By: Kristen Opalinski

“We are at a 1945 moment” — Those words from António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, came in a speech on January 10, 2021, marking the 75th anniversary of the first meeting of the U.N. General Assembly. Referencing the moment when the world, emerging from the horrors of World War II, took their first steps into a new era of global cooperation and unity.

It was at this moment, in the midst of one of humanity’s darkest hours, that leaders began to see the world for what it was — an interconnected web of people who possessed similar needs, but also similar hopes and dreams. It was the first time in human history that a unified body representing a majority of earth’s inhabitants would gather under one roof with the purposes of solving its most pressing challenges — the spirit of which is needed now more than ever.

Since 1948, the work of the U.N. has been grounded in one of its most important documents, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. A professor and dean of the graduate school at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia at the time, Otto Frederick Nolde, was tapped by Eleanor Roosevelt to assist in the drafting of the declaration. 1  Authoring article eighteen, which states that everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, Nolde helped ensure that faith had a seat at the table. He quickly became the most influential nongovernmental organization representative at the U.N., serving for over two decades in various diplomatic capacities that took him from Manhattan to Moscow.

As the world envisioned new ways of engaging diplomatically, the ecumenical movement was also gaining renewed energy and sense of purpose. A year prior to the start of World War II, 100 churches voted to found what would become the World Council of Churches (WCC) . Its inauguration would be delayed because of the war, eventually launching in 1948. Nolde was selected to lead a new WCC working group called the Commission of the Churches on International Affairs, which advocated for the protection of religious liberty in the broadest possible terms within the U.N. and beyond.

Around the same time, Lutherans throughout the world were embarking on a new journey to become a federated body. The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) was founded in Lund, Sweden, in 1947, taking the place of its predecessor body, the Lutheran World Convention. It was founded to provide a forum for theological and organizational dialogue, but also to coordinate the rebuilding and refugee resettlement efforts in post-war Europe. These founding aims continue to propel the LWF’s work today in responding to the needs of people around the world.

In 1973, the Lutheran Office for World Community (LOWC) was formed to both convey the social policy views of the LWF and eventually the ELCA (after its formation) to the U.N. and, in turn, keep LWF and ELCA members informed about U.N. responses to those issues. Along with the ELCA advocacy, LOWC works to cultivate a publicly engaged church, one that can respond holistically to promote peace and the dignity of all people.

Globally, the LWF, WCC, and other partners continue to serve as catalysts for action and transformation. From the LWF’s Waking the Giant, an ecumenical initiative aimed at building capacity in churches to contribute effectively to the 2030 UN Agenda for Sustainable Development, to the WCC’s Thursdays in Black campaign advocating towards a world without rape or violence, churches are building upon past successes with renewed focus.

Moments like these require new thinking that pushes us beyond current realities. Youth and young adults are staking their role in this process. A recent webinar organized by the LWF, the WCC, and the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers (NRTP), brought together three young interfaith experts to discuss best practices learned during the pandemic. Mr. Fernando Sihotang, human rights and advocacy coordinator for the LWF’s National Committee in Indonesia, spoke about the ways in which the pandemic was pushing people towards a newfound awareness of their interconnectedness, “People joined hand in hand to support each other, to look for undeniable commonalities, instead of debating our differences.”2

Rev. Dr Sivin Kit, LWF Program Executive for Public Theology and Inter-religious Relations, reflected on the importance of this youth-led engagement, “Youth are able to connect the gains we have learned from history and reframe it in more ‘current’ and ‘future’ terms. Current because they are living in such complex world with such intensity that they may alert us to some blind spots… although revisiting and critically reviewing the past is necessary, often youth nudge us all – especially leaders, to be creative, draw on our imagination, and become more action oriented in shaping the future.”

As nations continue to scramble to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, the inequalities present in our societies and their intersectionality have grown evermore clear. Ecumenical and inter-religious organizations are calling for the needs of the most vulnerable to remain front and center, as their lives and livelihoods are under the greatest threat. The Geneva Interfaith Forum for Climate Change, Environment and Human Rights (GIF), to which both the WCC and LWF are members, submitted a written statement to the 44th Regular Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council which called for the recognition, monitoring and addressing of “the intersections between the Covid-19 pandemic, climate change and human rights.” Whether in our own community, across the country, or around the world, the need for ecumenical and inter-religious collaboration and participation in the public sphere continues to grow.

