In observation of National Day of Remembrance for Indian Boarding Schools which is observed in the United States September 30, we share the following article which is cross-posted from the Women of the ELCA website. The original post can be found here.

The National Day of Remembrance for Indian Boarding Schools in the United States is Monday, September 30. It originated in Canada as the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation in 2021 when the Government of Canada passed Bill C-5, making it a federal holiday. Canada has done work in healing its Indigenous people and the trauma inflicted by residential schools by designating a day to honor the survivors, their families, and communities.

Why do we need a Day of Remembrance?

Residential or boarding schools inflicted trauma on Indigenous children that is still being felt today, generations later. Indigenous children were taken from their families, some as young as four years old. These children were often put on trains and taken as far away from their community as possible. Many of these children died and were buried on the grounds of the schools. Many that survived were no longer accepted in their own communities. Many of these children were forced to believe in Christianity and weren’t allowed to speak their language, sing their songs, or dance their ceremonial dances. This forced erasure of Indigenous culture is still felt in every tribal nation across the country.

As an Indigenous person, I am a descendant of four residential school survivors, my grandparents. I grew up listening to the stories of how the nuns treated the children at the mission school and how they forced them to cut their hair, learn English, and worship Jesus. In any other context, children worshipping Jesus would be a good thing, but when people are indoctrinated into a belief by force, later there can be some resentment.

I am grateful every day that I received, learned, and was shown the love of God in the way it was intended so that I can help my people heal with God’s good love. I am grateful to be a leader in a church, the ELCA, which is leading the way in reconciliation with Indigenous people.

Monday, September 30, 2024 is the National Day of Remembrance for Indian Boarding Schools. Learn ways you can support this day by wearing orange and more. Visit ELCA.org/IndianBoardingSchools 

Use hashtags #ELCA #FaithAndHealing #DayofRemembrance #WELCA

Learn more about the Indian Boarding Schools: ELCA Truth Seeking and Truth-Telling Initiative

 

 

 

Wanda K. Frenchman is an Indigenous leader in the ELCA. She is a member of the Oglala Lakota (South Dakota) and Lenape (Oklahoma) tribes and serves as the vicar for Native American Urban Ministry in Phoenix, Arizona.

A version of this blog post appears on the Cafe (https://Boldcafe.org) website.

 

 

 

To purchase the orange logo t-shirt, click here

In celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month which is celebrated in the United States September 15- October 15, we share the following article which is cross-posted from Living Lutheran. The original post can be found here.

Empowering a New Generation | Empoderando a una Nueva Generación

The Latiné Leadership Summit | La Cumbre de Liderazgo Latiné

This past month, just in time to kick off National Hispanic Heritage Month with a celebration, the ELCA’s Lutheran Center in Chicago transformed into a dynamic hub of growth, learning and community. Young L3s (Latiné Lutheran Leaders) came together for the Latiné Leadership Summit: A Time of Empowerment and Connection. Supported by the Ministries of Diverse Cultures and Communities of the ELCA and sponsored by ELCA World Hunger, this event — organized by the Latino desk of the ELCA — was a groundbreaking experience designed to equip Latiné young adults with the tools, knowledge and support they need to lead effectively within one of the largest (and less demographically diverse) Protestant denominations in the United States.

As I watched these passionate young adults come together, I was overwhelmed with a deep sense of awe and gratitude. I was moved by the realization that they are not just our future, they are the heartbeat of our church right now. Their energy, their commitment and their willingness to step up and lead — it all took my breath away. It was truly a privilege to stand alongside them in this sacred space, to offer them something tangible and meaningful, beyond just words and prayers, for their journey in ministry. As a coordinator for this incredible project, I felt a powerful blend of hope and responsibility. I saw in these young leaders a fierce determination and a readiness to tackle whatever comes their way. And I have no doubt that with their passion and resilience, they will lead us toward a church that is more inclusive, more compassionate and more vibrant than ever before.

A sacred purpose for sacred work

The primary goal of the summit was clear: to provide young Latiné Lutherans with the insights and tools to navigate their leadership journey within the ELCA. By learning from the experiences (and mistakes) of seasoned leaders, these young adults are better positioned to lead with confidence and clarity, avoiding the pitfalls that others have encountered. It was a powerful reminder that the path to leadership is rarely straightforward — it’s often a “bumpy ride,” filled with challenges and opportunities for growth.

The summit began on a high note, with a worship service that featured a welcome message from Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton. In her address Eaton celebrated the enthusiasm and commitment of the young attendees, emphasizing how their passion for the faith and dedication to the gospel of Jesus Christ is inspiring to the entire church. Her words set a tone of encouragement and affirmation, reminding participants of their vital role in the ELCA’s future.

Deep engagement with experienced leaders

The summit was a full event of engagement and learning, beginning with opening remarks from the Hector Carrasquillo, who leads the Latino desk at the ELCA, along with Latiné leaders in our church community such as Nancy Limón,  former officer of the Latino Ministries Association, who played a crucial role in curating the summit’s experience. Eaton addressed the participants a second time, reinforcing her earlier message of support and empowerment.

The experience continued with a keynote address, moderated by Carrasquillo and featuring influential church leaders such as Idalia Negrón, former bishop of the Caribbean Synod, ELCA Vice President Imran Siddiqui and Rafael Malpica, former executive director of Service and Justice. Notably, Siddiqui remained for the entire summit, actively listening to the young leaders’ questions and concerns. His presence and engagement were a testament for these young leaders, to the ELCA’s commitment to hearing and addressing the challenges faced by them in navigating the church.

One of the highlights of the summit was the panel  “Leadership Tools and Skills.” The panel featured contributions from lay leaders Jennifer DeLeon and Christopher Vergara, both deeply involved in justice work within the church, as well as ordained leaders such as Javier Goitia, María Rojas and Irma Bañales. The panelists shared their insights on inclusive and diverse leadership, offering valuable strategies and personal stories that serve as models for emerging leaders.

