EDINA COMMUNITY LUTHERAN CHURCH
ECLC RACIAL JUSTICE STATEMENT
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.
Approved at ECLC’s Annual Meeting on February 5, 2017, during which the congregation made a commitment toward racial justice.
RACIAL JUSTICE JOURNEY
In February of 2021 over 250 ECLC members participated in a shared Racial Justice Journey. The first stage of the journey was led by Joanne K. Reeck, founder and lead trainer of United for Changing Consulting, LLC. With over 15 years of experience as a diversity, equity, and inclusion facilitator, Ms. Reeck is not only a sought-after DEI consultant, but also the Vice President for Equity and Inclusion at Augsburg University in Minneapolis. See below to learn about the goals of our journey together as a beloved community. Click here to view specifics about this training.
RESOURCES
WHETHER YOU’RE JUST STARTING YOUR JOURNEY INTO RACIAL JUSTICE WORK OR HAVE BEEN A RACIAL JUSTICE WARRIOR FOR YEARS, CLICK ON THIS LINKS BELOW FOR RESOURCES THAT PROVIDE A CURRENT FRAMEWORK FOR DOING THIS WORK.
PRETRIAL FAIRNESS
The ECLC PreTrial Fairness Team works to reform the cash bail system in Minnesota
with the goal of systemic equity
CLICK HERE to learn more about the work of ECLC's Pretrial Fairness Team and resources that address:
- How does cash bail work and whom does it harm?
- What about public safety?
- Who benefits from cash bail?
- What are alternatives to cash bail? What is happening in Minnesota and beyond to change the pretrial system?
- What can we do to help ensure pre-trial fairness?
LINK: HISTORY OF RACIAL JUSTICE WORK AT ECLC
ECLC has a long history of being involved in many forms of justice work (i.e. LGBTQIA, EcoFaith, Gun Violence, and Racial Justice). This link provides a history of the our involvement in racial justice specifically.
To learn more, contact our Racial Justice Vision Committee which seeks to live out ECLC’s Racial Justice Statement and help embed racial justice as a core value in every aspect of our daily ministry together. (Contact: Lauren Morse-Wendt)