In the midst of a pandemic, rising tides of religious extremism and nationalism, political unrest, and racial injustice, the U.N. has designated 2021 as the ‘International Year of Peace and Trust.’ It is a time for us to look back and learn from these 75 years of global cooperation and ecumenical and inter-religious collaboration. It is a moment to ask ourselves what God is calling us to next, to seek out new paths that will continue to build trust, unity, and peace in the face of forces that seek to divide. Indeed, we find ourselves at a 1945 moment, a moment that requires us to move more urgently to mutual approaches to common challenges.

The U.N., like any institution, has at times fallen well short of it’s clarion call. And while its missteps in seeking justice and building peace must continue to be critiqued and studied, so too must its successes be celebrated. For progress has taken root over these 75 years, progress that will continue to evolve upon many different paths moving forward. Likewise, ecumenical and inter-religious partners must consider which paths to journey upon together. Wherever these roads lead us from here, may we work to ensure that truth-telling is paramount, that empathy is our guide, and that the dignity of all is recognized as we continue to name and celebrate that which unites us.

1. Faith-driven diplomacy in the wake of war – Living Lutheran

2.  Young peacemakers key to post-pandemic world | The Lutheran World Federation

Kristen L. Opalinski serves as the Manager for Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations for the ELCA

The Network of ELCA Colleges and Universities (NECU) will partner with Augsburg University’s Interfaith Institute to hold a webinar on January 26, titled Neighbors Together in a Divided Nation: An Inter-Religious Conversation.

Students, faculty, administrators and staff at our member institutions across North America are invited to join in this important conversation. Together we’ll reflect upon religious and secular traditions and the ways in which they call for our engagement to love and serve the neighbor, work for healing, justice, peace and mercy, and care for creation in a divided nation and world.

The 27 colleges and universities of NECU have a shared mission to empower students to serve the neighbor so that all may flourish. That mission will falter if we fail in these troubled times to foster interreligious understanding in our communities of teaching and learning. NECU thanks Augsburg for offering this webinar to our colleges and universities. We hope you will join us — register in advance at this link or by clicking on the poster below. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Following the presentations we will hear from student respondents, and there will be time for questions and conversation.

About our presenters:

Farhan Latif is a philanthropic leader, social entrepreneur and cross sector mobilizer on minority inclusion.  His work is inspired by democratic values and universal norms shared by faith traditions and his leadership has challenged global extremism and ideologically motivated hate.  He is the President of the El-Hibri Foundation, focused on cross sector approaches to foster inclusion across religious and political divides. His work focuses on investing in Muslim leaders in partnership with allies to build capacity and resilience.  

Imam Makram El-Amin has worked for  more than two decades as a religious and community leader, firmly rooted in the principle of our inherent human dignity. In addition to his weekly teaching duties, Imam El-Amin leads Al Maa’uun (Neighborly Needs) Community Outreach Services (almaauun.org) that addresses food insecurity, affordable housing, career services, and mentoring. A student of the late religious leader and scholar Imam W. Deen Mohammed, his thoughtful and moderate approach to Islam has afforded Imam El-Amin opportunities to share the stage with Bishop Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama. He was a delegate to a historic interfaith event in Rome with Pope John Paul II and member of an interfaith clergy delegation to the Holy Land.

Lori Brandt Hale is Professor and Chair of Religion and Philosophy at Augsburg University, where she has taught since 1998. She holds degrees from the University of Iowa, the University of Chicago Divinity School, and the University of Virginia. Brandt Hale has devoted her academic career both to teaching and to studying the life and legacy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

Rabbi Arielle LeKach-Rosenberg serves as Assistant Rabbi, with a focus on music, prayer and activism.  She was ordained by the Rabbinical School of Hebrew College in June 2017.  She spent her final two years of rabbinical school working as a full-time rabbinic fellow at B’nai Jeshurun in New York City, where she developed innovative initiatives for people of all ages and backgrounds to deepen their relationship with prayer, music and spiritual practice.