Additionally, throughout the event, participants engaged in forums, workshops and panel discussions on a wide range of topics, from “Robert’s Rules and Parliamentary Procedures” to “Non-Traditional Evangelism Strategies” and “Lutheran Theology within the ELCA Philosophy and Structure.” These sessions were led by prominent leaders in our Lutheran community, such as Carmelo Santos and Gabriel Marcano, among others.

“A Radically Welcoming Church”: Celebrating diversity and language

One of the most transformative sessions of the summit, “A Radically Welcoming Church,” was led by Christopher Vergara, vice president of the Metropolitan New York Synod, and Jennifer DeLeon, director of racial justice for the ELCA. This session ignited profound and heartfelt discussions about the urgent need to dismantle internalized racism and queerphobia within both the Latiné and the broader Lutheran communities. The dialogue was not just an intellectual exercise but a deeply personal exploration that touched on the lived experiences of many participants, revealing the complexities and challenges of navigating multiple identities within the church.

A key theme that emerged was the critical importance of embracing the rich diversity within Latiné communities. Participants bravely shared their stories, exploring the nuances of identity, including the role of language as both a cultural bridge and a potential barrier. It became clear that being a part of the Latiné community does not necessarily mean speaking Spanish, yet for many, Spanish remains a deeply significant cultural element that connects them to their heritage and history.

This conversation also highlighted the need for a more nuanced understanding of identity within the church. As we engaged in this dialogue, there was a collective acknowledgment that our journey toward unity is not about erasing differences but about celebrating them. We realized that to build a church that truly reflects the body of Christ, we must first create a space where every person feels seen, heard and valued. This session was a powerful reminder that our diversity — and the vision for a more diverse Lutheran church in the United States — is not a challenge to be managed but a gift to be cherished, a source of strength that can propel us forward as a unified community committed to justice, love and radical welcomeness.

Looking ahead: A vision for the future

The final day of the summit featured a plenary session with ELCA partners and leaders, providing a comprehensive overview of the church’s various departments, programs and ministries. Presentations included insights from Khader El-Yateem and Tammy Jackson, ELCA Service and Justice; Philip Hirsch, ELCA Christian Community and Leadership; Roselle Tenorio, ELCA World Hunger; Kayla Zopfi, ELCA Young Adult Ministry; and myself as representative of the Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church (the only Latiné member of the CRLC). Carrasquillo and Jaime Dubon, ELCA director for Latin America and the Caribbean, along with Einstein Gonzalez-Leon — representative from the Latino Ministries Association of the ELCA — also shared their messages and ministries.

The closing worship was a profoundly moving experience, one that felt like both an ending and a powerful new beginning. It wasn’t just the conclusion of the summit but the spark of a renewed commitment to leadership within the church. As participants embraced each other and prepared to return to their synods, congregations and communities, the air was filled with a palpable sense of hope and determination. There was a deep, shared belief that this summit was not merely a single event but the first step in a journey — an ongoing movement to amplify the voices of young Latiné leaders, equipping them with the courage, wisdom and tools needed to shape the future of the church and make their voices heard. This was a moment of transformation, a sacred promise that our work together is just beginning.

As we reflect on this impactful event, it is clear that the Latiné Leadership Summit has set a strong foundation for the future. By empowering young leaders and fostering an environment of learning, support and growth, the ELCA is paving the way for a more inclusive and vibrant church community. Like Martin Luther’s call for reformation and renewal within the church, this summit serves as a reminder that our faith journey is one of constant transformation and revolution.

The path may indeed be challenging, but with courage, faith and determination, these young Latiné leaders are ready to lead the way, embodying the spirit of reformation and renewal that has always been central to our Lutheran heritage.

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El mes pasado, justo a tiempo para comenzar el Mes de la Herencia Latina con una celebración, el Centro Luterano de la ELCA en Chicago se transformó en un dinámico centro de crecimiento, aprendizaje y comunidad. Jóvenes líderes L3 (Líderes Luteranos Latiné) se reunieron para la Cumbre de Liderazgo Latiné: Un Tiempo de Empoderamiento y Conexión. Apoyado por los Ministerios de Culturas y Comunidades Diversas de la ELCA y patrocinado por el Programa Mundial contra el Hambre de la ELCA, este evento —organizado por el Escritorio Latino de la ELCA— fue una experiencia innovadora diseñada para equipar a los jóvenes adultos latinés con las herramientas, el conocimiento y el apoyo que necesitan para liderar de manera efectiva dentro de una de las denominaciones protestantes más grandes (y menos diversas demográficamente) de los Estados Unidos.

Mientras observaba a estos jóvenes adultos apasionados reunirse, me invadió un profundo sentimiento de asombro y gratitud. Me conmovió darme cuenta de que no son solo nuestro futuro; ellos son el corazón de nuestra iglesia en este momento. Su energía, su compromiso y su disposición para asumir roles de liderazgo me dejaron sin aliento. Fue verdaderamente un privilegio estar junto a ellos en este espacio sagrado, ofrecerles algo tangible y significativo, más allá de solo palabras y oraciones, para su camino en el ministerio. Como coordinador de este increíble proyecto, sentí una poderosa mezcla de esperanza y responsabilidad. Vi en estos jóvenes líderes una determinación feroz y una disposición para enfrentar cualquier desafío que se presente. Y no tengo dudas de que, con su pasión y resiliencia, nos guiarán hacia una iglesia más inclusiva, compasiva y vibrante que nunca.

