILDING: Pastor Ed Sheehan is our liaison to Habitat for Humanity. Check in with him to learn more about opportunities to build and renovate: edsheehan81@gmail.com. Also, Rebuilding Together provides extensive support to low-income people needing home repairs.
The goal of the MLK Jr. commemoration is to give members of our synod the opportunity to connect their worship and their justice action. It is a means of connecting our love with our power to do what is right and good in community. As we do so, we remember the words of Dr. King: “Power without love is reckless and abusive, and love without power is sentimental and anemic. Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice, and justice at its best is power correcting everything that stands against love.”
If you attended the March 26 event and have not yet completed the evaluation, we would appreciate your feedback as we begin to plan next year's event! Find the survey here.
Bethel AME Reparations
Photo courtesy of Rev. Martin Rafanan
On April 14, Bethel AME Church invited the community to a Restorative Justice Rededication Ceremony celebrating a long-awaited agreement with the Pittsburgh Penguins for the use of land taken during redevelopment of the Hill District over 60 years ago. The Rev. Dale Snyder, pastor of Bethel, said the church's plans for the site include housing and a daycare center.
Bishop Kurt Kusserow was one of the speakers at the rededication ceremony; read his remarks here.
Read coverage from KDKA here.
The program from the ceremony is available here.
Racial Justice Training
Local and online opportunities for racial justice training are coming up in May! Region 8’s Racial Justice Training equips leaders (rostered and lay) to face the challenges of racism in a diverse, complex and changing world by providing tools and resources that foster healthy and holy conversations. Each workshop addresses these aspects of racism:
Talking about Race: language and vocabulary
History and systemic racism in the United States, and
How to begin conversations and actions in your ministry context.
In-person at Zion Lutheran, Penn Hills - Cost is $20 and covers lunch, materials, and refreshments.
Hybrid - Trainings from United Lutheran Seminary/Kindling Faith will be facilitated by the Rev. Carla Christopher Wilson and are offered in person at United Lutheran Seminary and on Zoom. Look for updated information in future newsletters, or check the ULS calendar of events.
May 15, 10am-3pm – *canceled*
August 29, 10am-3pm – Registration Link Coming Soon!
November 28, 10am-3pm
ELCA Truth & Healing Movement
The ELCA’s Truth & Healing Movement is an opportunity for this church to increase our understanding of our colonizing impacts on Indigenous people in the past and present. Over the next several months, there will be opportunities to learn, raise awareness and engage in other ways to impact hearts and lives across this church. We believe that the truth, and our knowing and embracing it, is the first step toward healing for all of us.
In April, join the online class "Indian 101", taught by Vance Blackfox. Find more information here.
May is Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Awareness Month. Resources are available for individual and congregation action.