GROWING JUSTICE OUTREACH
As we seek together to love and faithfully serve our neighbors, we recognize that many in our communities are differently-abled, and of diverse races, cultures, countries of origin, genders, sexual orientations, or economic statuses. Following the Biblical example of Jesus, we believe we are called to walk alongside those who have been traditionally marginalized by society and may not have had voice or presence in our congregations.
As the synod expression of the church, we strive to lift up the priorities of community, innovation, justice, and service with practical tools that empower leaders and inspire congregations. Called by faith, we commit to learn and grow together, celebrating and affirming our differences, and finding ways to seek safety and justice for all God’s people. We trust healing and reconciliation are possible and that God’s will is served and the church is strengthened by the wisdom and experience of many.
Growing Justice Outreach Playlist
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Edification Day 2021 - Practical Tips for Strengthening Your Congregation’s Justice Ministries
Rev. Carla Christopher Wilson, Assistant to the Bishop
Reconciling in Christ/thinking about doing LGBTQIA+ ministry and not sure what to do next? Want to support immigration reform or learn about being a sanctuary church? Ready to launch your own congregational racial justice team? Get involved in community-based outreach in culturally competent and beginner-friendly ways. A “walk out with a plan”, interactive and hands-on workshop for those ready to get started! -
Encountering Jesus: Synod Assembly 2021 Highlighting Congregational Mission
As part of Synod Assembly 2021, we highlighted mission at Union, York and St. Stephen, New Kingstown -
Lower Susquehanna Synod Homelessness and Affordable Housing Task Force Eviction Moratorium Resources
With the anticipated end to Pennsylvania’s evictions moratorium, there are many people who may be reaching out to churches for help. Our synod’s Homelessness and Affordable Housing Task Force offers this video and resources to assist congregations working with people finding themselves unsheltered, lost, and alone.
https://www.lss-elca.org/Eviction%20Moratorium%20End%20--%20Faithful%20Response%20UPDATED.pdf -
Edification Day 2021 - Toward Racial Justice: Where does our congregation begin?
Dr. Kristen Albert
In our affirmation of baptism, we promise “to serve all people following the example of Jesus; and strive for justice and peace in all the earth.” As members of a denomination populated predominantly with white individuals of European descent, we can feel challenged and even overwhelmed when considering how to begin this work towards racial justice and equity for Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC). Do we create a task force? And if we do, what does that even mean? What actions do we take? How do we go about initiating conversations around the issues of racial justice in our congregation? We can feel ill-equipped and far from believing we are even qualified to step out as leaders in the realm of racial justice and equity. In this session, Dr. Kris Albert and her team from the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Lancaster, will share insights into their learning and discernment since they began their journey in August 2020. -
Lower Susquehanna Synod Assembly 2019: Carla's Story.
In the Lower Susquehanna Synod's 2019 Assembly video, learn how, in partnership with the ELCA, the mission support experiment positively impacts the lives of people in our communities. -
Edification Day 2021 - Our Faithful Response to Conspiracies
Rev. Matthew Best, Pastor at St. Stephen’s Lutheran, New Kingston
Conspiracy theories are not new, they just change over time – and unfortunately they are ideas that can’t be ignored. We’ll discuss the drivers for conspiracy theories and learn about the five myths that run through all conspiracies, why they attract people, and what our faithful response is to people caught up in conspiracy theories. We’ll explore how to faithfully navigate those conversations and relationships. -
Edification Day 2021 - Interrupting Racism: Becoming a Stronger Ally
Moses Kavishe, Youth Minister & Gale Wenk duPont, Outreach/Evangelism Director, St Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, Carlisle
We will explore definitions of race, racism and anti-racism and provide an understanding of implicit bias and allyship. We’ll discuss the Golden Rule versus the Platinum Rule, explore the nature of identity in a cultural/societal context, and provide a scriptural basis for allyship. We’ll provide observations of bias events and discuss impressions of participants, and discuss the general principles for bystander intervention when we are witnesses to bias events. Participants will also get to practice intervention techniques and discuss their thoughts and observations in real time.
Moses & Gale recommend watching this video, prior to attending the foum: https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/546850099 -
Season Of Creation: Grace Lutheran, Lancaster is taking action for our common home
The Season of Creation (September 1 – October 4) is a time to renew our relationship with our Creator and all creation through celebration, conversation, and commitment together.
In this video, we are celebrating how Grace Lutheran Church, Lancaster, is taking action for our common home.
We have a Day with Creation as Companion event on October 4, 2021, beginning at 9:30 a.m., King’s Gap Education Center, Carlisle
For more information or to register, visit https://www.lss-elca.org/events/a-day-with-creation-as-companion/ -
Starting a Disability Justice Team – Train in 10 Series
In this installment of our Train in 10 Series, Jessica Davis answers the question, “how do we start a disability justice team?”.
"How do we get started?" "Where do we go from here?" The two most frequently asked questions from congregations inspired the newest resource from Lower Susquehanna Synod Justice Ministries. 'Train in 10' answers your questions in 10 minutes or less, suitable for congregational faith formation, small group learning or devotion, or as a digital temple talk. Have a question you would like answered by an experienced faith leader? Feel free to send them to Rev. Carla at cchristopherwilson@lss-elca.org. New videos are produced every two weeks! -
Starting a Housing Justice Team – Train in 10 Series
In this installment of our Train in 10 Series, Jessica Davis answers the question, “how do we start a housing justice team?”.
"How do we get started?" "Where do we go from here?" The two most frequently asked questions from congregations inspired the newest resource from Lower Susquehanna Synod Justice Ministries. 'Train in 10' answers your questions in 10 minutes or less, suitable for congregational faith formation, small group learning or devotion, or as a digital temple talk. Have a question you would like answered by an experienced faith leader? Feel free to send them to Rev. Carla at cchristopherwilson@lss-elca.org. New videos are produced every two weeks! -
Starting a Racial Justice Team – Train in 10 Series
In this installment of our Train in 10 Series, Jessica Davis answers the question, “how do we start a Racial Justice team?”.
"How do we get started?" "Where do we go from here?" The two most frequently asked questions from congregations inspired the newest resource from Lower Susquehanna Synod Justice Ministries. 'Train in 10' answers your questions in 10 minutes or less, suitable for congregational faith formation, small group learning or devotion, or as a digital temple talk. Have a question you would like answered by an experienced faith leader? Feel free to send them to Rev. Carla at cchristopherwilson@lss-elca.org. New videos are produced every two weeks! -
Starting an Immigration Support Team – Train in 10 Series
In this installment of our Train in 10 Series, Jessica Davis answers the question, “how do we start a Immigration Support team?”.
"How do we get started?" "Where do we go from here?" The two most frequently asked questions from congregations inspired the newest resource from Lower Susquehanna Synod Justice Ministries. 'Train in 10' answers your questions in 10 minutes or less, suitable for congregational faith formation, small group learning or devotion, or as a digital temple talk. Have a question you would like answered by an experienced faith leader? Feel free to send them to Rev. Carla at cchristopherwilson@lss-elca.org. New videos are produced every two weeks!