Un propósito sagrado para una obra sagrada

El objetivo principal de la cumbre fue claro: proporcionar a los jóvenes luteranos latines las ideas y herramientas necesarias para navegar su camino de liderazgo dentro de la ELCA. Al aprender de las experiencias (y errores) de líderes experimentados, estos jóvenes adultos están mejor posicionados para liderar con confianza y claridad, evitando las trampas que otros han encontrado. Fue un poderoso recordatorio de que el camino hacia el liderazgo rara vez es sencillo; a menudo es un “viaje accidentado” lleno de desafíos y oportunidades para crecer.

La cumbre comenzó con una nota alta gracias a un servicio de adoración que incluyó un mensaje de bienvenida de la Obispa Presidenta Elizabeth Eaton. En su discurso Eaton celebró el entusiasmo y el compromiso de los jóvenes asistentes, enfatizando cómo su pasión por la fe y dedicación al evangelio de Jesucristo es una inspiración para toda la iglesia. Sus palabras establecieron un tono de ánimo y afirmación, recordando a los participantes su papel vital en el futuro de la ELCA.

Compromiso profundo con líderes experimentados

La cumbre fue un evento lleno de compromiso y aprendizaje, comenzando con las palabras de apertura del Rev. Dr. Héctor Carrasquillo, quien lidera el Escritorio Latino en la ELCA, junto con líderes latinés en nuestra comunidad eclesial como Nancy Limón, ex funcionaria de la Asociación de Ministerios Latinos, quien desempeñó un papel crucial en la organización de la experiencia de la cumbre. La Obispa Eaton se dirigió a los participantes por segunda vez, reforzando su mensaje anterior de apoyo y empoderamiento.

La experiencia continuó con una ponencia moderada por el Pastor Carrasquillo, con líderes influyentes de la iglesia como la Obispa Idalia Negrón, el Vicepresidente de la ELCA Imran Siddiqui y el Rev. Dr. Rafael Malpica. Cabe destacar que el Vicepresidente Siddiqui permaneció durante toda la cumbre, escuchando activamente las preguntas y preocupaciones de los jóvenes líderes. Su presencia y compromiso fueron un testimonio para estos jóvenes líderes del compromiso de la ELCA, de escuchar y abordar los desafíos que enfrentan al navegar por la iglesia.

Uno de los momentos destacados de la cumbre fue el panel  “Herramientas y Habilidades de Liderazgo”. El panel contó con las contribuciones de líderes laicos como Jennifer DeLeon y Christopher Vergara, ambos profundamente involucrados en el trabajo de justicia dentro de la iglesia, así como de líderes ordenados como el Rev. Dr. Javier Goitia, la Rev. María Rojas y la Rev. Irma Bañales. Los panelistas compartieron sus ideas sobre el liderazgo inclusivo y diverso, ofreciendo estrategias valiosas e historias personales que sirvan como modelos para los líderes emergentes.

Además, durante todo el evento, los participantes participaron en foros, talleres y paneles de discusión que abarcaron una amplia gama de temas, desde “Reglas de Orden de Robert y Procedimientos Parlamentarios” hasta “Estrategias de Evangelización No Tradicionales” y “Teología Luterana dentro de la Filosofía y Estructura de la ELCA”. Estas sesiones fueron dirigidas por líderes prominentes de nuestra comunidad luterana, como el Rev. Dr. Carmelo Santos y el Rev. Gabriel Marcano, entre otros.

“Una Iglesia Radicalmente Acogedora”: Celebrando nuestra diversidad y lenguaje

Una de las sesiones más transformadoras de la cumbre, “Una Iglesia Radicalmente Acogedora”, fue dirigida por Christopher Vergara, Vicepresidente del ELCA Sínodo Metropolitano de Nueva York, y Jennifer DeLeon, directora de justicia racial para la ELCA. Esta sesión encendió discusiones profundas y conmovedoras sobre la urgente necesidad de desmantelar el racismo internalizado y la homofobia tanto en las comunidades Latiné como en las comunidades luteranas en general. El diálogo no fue solo un ejercicio intelectual, sino una exploración profundamente personal que tocó las experiencias vividas de muchos participantes, revelando las complejidades y desafíos de navegar múltiples identidades dentro de la iglesia.

Un tema clave que emergió fue la importancia crítica de abrazar la rica diversidad dentro de las comunidades Latiné. Los participantes compartieron valientemente sus historias, explorando los matices de la identidad, incluido el papel del lenguaje como un puente cultural y un posible obstáculo. Quedó claro que ser parte de la comunidad Latiné no significa necesariamente hablar español, y sin embargo, para muchos, el español sigue siendo un elemento cultural profundamente significativo que los conecta con su herencia e historia.

Esta conversación también destacó la necesidad de una comprensión más matizada de la identidad dentro de la iglesia. Al participar en este diálogo, hubo un reconocimiento colectivo de que nuestro camino hacia la unidad no se trata de borrar diferencias, sino de celebrarlas. Nos dimos cuenta de que para construir una iglesia que refleje verdaderamente el cuerpo de Cristo, primero debemos crear un espacio donde cada persona se sienta vista, escuchada y valorada. Esta sesión fue un poderoso recordatorio de que nuestra diversidad —y la visión de una iglesia luterana más diversa en los Estados Unidos— no es un desafío a gestionar, sino un don a apreciar, una fuente de fortaleza que puede impulsarnos hacia adelante como una comunidad unida comprometida con la justicia, el amor y la acogida radical.

