“Dear Church” into Action – Adult Forum

We will spend two forum sessions (December 6 and December 13) exploring the context and implications of Lutheran pastor Lenny Duncan’s “Dear Church: A Love Letter to the Whitest Denomination in the U.S”.

Rev. Duncan takes a hard-hitting look at how racism in the ELCA stalls its growth, diminishes it’s vitality, and shrinks it’s membership. He asks: can we “stop prioritizing tradition and civility over the lives of the marginalized?”

Session 1 will examine the historical racial composition of the ELCA in America, ask ‘Is history destiny?”, examine critical ideas from “Dear Church”, see a video by Pastor Duncan, and suggest ideas for change.

Session 2 will examine the Lutheran theology and liturgy that Duncan says has racist overtones. We will ask ‘Is racism a sin?’ and how Duncan suggests we change as a congregation to align with the marginalized. Re-alignment away from racist systems and toward wholeness and inclusion will energize our congregation and create growth.

Lauve Steenhuisen, PhD has been a full teaching professor of Theology and Religious Studies at Georgetown University for 26 years. She teaches about sociotheology, social movements of gender and race, American cults, and veiling in Islam. She has been an active member of her beloved community Emmanuel for 30 years.

Purchase Dear Church here

Join Zoom Meeting Link: https://zoom.us/j/96298698341?pwd=ajFiR0R0VU9JY0JHQWEva0llTDNvUT09

Meeting ID: 962 9869 8341
Passcode: 793611
Dial in option: (929) 205-6099