Faith Formation
Dear St Andrew’s,
Grace and peace in the name of Jesus.
I know that this is a big week in the life and ministry of St Andrew’s. Joining together as a congregation to discern who the Holy Spirit has prepared to serve as the next pastor, has been and still is, serious and sacred work that almost all of you have contributed to. This week is a big week. And there is almost nothing that I can think of that should move your focus off the goal that you’ve been working toward for two years. Almost nothing.
But there is something. And it is something that is as significant for the present and future ministry of St Andrew’s as is the calling of your next pastor. It is something that if you do not read about it, talk about it, study it, pray about it, and challenge each other about it, some may rightly ask: Does this congregation have a future?
So, even in this week of discernment about your next pastor, I am bold to ask you to give attention to the matter of racism. Because as we now see all too clearly, until we have the courage to talk about and address the racism in our lives, our community, and our congregation, there likely isn’t a way for any church to be faithful in its mission and our baptismal promise to serve all people, following the example of Jesus, and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth.
This really can’t wait. We have to start now. We have to start somewhere.
We are fortunate to have partners in ministry who are ready to walk with us and support us in the spiritual struggle to journey to a place where we can confess our sins of racism, both as individuals and as a congregation, and then work to be a part of bringing God’s vision for creation and community into reality.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Indiana-Kentucky Synod have prepared statements, addresses, and resources to help us think about racism in light of our professed Christian faith. The links to them are below.
In a different time, we would come together and read and talk and watch and listen together. But we can’t do that right now. So, I’m asking each of you to work through as many of these as you are able, on your own. Most of them will include links to other resources: books, films, articles. Any of these could serve as a discussion starter. And we can do that on Zoom or via other means. And, at some point, we will be able to meet together again. In the meantime, perhaps the gift of being apart is being given the time for some self-guided learning and soul-searching and prayer.
Please feel free to be in contact with me with any questions or thoughts you have about starting the conversations.
O Holy Spirit, enter in, and in our hearts your work begin.
Deacon Marilyn
A letter from the ELCA Conference of Bishops
ELCA Presiding Bp Eaton’s address