“All who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them.

But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.”

—Luke 2:18-19

Look in AWE to our Savior, born that holy night in Bethlehem.

May we TREASURE the wondrous MIRACLE of Christ’s

birth and PONDER the HOPE Christ brings.

Merry Christmas!

Wishing our ecumenical partners, and all who work for unity in this world, a season filled with peace as we ponder the hope of a new year.

ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton and the Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations Staff ,

Kathryn Lohre, Rev. Dr. Carmelo Santos, and Kristen Opalinski

About the artist: Thobani Mpanza is studying at the Evangelical Lutheran Church Art and Craft Centre at Rorke’s Drift in South Africa. He started with tapestry weaving and now works in textile printing. He is a member of the Oscarsberg Parish in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (ELCSA) – South Eastern Diocese. The ELCSA is a global companion church of the ELCA.

By Kathryn Mary Lohre

The third week of Advent began for me not with the lighting of the pink candle in the Advent wreath, or the nativity children’s program at church, but in my favorite armchair at home watching history unfold. On the television, trucks full of vaccines prepared for their journey to those most in need across the country. Distribution of this lifesaving, life-changing, scientific discovery is in motion. I felt a lump in my throat. While for most of us, nothing changes – not yet – we can now prepare. Our waiting has turned to anticipation.

As ecumenical and inter-religious partners, we have a role to play in preparing for the post-pandemic future. We can encourage people to love their neighbors by getting vaccinated – when it is our turn. We can advocate for equitable distribution in the US and globally. We can publicly acknowledge that there are, understandably, varying degrees of confidence in public health claims and scientific advances. We can confess that this is a direct consequence of our racist and white supremacist history and current practices against BIPOC communities, including shameful cases of medical malpractice, abuse, and neglect. On the basis of our understanding of our sacred texts and theologies, we can inspire a future were all people, and the planet, are included in how we define and actualize health and healing.

For those of us who are Christian, it is fitting that this third week in Advent is also a time to order our hearts and minds in joyful anticipation of the Christ-child. That feels risky right now. Amid illness, death, and social inequity, we have been oriented to despair. We have become accustomed to all that is not, rather than to proclaiming all that will be. The Gospel text for this third week in Advent (John 1:6-8, 19-28) is a reminder that we, like John the Baptist, are called to prepare the way for the One who is our Joy. We do so by testifying to Christ in advance of Christ’s arrival. We tell of what will be even in the absence of what is. In other words, we reorient ourselves to rejoicing by practicing joy.

It gives me great joy to see those freezer trucks on their way to those most in need. Even more so, I rejoice in anticipation that the One who inoculates us against despair is coming.

Kathryn Mary Lohre serves as Assistant to the Presiding Bishop and Executive for Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations & Theological Discernment for the ELCA

During the Advent season we often talk a lot about the Holy Land of the past without talking much about the Holy Land of the present. What is going on in Bethlehem today? How are we called to accompany our Palestinian siblings in love, joy, hope, peace, and justice? What does this mean for our own advent journey?

Join ELCA Young Adults and ELCA Peace Not Walls starting Nov 30 for an Advent Pilgrimage in Palestine. This is a young adult led initiative that can be used by people of all ages.

Over the course of the 4 weeks of Advent young adults from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land will lead us on this pilgrimage through story, education, and theological reflection.

Every Monday of Advent we will share a video reflection and every Wednesday of Advent we will share a written blog post, accompanied by discussion questions and actionable items you can use with small groups.

Register here to receive Advent Pilgrimage in Palestine resources by email and/or to register for our opening educational webinar on Monday, November 30 8:30-9:30pm EST.

Follow at #AdventInPalestine!

Email peacenotwalls@elca.org

By: Rev. Stephen Herr

The crossroads town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, became the site of the largest battle in the American Civil War when the network of ten roads that lead into its town center, known today as Lincoln Square, brought together Union and Confederate armies on July 1-3, 1863. These three fateful days of fierce combat resulted in more than 51,000 casualties and the first major Southern defeat in the East. President Abraham Lincoln came to Gettysburg later that year to dedicate a final resting place for the Union soldiers who had died during the battle. The 16th President of these United States would walk and ride along those same streets, ending at the apex of Cemetery Hill to deliver what is now known throughout the world as the Gettysburg Address. In his speech, Lincoln reminded the nation of America’s founding ideal that all persons are created equal.  He then challenged Americans to complete the unfinished work of the founders.

