SA22.06.12: On Racial Justice

Resolution on Racial Justice

Whereas, The incidence of racial violence continues to increase leading to death and fractured communities; and

Whereas, The biblical witness and the gift of our Baptism include the calling to strive for justice and peace throughout the earth; and

Whereas, Silence in the face of evil can lead to complicity when our silence is perceived as disinterest or lack of commitment; and

Whereas, Our communities in which we serve as the WV-WMD Synod and the ELCA are impacted by racial tension, distrust, misunderstanding and fear; and

Whereas, The tenor of our civil discourse continues to polarize and disconnect people from one another which potentially fuels racist thinking and behavior; and

Whereas, Our brothers and sisters who are People of Color have asked for allies and clear witness against the evil that is racism in our country and within the ELCA; and

Whereas, Racial bias diminishes all people from being the people we are created to be in Christ; therefore, be it

Resolved, That the WV-WMD Synod condemns the racially motivated attacks committed against people of color; and

Resolved, That the WV-WMD Synod commit to utilizing the task force on racial justice to host at least 2 events on synod territory in 2022 and 2023 to encourage conversation and deeper understanding around issues of racial justice; and

Resolved, That the congregations of our synod be encouraged to have one program on racial issues such as a book study or a speaker led event or inviting a panel of leaders in the BIPOC community to share their perspective on our respective local community challenges or another contextual appropriate event.