Mirando hacia adelante: Una Vvisión para el futuro

El último día de la cumbre se presentó una sesión plenaria con socios y líderes de la ELCA, que brindaron una visión general completa de los diversos departamentos, programas y ministerios de la iglesia. Las presentaciones incluyeron ideas del Rev. Khader El-Yateem y Tammy Jackson del Servicio y Justicia de la ELCA; el Rev. Philip Hirsch del Liderazgo y Comunidad Cristiana de la ELCA; Roselle Tenorio del Programa Mundial contra el Hambre de la ELCA; Kayla Zopfi del Ministerio de Jóvenes Adultos de la ELCA; y yo mismo como representante de la Comisión para la Renovación de la Iglesia Luterana (el único miembro Latiné de la CRLC). Carrasquillo y el Rev. Jaime Dubon, junto con el Diácono Einstein Gonzalez-Leon —representante de la Asociación de Ministerios Latinos de la ELCA— también compartieron sus mensajes y ministerios.

El culto de clausura fue una experiencia profundamente conmovedora, que se sintió tanto como un final, así como un poderoso nuevo comienzo. No fue solo la conclusión de la cumbre, sino el comienzo de un compromiso renovado con el liderazgo dentro de la iglesia. Mientras los participantes se abrazaban y se preparaban para regresar a sus congregaciones, sínodos y comunidades, el ambiente estaba lleno de un palpable sentido de esperanza y determinación. Había una profunda creencia compartida de que esta cumbre no fue simplemente un evento único, sino el primer paso en un viaje: un movimiento continuo para amplificar las voces de los jóvenes líderes latinés, equipándolos con el coraje, la sabiduría y las herramientas necesarias para dar forma al futuro de la iglesia y hacer que sus voces sean escuchadas. Este fue un momento de transformación, una promesa sagrada de que nuestro trabajo juntos apenas comienza.

Al reflexionar sobre este evento impactante, es evidente que la Cumbre de Liderazgo Latiné ha establecido una base sólida para el futuro. Al empoderar a los jóvenes líderes y fomentar un entorno de aprendizaje, apoyo y crecimiento, la ELCA está allanando el camino hacia una comunidad eclesial más inclusiva y vibrante. Al igual que el llamado de Martin Lutero a la reforma y la renovación dentro de la iglesia, esta cumbre sirve como un recordatorio de que nuestro viaje de fe es uno de transformación constante y revolución.

El camino puede ser desafiante, pero con valor, fe y determinación, estos jóvenes latinés están listos para liderar el camino, encarnando el espíritu de reforma y renovación que siempre ha sido fundamental en nuestra herencia luterana.

 

 

Roberto Lara Aranda is director of communications at the Fetzer Institute, a global philanthropic organization committed to building a spiritual foundation for a loving world. He also serves as a faculty member in the Strategic Communications graduate program at Columbia University in New York City. In addition Roberto is executive director of Select Learning, a faith-based organization that provides theological learning resources for personal, congregational and professional development. He is a member of the ELCA Foundation board of trustees and the ELCA Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church. Previously he was assistant to the bishop for communications and development of the ELCA Metropolitan New York Synod and served as president of the Latino Ministries Association of the ELCA.

Roberto Lara Aranda es director de comunicaciones en el Instituto Fetzer, una organización filantrópica global comprometida con construir una base espiritual para un mundo amoroso. También sirve como miembro docente  del programa de posgrado en Comunicaciones Estratégicas en la Universidad de Columbia en la Ciudad de Nueva York. Además Roberto es director ejecutivo de Select Learning, una organización de fe que ofrece recursos de aprendizaje teológico para el desarrollo personal, congregacional y profesional. Es miembro del consejo directivo de la Fundación ELCA y de la Comisión para una Iglesia Luterana Renovada de la ELCA. Anteriormente fue asistente del obispo para comunicaciones y desarrollo del ELCA Sínodo Metropolitano de Nueva York y se desempeñó como presidente de la Asociación de Ministerios Latinos de la ELCA.

Celebrate Black History Month with season three of “Talks at the Desk,” a four-part video series by African Descent Ministries of the ELCA. This season focuses on the Reclaim Gathering and will explore its themes: reclaim, embolden, embody and liberate. A new video will premiere each Wednesday in February at 7:30 p.m. Central time beginning Feb. 7. Watch live at https://youtube.com/ELCA.

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The following is cross-posted from Living Lutheran. The original post can be found here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Centuries after colonial models of education were first forced on Indigenous people in North America, their effects are still keenly felt. Western theological education has remained the default methodology within the church, including the ELCA. This fall, Native leaders from across the ELCA, in partnership with leaders from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (PLTS) of California Lutheran University in Berkeley, are seeking to change that with the launch of the Theological Education for Indigenous Leaders (TEIL) program.

“The TEIL program is a historic and first-of-its-kind opportunity for Indigenous leaders and for our church,” said Vance Blackfox, ELCA director of Indigenous Ministries and Tribal Relations. “It gives students an opportunity to access education and leadership development—and possibly become ordained—so that they might be even more effective leaders in their communities and congregations.”

Though modeled after PLTS’ Theological Education for Emerging Ministries (TEEM) certificate program—which is offered in collaboration with Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn., and the Lutheran Center of the Indiana-Kentucky Synod in Indianapolis and aims to prepare students for ordained ministry in the ELCA—the TEIL program is distinct in groundbreaking ways. “While the timeline looks like the traditional TEEM program, the content and teachers look very different,” said Blackfox, a partner in the development of TEIL and one of its instructors.

“Ninety percent of our instructors, whom we call wisdom keepers, are Indigenous, and the students will experience Indigenous pedagogy, or ways of learning about ministry and biblical studies, that are not offered anywhere else in our church,” said Blackfox, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation.

The TEIL curriculum was designed by and for American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) leaders, with their leadership and ministry formation and Indigenous theologies in mind.

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“Students will experience Indigenous pedagogy not offered anywhere else in our church.”

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The program gave its developers the freedom to look at why some of the courses traditionally offered in TEEM weren’t relevant to Indigenous students’ ministry and context, and what would be meaningful for their experience, said Moses Paul Peter Penumaka, director of TEEM.

