Authentic Diversity & Justice Working Group

Mission:
We build up disciples to proclaim through word and deed that the gospel of Jesus is one of liberating justice.

We work to promote the full engagement of our ministerium to open up our congregations to the mission of racial justice in our regional and local contexts, create awareness of the intersectionality of justice issues, and find ways for our faith to play a role in these engagements wherever they lead us.

Serving, Connecting, & Equipping Congregations:

We acknowledge and repent of our complicity, as individuals and the church, in the sins of racism and white supremacy.

We work to take steps toward healing, reconciliation, and equality for all people.

We equip and empower people in the SWPA Synod, both lay and rostered, to gain more knowledge and understanding and to work for justice for all people. Specifically, we offer a curated list of resources, book studies and discussions, workshops/webinars, opportunities for advocacy, and annual anti-racism training.

We welcome connections and cooperation with similar groups of other denominations and faiths.

How can congregations support authentic diversity & justice?

Engage in resources, webinars, conversations, book studies.

Read about our Churchwide support for working group like these >>

TO GET INVOLVED, CONTACT:

Amy Kelly
Chair

412-377-1542
akelly001@luthersem.edu

Pastor Melissa Stoller
Director for Evangelical Mission & Assistant to the Bishop

412-367-8222
melissa.stoller@elca.org

Members:
Rev. Kerri Clark, Secretary
Rev. Brenda Henry
Rev. Jocelyn Johnston
Rev. Ryan Pusch
Rev. Martin Rafanan

Group Resources

Line your shelves with great books for adults, teens, and kids, recommended by our Authentic Diversity & Justice working group. By purchasing from our list, 10% of the sale will go towards funding our annual MLK event.

Lent is both a time of reflection on the past and looking to the future; the 50th anniversary of the passing of Section 504 is an opportunity to see where the disability community has been, where they are now, and what we can do to support them moving forward.

This year's Lenten challenge from the synod's Authentic Diversity and Justice Working Group will open our minds and hearts to being aware of the way we have inadvertently excluded people from worship and community, and move in a direction towards inclusion. 

Learn More >>

Struggling with White Privilege and Following Jesus

A series of Lenten reflections, each week one individual will share about their personal awareness and struggle with white privilege and commitment to racial justice. See the full series >>

Land Acknowledgement

The practice of including a land acknowledgement at the beginning of gatherings is growing increasingly common. This practice is intended to draw our attention to the tribes and people who have stewarded the land on which we gather, and to encourage further learning about their history and present circumstances. Below are some resources for learning more about land acknowledgements, and taking steps to include a land acknowledgement as part of your congregation's worship services.

• Search your address to find out which Indigenous tribes have called this land home.

• Find examples of land acknowledgements from Vance Blackfox, Director for the ELCA's American Indian Alaska Native Tribal Nations Desk, and read his article in November's Living Lutheran magazine.

• Connect with the Council of Three Rivers American Indian Center, which "promotes the socio-economic development of the Native American community and others who experience the same type of economic difficulties in the Greater Pittsburgh metropolitan area."

• Read this local land acknowledgement shared at the installation (formally, "invitation to ecumenical service") of Pastor Kimberly Greway at St. John's Lutheran, North Versailles.

Unpacking White Privilege

• Article >>

• Study Guide >>

I Think You’re Wrong (But I’m Listening)

• Book >>

• Study Resources >>