Resources for your journey

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

1 Corinthians 12:12-13

ANTI-RACISM RESOURCES

By crossing racial, ethnic, and economic boundaries, the work and witness of the early church emphasized the unity of Christ’s body in the Spirit. Racial injustice, seen and unseen, separates us from one another and denies the goodness of God in all people. Everyone is harmed by racism and unjust systems, though in our society persons of color suffer disproportionately. Racial justice reconciliation is the ministry of Christ’s church for the world. Baptized into the radically inclusive body of Christ, we work together to create a climate of dignity, peace, justice, and freedom that embraces all people. An expression of God’s love for creation, racial justice ministry provides opportunities for growth, leadership, and empowerment, advocating for policies and programs that are socially and racially just.

The Racial Justice Team seeks to guide the congregations and leadership (laypeople and rostered) of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod as we all learn together how to live into Jesus’ calling for justice and mercy for all. As we are called to LOVE like Jesus, HEAL like Jesus and ENGAGE like Jesus, racial justice must be a key component of our values as a Synod. Furthermore, as a Reconciling in Christ Synod, the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod affirms that we are divinely and wonderfully made in God’s image. We encourage and invite people of all sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, races and ethnicities, ages, socioeconomic statuses, abilities, and citizenship and migration statuses to participate fully in the life and work of the church. We commit ourselves to supporting social and racial equity.

Pastor Samantha Drennan presenting NEPA Land Acknowledgement

at the 2024 Synod Assembly

Upcoming Events:

Toward Racial Justice Training Offered through ULS

Racial Justice Blog Posts:

Black History Month: Week 4

02/25/2025

Racial Justice is Something I Didn’t Sign Up For! “Pastor, it’s a shame that we have school districts that have so many minorities.” This was one of the most heartbreaking comments I’ve ever heard. I serve in Schuylkill County, which is at the last census 90.7% white in its population and 3.8% black, and also 3.3% Hispanic. Yes, I am aware that this adds up to 97.8, and the rest of that is designated as “other”. That comment that you read above? It came not from any parishioner I’ve had, but from someone who attended a funeral that I had led.

Black History Month: Week 3

02/18/2025

Racial Justice Work is God’s Work, Our Hands “Why should I care about all this racial justice stuff?” “The church should stick to spiritual matters, not get involved in politics!” I sometimes hear these arguments. And I get it. There was a time when I didn’t see how my call to be a pastor included a call to work for justice. I thought these were two separate things – both good things, to be sure – but not necessarily related. Was I ever wrong!

Black History Month: Week 2

02/11/2025

Racial Justice Work Where does one begin? That’s a great question! If you are asking, then you are already on the right track. When I first came to the realization that I needed to learn and understand more about my whiteness and the experience of black and brown people, I started with John Lewis’ Across That Bridge: Life Lessons and a Vision for Change and Bryan Stevenson’s Just Mercy and Angie Thomas’ The Hate U Give.

Black History Month: Week 1

02/04/2025

Why do we need a Racial Justice Team? Until we live into the fullness of God’s reign, there will be division, inequity, and injustice. The Racial Justice Team strives to guide congregations, agencies, and members of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod as we grow together as God’s children and live into Jesus’ calling of authentic diversity through racial justice.

Healing through Truth

12/16/2024

Healing through Truth Vance Blackfox’s Address on Indigenous Histories and ELCA’s Efforts Submitted by Pastor Samantha Drennan, co-convenor of Racial Justice Team On November 20 at Muhlenberg College, the Red Door Roots speaker series at Muhlenberg College featured Vance Blackfox, Indigenous Theologian. He began his presentation by thanking his ancestors – the ones he knows, and…

Conveners

Deacon Deborah Graf – Co-convener

Pastor Samantha Drennan – Co-convener

Team Members

Pastor Colleen Cox
Pastor Brian Beissel
Pastor Jennifer Hall
Pastor Brandon Heavner
Deacon Kat Tigerman - Staff Liaison

Racial Justice Team