“One of the first classes we offer in TEEM is ‘Ministry in Context,’ but TEIL leaders named it as ‘Ministry in Indigenous Context,’” he said. Other classes offered in the 16-course curriculum include “American Lutheranism and Indigenous History” and “Truth and Healing.”

“This program that the wisdom keepers put together is their own program,” Penumaka said. “They are defining what land, context, ministry and theology mean to them, for their own communities and their own people. So it is very unique, authentic and charismatic.”

In many seminary courses, the gospel is read through a Western lens, said Penumaka. The TEIL program offers students “an education that can empower and enlighten them, that’s not enforced upon them,” he said.

Blackfox has a personal understanding of the model’s importance. “There has never been a time in my own studies where the class was made up of 100% Native students, from early childhood until graduate-level seminary classes,” he said. “So for the students in TEIL to have that opportunity is unique and will be, I believe, invaluable to the ways they learn and what they learn.”

“Strengthening our ministry”

The inaugural cohort of TEIL, comprised of 10 students representing a range of ELCA Indigenous ministries and congregations, began their program on Oct. 9, Indigenous Peoples’ Day. The program was launched with in-person classes hosted at Augustana Lutheran Church in Portland, Ore., and an opening ceremony and shared celebration attended by leaders from across the ELCA.

“The ELCA has committed to supporting Native-focused and Native-led leadership and education, and to developing future Native leaders, pastors and theologians,” said Elizabeth Eaton, ELCA presiding bishop. “The Theological Education for Indigenous Leaders program is one important way to honor that commitment. Our Indigenous leaders have vital gifts to offer this church, and the TEIL program is an opportunity to meaningfully support their development.”

Joann Conroy, president of the ELCA’s American Indian Alaska Native Lutheran Association (AIAN), agreed. “We’ve been invisible people for too long,” she said of AIAN members and leaders of the ELCA. “Being able to have TEIL is something that not only strengthens our ministry, wherever we happen to be situated, but strengthens the church and recognizes the gifts we bring to the church.”

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“The ELCA has committed to supporting Native-focused and Native-led leadership and education.”

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Conroy, an Oglala Sioux Lakota pastor who serves as a TEIL wisdom keeper, began meeting with Blackfox and Penumaka several years ago to decide how the program would take shape. Eventually that group broadened to include a team of Indigenous leaders who helped determine what the distinctive courses would be.

“We discussed what the Indigenous pedagogy might look like for each of those classes and who would lead them,” Blackfox said. “We met multiple times to develop this Indigenous learning experience together.”

Blackfox identified several primary goals for the program. “One would be providing quality and appropriate classes and experiences for Indigenous students that empower them to be even stronger ministry leaders in their communities, congregations and Indigenous ministries, both as ministers and with their fellow lay members,” he said. “Two, to allow for their experiences and tribal life ways to also be contributing gifts to their learning environments while in the TEIL program.”

He also hopes to “continue to connect the church at large—the churchwide organization, synods, congregations, individuals—with ways of supporting Indigenous ministries in our church. And this is one tremendous way in which that can happen.”

Seeds planted

The TEIL program is open to lay leaders and those on the ordination track alike. “Students don’t have to be candidates for ordination to be in the program but will be introduced to candidacy in case they do want to pursue ordination,” Blackfox said.

TEIL student Amanda Vivier, a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, had been looking for just such a program. “My heart has been yearning for this connection and acceptance as an Anishinaabe leader and as a follower of Christ Jesus, so it was a no-brainer when the opportunity presented itself,” she said of enrolling in the program.

Vivier has served as spiritual director and minister for The Way (formerly Native American Christian Ministry) in Fargo, N.D., and Moorhead, Minn., since 2017 and is seeking ordination. “This is a huge blessing to the Indigenous population of followers of Christ Jesus,” she said of the TEIL program. “It has opened the door for me to pursue becoming a pastor while still [being] very engaged with my family and ministry.”

She has already found her TEIL coursework directly applicable to her ministry context. “In the short first week I spent in TEIL, I picked up teachings I was able to bring back to The Way that following Sunday,” she said. “It has also actually encouraged me to look at the Bible in my lens of an Anishinaabe kwe [woman] and share it in a language that becomes more relevant for the population I’m serving.”

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“This is a huge blessing to the Indigenous population of followers of Christ Jesus.”

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Gabe Wounded Head is an Oglala Lakota student completing his undergraduate degree at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks this year. He has also applied what he is learning in TEIL to his college campus, where he is a chapel service leader and an active member of Campus Ministry. “I have learned that the idea that there is one path down any road, whether it be education style, church service style or leadership style, is false,” he said. “This program provided me with a unique opportunity to take advantage of a new alternative viewpoint in biblical exegesis.”

In his ministry experience, Wounded Head has found that “most of the people who have turned away from their adolescent churchgoing habits have done so because they’ve learned a new perspective of history, one of the colonized people, that church leaders have historically desired to keep under wraps.” But he believes that TEIL can help enrich people’s faith while also inviting new members by offering important context.

“A historical context creates a picture that the good news was not just meant for the European church, and it wasn’t just meant for the American church—it was meant for the people of God, worldwide,” Wounded Head said. He believes the seeds being planted with TEIL will invite more voices into the ELCA, both from Indigenous communities and beyond current church membership.

When Conroy was in seminary, she experienced that lack of context as a missing piece of her education. “A lot of what I was being taught was very white-focused—my cultural understanding wasn’t being taught,” she said. “TEIL is now bringing those things to the table for our young leaders, where their voice and their cultural relevance can finally be applied to theological learning.

“If you look to the future of the church, if you look at [Indigenous] elders, children, young adults, it really is necessary to keep working toward this. It’s important.”

The following is cross-posted from Living Lutheran. You can find the original post here.

