‘Lutheran Memoir’ resources promote racial justice discussions

The synod’s Racial Justice Advocacy Network has developed the “Lutheran Memoir” project to promote learning and discussion about the church’s past experiences in the treatment of racial groups and notable Black pastors who have influenced the church today.

The project consists of posters and handouts with discussion guides for congregations to use for adult or secondary school youth programming. So far, five topics have been completed:

• Bethany Indian Mission — a residential school for Native American children whom the government removed from their families
• Bishop Nelson Trout — first African American bishop of the American Lutheran Church
• Rev. Jehu Jones — first Black ordained Lutheran pastor
• Bishop Daniel Payne — bishop, educator, author and first African American College President in the U.S.
• St. Sebald Lutheran Church — historical church and early missionary work with indigenous boys

Digital copies of these posters and handouts can be downloaded below for printing. Three-foot poster displays with stands are also available for short term loans.

To learn more about this project, to borrow the poster displays or to arrange for a speaker, email the Racial Justice Advocacy Network at [email protected].