This summer marked the 157th anniversary of the battle, the town would have normally been abuzz with tourists, students, and history enthusiasts. The streets of Gettysburg, however, have been largely quiet in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Just as in 1863, the nation is at a crossroads. This year has brought a pandemic, racial unrest, anti-racism protests, and calls for reform and change. The same thoroughfares that opposing armies traversed in 1863 have been filled with people standing in unity amidst a new crossroads in history. They have come to remember, lament, repent, and pray.

The Lament and Repent Prayer Vigil sponsored by the Gettysburg Area Ministerium corresponded with the commemoration of the 5th anniversary of the shooting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina. On June 17, 2015, Clementa C. Pinckney, Cynthia Marie Graham Hurd, Susie Jackson, Ethel Lee Lance, DePayne Middleton-Doctor, Tywanza Sanders, Daniel Lee Simmons, Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, and Myra Thompson were murdered when a self-professed white supremacist entered the church where they were conducting a Bible study and opened fire. Last summer the Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) adopted a resolution to commemorate June 17 as a day of repentance for the martyrdom of the Emanuel Nine.

Gettysburg is home to a number of Lutheran institutions, including two congregations— Christ Lutheran and St. James Lutheran—United Lutheran Seminary, Gettysburg College, and SpiriTrust Lutheran, a social ministry organization. In the wake of national unrest and protests calling for racial justice and an end to racism, the local Lutheran congregations began to consider how they might provide opportunities for prayer, conversation, education, and action. At the same time, the Gettysburg Area Ministerium, an ecumenical gathering of religious leaders, discussed how it might best address racial injustice and racism. The Reverend Dr. Fred Young, Ministerium chair, highlighted the group’s more than seventy-year history of ecumenical collaboration for worship, social action, and outreach. With that history of a vibrant ecumenical spirit, discussions were underway for the Ministerium to host a community-wide event to emphasize unity while also providing opportunities for lamentation and repentance for racism still prevalent in churches and throughout the nation. Young declared, “There is an energy that clearly suggests we are in this pandemic of illness and social injustice, together.”

Pastor Jay Eckman from Christ Lutheran Church invited the planning group to consider holding the event in conjunction with the commemoration of the Emanuel Nine. Eckman shared the ELCA resolution with his ecumenical colleagues and the planners spent considerable time processing their emotions surrounding the myriad of issues facing the community and nation. Together the planners joined in prayerful consideration, seeking to discern what God was calling people of faith to do in this moment. Eckman noted that the group decided that the way to begin was to come before God in prayer on June 17 and invite the community to participate.

The Ministerium resolved to hold small outdoor gatherings throughout the downtown area. Each congregation was assigned a location along the four main streets emanating from Lincoln Square. Organizers structured the gathering sites such that they formed a cross with the town square in the center. At each location, one of the pastors led a brief prayer service of remembrance, lament, and repentance with the goal of fostering unity and hope. Ministerium Secretary Jenn Vintigni requested participants to wear masks and observe social distancing in accordance with guidelines from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Center for Disease Control.  Fourteen different congregations participated in the event—including both ELCA Lutheran congregations in Gettysburg along with representatives from the seminary and college. “It was a wonderful public witness,” commented Eckman, who joined with Pastor Stephen Herr in leading a service from the historic front steps of Christ Lutheran Church. There, on July 1, 1863, Army Chaplain Horatio Howell, a Presbyterian minister and chaplain of the 90th Pennsylvania Volunteers, had been shot and killed as he emerged from Christ Lutheran where he was tending to the needs of wounded Union soldiers. On June 17, participants gathered in front of the church with its memorial tablet to Howell in remembrance of the deaths of those who were killed at Emanuel AME Church.