From words to action

Congregation joins the Truth and Healing Movement

By Isabell Retamoza | October 9, 2023

In April, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton launched the Truth and Healing Movement to increase the church’s understanding of the impacts of colonization on Indigenous people in past and present generations. Living Lutheran reached out to Richard A. Magnus, a retired pastor who attends Edina (Minn.) Community Lutheran (ECLC), to hear how the congregation’s work with the movement has affected members and the community.

Living Lutheran: Could you tell me a little bit about yourself?

Magnus: My first call was to urban ministry at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Denver. My assignment was to get to know the communities of color and then invite suburban congregations into relationship with those communities. My second call was to an urban campus ministry in Boulder and the Auraria Higher Education Center, Denver. In that role I was … invited to serve on the National Indian Lutheran Board (NILB) from 1979 to 1981 as one of three “blue eyes” on the board. While in Denver I served as a mission director for the Rocky Mountain Synod and in that capacity supported Rev. Dr. George (“Tink”) Tinker in forming the Four Winds American Indian Survival Project.

In 1997, I was called [as] executive director of the ELCA Division for Outreach. In that capacity I worked with pastors Marlene Whiterabbit Helgemo, former pastor of All Nations Indian Church, and Gordon Straw, director of the ELCA Indian desk [both deceased], to form the Indigenous Institute, which trained 20 ELCA leaders in a better understanding of Native Americans.

In retirement I was invited to serve on the ELCA Repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery Task Force, where I continue to serve on the leadership team.

Could you tell me about ECLC?

In September, ECLC will celebrate its 75th anniversary. ECLC has always had a concern for justice. In 1971, ECLC called Barbara Andrews as the first woman pastor in the former American Lutheran Church. In 1973, ECLC supported members of the American Indian Movement with meals in their Wounded Knee trial. Since the 1980s the congregation has supported homeless housing ministries. It continues to support two food shelves. In 1985, ECLC became a Reconciling in Christ congregation. Strong advocacy was given to the Minnesota Marriage Amendment. The congregation partners with Redeemer Lutheran Church in Northeast Minneapolis in the African American community, Iglesia Luterana San Pablo in southeast Minneapolis and Cristo de Paz in El Salvador. Youth groups have traveled to the Pine Ridge Reservation. In 2003 the congregation sued the state of Minnesota over requirements for churches in the “conceal and carry” law.

In a current capital campaign to reduce debt, one-tenth of all contributions are given to community partners. One of those recipients is the Indian Land Tenure Foundation. Members accompanied Pastor Helgemo to Standing Rock [Indian Reservation] to protest the Dakota Access Pipeline at least twice.

There is increasing interest [in learning] the history of settler takeover of Native land, to understand the history as having an ongoing effect on Native people and to ask what is called for from us to address current injustices.

Why did ECLC decide to engage with the Truth and Healing Movement?

The 2016 Churchwide Assembly passed the “Repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery.” Some members paid attention to that action. The trips to Standing Rock followed. Then in 2020 the ELCA Church Council adopted the “Declaration to American Indian and Alaska Native People,” which I brought to ECLC. In October 2021 eight members under the leadership of Pastor Helgemo visited the Lower Sioux Agency, the Mille Lacs Band and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. Those visits were a great stimulus for more action.

In September 2021 the Indigenous Rights group was formed. [It] has offered many educational experiences for the congregation, including sacred sites tours in the Twin Cities; educational forums on the Doctrine of Discovery; conversations with Vance Blackfox, director for Indigenous ministry and tribal relations; and more. The group prepared a land acknowledgment that is used in the bulletin every Sunday and is encouraged to be used at the beginning of committee meetings, etc.

In initial planning for the ECLC’s 75th anniversary, the theme chosen was “Sacred Ground.” The study portion of the celebration in September through mid-November will focus on the fact that we are on Dakota land and encourage the congregation to ask what that means and how it should inform our relations with Native nations, hopefully as strong advocates for justice for Native nations.

The action to join the Truth and Healing Movement announced by Presiding Bishop Eaton during Holy Week this year encouraged the congregation even more to dig deeper and make even more use of the excellent resources on the ELCA website (www.elca.org/indigenous).

How has work with the movement impacted the congregation?

There is increasing interest [in learning] the history of settler takeover of Native land, to understand the history as having an ongoing effect on Native people and to ask what is called for from us to address current injustices.

The congregation had as many as 60 screens when offering Zooms on the Doctrine of Discovery, the ELCA declaration and conversations with Vance. Twenty-seven members traveled to the Lower Sioux Agency on June 17 to learn from the Rev. John Robertson, a retired Episcopal priest who now works as a cultural interpreter in the Lower Sioux Museum.

Upcoming plans include attendance at the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Wacipi (powwow) on Aug. 19 and a sacred sites tour led by Rev. Jim Bear Jacobs of the Minnesota Council of Churches on Oct. 7. There will also be several sessions directly related to resources provided for the Truth and Healing Movement during the anniversary celebration time.

Use of the land acknowledgment statement also deepens the understanding of members and calls them to action. Here is the land acknowledgment:

My hope is that we are in the Truth and Healing Movement for the long run. There is so much to be undone to right the wrongs of our past.

“We acknowledge that Edina Community Lutheran Church is located on the traditional, ancestral and contemporary lands of the Dakhota Oyate, the Dakota nation. Treaties developed through exploitation and violence were broken. Tribes were forced to exist on ever smaller amounts of land.

“Acknowledging this painful history, we as a congregation confess our complicity in the theft of Native land and acknowledge that we have not yet honored our treaties. We further confess that Christians and Christian churches have benefited from this land theft. We commit to being active advocates for justice for Native people and to truth telling that leads to healing.”

Another item that appears in our bulletin each week is:

“At ECLC’s Annual Meeting on February 5, 2017, the congregation approved the following statement and made a commitment toward racial justice: Racial injustice continues to thrive in our country and communities. Our Christian response is to walk in solidarity with people of color, because standing silent sanctions continued violence.  We recognize that those who are white, are intertwined in a network of unearned privilege. We, as a congregation, are compelled to advocate for racial justice. We invite other congregations to join together in expressing their commitments to live out our shared faith—active in love—in the struggle for equity and justice.”

What should congregations consider before they engage in this movement?

Ask yourselves why you are considering joining the Truth and Healing Movement. Ask whether you are willing to be changed by what you will learn in the process. Go to the ELCA website to see … what might be best for you to use as you begin. Find Native organizations and people who can be your guides and informers, remembering that leadership must come from those communities and people (but the work of learning will need to come from you).

Take the leap—there is so much to learn, so much to gain as you see the connectedness and begin to remove myths to be fed by the gifts of reality in the Native world these days.

Do you have any closing thoughts you want to share?

I am so grateful that our church is where it is now as it seeks to reclaim relationships that were lost with the end of the NILB. We have tremendous opportunity to become an important ally in working for Native justice. … My hope is that we are in the Truth and Healing Movement for the long run. There is so much to be undone to right the wrongs of our past. I’m a humble volunteer in an exciting justice-oriented congregation.

Correction: An earlier version of this story misspelled the author’s name and listed Richard Magnus as the pastor at ECLC. Both have been corrected. The story also included a reference to Enbridge Line 3 as the pipeline ECLC members protested with Rev. Marlene Helgemo and not the Dakota Access Pipeline. This has been corrected and clarified.

The following is cross-posted from Living Lutheran. You can find the original post here.

Para celebrar el Mes de la Herencia Hispana, del 15 de septiembre al 15 de octubre estamos hablando con luteranos de ascendencia latiné para amplificar las voces de nuestros hermanos en Cristo. Hoy estamos hablando con Rev. Alejandro Mejía, director de la misión evangélica del Sínodo de Delaware-Maryland.

Las respuestas han sido editadas para su publicación.

¿Cómo está usted conectado a la ELCA?

Nací y crecí en Colombia, América del Sur. Mi familia siempre ha pertenecido a la iglesia luterana. Recuerdo estar presente en conversaciones en las que se mencionaba el nombre “ELCA”. Cuando me hice más activo en la iglesia, aprendí sobre los fuertes lazos que hay entre la Iglesia Evangélica Luterana de Colombia y la ELCA. Recuerdo haber visto o escuchado de líderes como Mary Campbell, Rafael Malpica Padilla, por mencionar a algunos que son conocidos y que todavía están entre nosotros. Tiempo después, cuando ya servía a una congregación, me llegó una invitación del Sínodo de Carolina del Sur de la ELCA en los Estados Unidos para servir como desarrollador de misiones entre la creciente comunidad latina.

Todo eso es para decir que la ELCA siempre fue parte de mi jornada de fe, gracias a su asociación con la iglesia en Colombia. Por supuesto que nuestra conexión se ha vuelto directa y más fuerte desde que me mudé a este país.

¿Cómo cree que la ELCA puede amplificar mejor las voces latinés?

Creo que, juntando las caras con las historias, explicando los puntos fuertes de nuestra gente. Debemos fomentar atención y empatía en nuestra iglesia hacia las necesidades y realidades de nuestros hermanos latinés, pero también es necesario que publiquemos historias sobre las habilidades, los puntos fuertes, el poder que existe entre nuestra gente. Somos luchadores; nunca nos echamos para atrás. Eso es algo que hay que mencionar. Por supuesto, aún hay tantas necesidades por satisfacer. Sin embargo, hay tanto que podemos ofrecer para hacer más fuerte a nuestra denominación. Así como contribuimos a la grandeza de este país, también podemos hacerlo en nuestra denominación.

¿En qué formas puede la ELCA ser más inclusiva de la comunidad latiné?

Es importante abrir espacios en la mesa de toma de decisiones donde se sientan los poderosos. Pero no se trata de traer a una persona latiné porque existe la necesidad de cierta diversidad. Se trata de traer suficientes personas de una comunidad en particular, en este caso la comunidad latiné, para que haya una voz más fuerte y asertiva. Para una persona de color es intimidante estar en la mesa con probablemente otras dos o tres, pero en la que todavía somos una minoría.

También es importante tener presente que América Latina está formada por varios países, cada uno con tantas culturas diferentes que nos hacen únicos. Los líderes de nuestra iglesia deben confiar en nosotros, escucharnos, y aprender con nosotros y de nosotros. Podemos prosperar si lo hacemos juntos.

Es esencial ser conscientes de nuestra presencia proporcionando formas en las que podemos sentir que pertenecemos. No porque necesitemos ayuda, sino como iguales. Un ejemplo de ese enfoque podría ser ofrecer interpretación simultánea al español en reuniones como la asamblea de toda la iglesia, entre otros espacios importantes para nuestra vida como iglesia; poniendo a disposición material de adoración, de formación en la fe —por mencionar unos cuantos— en español, escrito por líderes latinés.

Necesitamos más y más líderes latinés listos para servir; por lo tanto, debemos crear formas de capacitar y equipar a las personas de nuestras comunidades facilitando el acceso a la educación. Y no solo seminarios; hay otras profesiones que se necesitan dentro de nuestra iglesia que pueden funcionar por el bien de nuestra comunidad latiné.

Hay muchas oportunidades y maneras que nuestra iglesia podría implementar para poner en práctica el hecho de que todos son bienvenidos, con el fin de que podamos sentir en nuestros cuerpos que, en efecto, somos vistos y apreciados.