The same streets that witnessed bloodshed, suffering, and grief in 1863 served as a meeting place for church goers, community members, clergy, seminarians, and visitors from a wide array of Christian traditions. They came together in a socially distanced manner to remember the Emanuel Nine, pray for racial justice, stand against racism, and call for unity and peace. The Reverend James Dunlop, who serves as bishop of the Lower Susquehanna Synod, indicated it was “deeply moving being with a group of people to lament and repent in prayer.” He went on to share how significant it was to stand in a cruciform way across the town to witness and remember.  Jeremiah Herbert, the lead pastor at the Intersection Church—an Assembly of God congregation—expressed how grateful he was for the diversity of ecumenical partners. Participating churches included four congregations from the ELCA’s full communion partners: The Episcopal Church, the United Church of Christ, the Presbyterian Church (USA), and the United Methodist Church, as well as congregations from the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, The Assemblies of God, Foursquare Church, the Baptist Church, the Church of God, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Almost three hundred people, positioned at twelve different locations, participated in the event. Motorists slowed and engaged the group, with some offering support and others expressing disfavor.  Those encounters led Pastor Andrew Geib from St. James Lutheran Church to observe how much anti-racism work is needed in Gettysburg and around the nation. Community and faith leaders echoed his thoughts.  Local activist groups have held protests in Lincoln Square to raise awareness. Gettysburg officials, including the mayor and chief of police, recently joined with faith and community leaders on Lincoln Square to pray together and commit to working towards greater racial justice in Gettysburg. Pastor Michael Stanley from St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in Gettysburg helped lead that gathering in prayer. Gettysburg area churches, community officials and leaders, and activist groups are all exploring ways to raise awareness concerning racism, facilitate conversations, educate, and take action. While this unfinished work looms large, Geib appreciated this meaningful beginning. “Standing with members of the congregation and community, reflecting on words from Psalm 42, and listening to the church bell toll in remembrance of the Emanuel Nine was one of the most powerful moments of my pastoral ministry.”

Most historians consider the battle of Gettysburg to be a significant turning point in the American Civil War. While the war would continue for two more years, Gettysburg marked the beginning of the decline and eventual fall of the Confederacy. Here in this pivotal place, those gathering to commemorate the Emanuel Nine expressed a hope that America would seize this moment as an opportunity to confront its past and embrace a future dedicated to the eradication of racism. Following the service in front of Christ Lutheran, Elizabeth Peter found herself reflecting on the gathering taking place in Gettysburg and those around the nation. “This is the first time in my lifetime that I’ve seen this much attention to the pain and grief of black people and an actual desire to address systemic racism in all spectrums of our lives.” This recent graduate from United Lutheran Seminary cast a hopeful vision of what could emerge: “I do believe this can be a turning point if people lean into the challenge of learning, growing, and putting aside what you think you may know and really dig into the trauma caused by the history of racism in this country.”  Julie Jackson, who began her internship at Christ Lutheran in August, attended with a number of seminarians hoping that the commemoration service ignites a fire in the ELCA. “I pray that this fire for justice burns and spreads throughout our congregations to end the uncomfortable silence that surrounds talking about racial justice and understanding.” For Jackson, who has an interracial family, the commemoration and anti-racism work are never far from her mind. “I am exhausted from bearing the burden of trying to explain why I am so disgusted by the racial injustice in this country.” Jackson’s exhaustion and perspective further highlights the sense of urgency and necessity for communities around the nation to commit themselves to the important work of racial justice.

On that Dedication Day of November 19, 1863, Lincoln stood over the graves of soldiers who gave their lives fighting to preserve the Union and to bring an end to slavery. “It is rather for us,” proclaimed Lincoln, “to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us.”  And so, on this, the 157th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address, a great task remains before the nation and the church today. The unfinished work of dismantling systemic racism and ensuring racial equality throughout this nation and within the churches of Jesus Christ endures. The American republic finds itself at a crossroads. Gettysburg’s prayerful commemoration of the Emanuel Nine bore witness to the continuing necessary struggle to address the unfinished work of racial justice with humility, hopefulness, and a prayerful openness and commitment to learn, grow, and unite.

The Rev. Stephen Herr is the senior pastor of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Gettysburg, PA. He is also serves as president of the Lutheran Historical Society of the Mid-Atlantic and president of the Lincoln Fellowship of Pennsylvania.