¿Cómo ve a la comunidad latiné representada en su sínodo e iglesias locales?

Soy muy afortunado de trabajar con el obispo William Gohl. Él me ha dado la oportunidad de ocupar una posición de liderazgo dentro de nuestro sínodo. Me encantaría ver que esto sucediera en otros sínodos. Me encantaría ver a más ministros latinés en la lista como pastores principales o como diáconos a cargo de programas sólidos dentro de congregaciones y sínodos. Directores juveniles, directores musicales.

¿Qué le da esperanza?

Hay comunidades y ministros en la lista que, a pesar de los retos (inequidad, falta de recursos, racismo), se despiertan cada mañana para trabajar duro y prosperar. Ellos y sus comunidades están marcando una gran diferencia en esta iglesia y esta nación. Tengo esperanza al ver a niños y jóvenes diciendo que aman a la iglesia, y se identifican como cristianos luteranos.

Sé de familias que se suben al automóvil y conducen varias millas solo por la oportunidad de reunirse en torno a la palabra y el sacramento porque sienten que pertenecen. Madres que vienen con sus hijos porque necesitan ser nutridas por el amor de Dios hecho realidad a través de la comunidad. Dios nos ha inspirado a seguir adelante, a nunca echar para atrás, sino a levantarnos si caemos. Y nos levantamos más fuertes, porque no estamos solos.

¿Por qué cosas ora usted?

El fin de la mentalidad patriarcal, de supremacía blanca y despreciativa con la que muchos están acostumbrados a mirarnos. Oro por oportunidades para que nuestras nuevas generaciones sean quienes son, que promovamos el bilingüismo, que fomentemos el aprendizaje de otros idiomas, que nuestras iglesias sean espacios seguros, no para asimilar la cultura dominante, sino para afirmar que la diversidad es uno de los dones más preciosos de Dios y la esencia de Dios.

___________

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 we are speaking with Lutherans of Latiné descent to amplify voices of our siblings in Christ. Today we are speaking with Rev. Alejandro Mejia, director for evangelical mission with the Delaware-Maryland Synod.

Responses have been edited for publication.

How are you connected to the ELCA?

I was born and raised in Colombia, South America. My family has always belonged to the Lutheran church. I remember being present at conversations in which the name “ELCA” would be mentioned. When I became more active in the church, I learned about the strong ties between the Iglesia Evangelica Luterana de Colombia and the ELCA. I remember seeing or hearing about leaders such as Mary Campbell, Rafael Malpica Padilla, just to mention some who are well-known and still among us. Later, when I was already serving a congregation, an invitation came from the ELCA South Carolina Synod in the United States to serve among the growing Latino community as a mission developer.

All of that is to say, the ELCA was always part of my faith journey, thanks to its partnership with the church in Colombia. Of course, our connection has become direct and stronger since I moved to this country.

How do you believe the ELCA can better amplify Latiné voices?

I think putting faces and stories together, explaining the strengths that our people have. We need to promote mindfulness and empathy among our church toward the needs and realities of our Latiné siblings, but we also need to put stories out there about the abilities, the strengths, the power that exists within our people. We are fighters; we never step back. That is something that has to be mentioned. Of course, there are so many needs still to be satisfied. However, there is so much that we can offer to make our denomination a stronger one. As we are contributing to the greatness of this country, we are also able to do it within our denomination.

What are ways in which the ELCA can be more inclusive for the Latiné community?

It is important to open spaces at the decision-making table where the powerful sit. But it is not about bringing a Latiné person because there is the need for some diversity. It is about bringing enough people from a particular community, in this case the Latiné community, in order that there is a stronger and assertive voice. It is intimidating for one person of color being at the table with probably another two or three but where, still, we are a minority.

It is also important to keep in mind that the Latino America is made of several countries, each having so many different cultures that make us unique. Leaders from our church need to trust us, listen, and learn with us and from us. We can thrive if we do it together.

Being mindful of our presence by providing ways in which we can feel we belong is essential. Not because we need help, but as equals. One example of that approach could be offering simultaneous interpretation to Spanish at gatherings such as a churchwide assembly, among other important spaces for our life as a church; making available worship, faith formation material—just to mention a few—in Spanish, written by Latiné leaders.

We need more and more  Latiné leaders ready to serve; therefore, we need to create ways to train and equip people from our communities by facilitating access to education. And not only seminaries—there are other professions that are needed within our church that can work for the sake of our  Latiné community.

There are many opportunities and ways that our church could implement in order to put into practice the fact that all are welcome, so that we can feel in our bodies that we are indeed seen and appreciated.

How do you see the Latiné  community represented in your synod/local churches?

I am so fortunate to work with Bishop William Gohl. He has given me the opportunity to occupy a position of leadership within our synod. I would love to see this happening in other synods. I would love to see more Latiné rostered ministers as senior pastors or as deacons in charge of strong programs within congregations and synods. Youth directors, music directors.

What gives you hope?

There are communities and rostered ministers who, despite the challenges—inequity, lack of resources, racism—wake up every morning to work hard and thrive. They and their communities are making a huge difference in this church and nation. I have hope by seeing children and youth saying that they love the church, identifying as Christians Lutherans.

I know about families who get in the car and drive several miles just for the opportunity to gather around word and sacrament because they feel they belong. Single mothers coming with their children because they need to be nurtured by God’s love made real through community. God has inspired us to move forward, to never step back, but rather to rise if we fall. And we rise stronger, because we are not alone.

What do you pray for?

The end of the patriarchal, white supremacist, patronizing mindset from where many are used to looking at us. I pray for opportunities for our new generations to be who they are, that we promote bilingualism, that we encourage learning other languages, that our churches are safe spaces not to assimilate the dominant culture but by affirming that diversity is one of God’s most precious gifts and God’s essence.