Anti-racism resolution |
ELCA Anti-Racism Pledge
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Adopted by the NEOS Assembly May 13, 2023
Resource Links Below |
SA23.05.03 “Resolution: Anti-Racism” (Moved by Reference and Counsel Committee; seconded; carried)
APPROVED To adopt the Anti-Racism Resolution as presented.
Resolution: Anti-Racism
Whereas, Jesus calls us to “love our neighbor as ourselves” in Mark 12:31;
Whereas, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) adopted a social statement in 1993 entitled, Freed in Christ, Ethnicity, Race and Culture, which encouraged the whole church to be committed to the work of anti-racism;
Whereas, on June 27, 2019, the Church Council of the ELCA adopted the following apology: Declaration of The ELCA To People of African Descent;
Whereas, the ELCA adopted a commitment to Renewed Action Regarding Racism toward Lutherans of African Descent in 2016; and
Whereas, there is and will continue to be a need for anti-racism work; now, therefore be it
Resolved that the Northeastern Ohio Synod (NEOS):
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1 Kivel, Paul. Uprooting Racism: How White People Can Work for Racial Justice. 1996. New Society Publishers:
Gabriola Island, B.C. pg. 211.
2 Racial justice is the approach or combined strategies that work to address the inequities of structural racism. It is “the proactive reinforcement of policies, practices, attitudes and actions that produce equitable power, opportunities, treatment, impacts and outcomes for all. Equitable impacts and outcome across race is the key indicator of racial justice.” (Applied Research Center. Racial Justice Education and Action Manual. 2002 revised 7/01/04).
APPROVED To adopt the Anti-Racism Resolution as presented.
Resolution: Anti-Racism
Whereas, Jesus calls us to “love our neighbor as ourselves” in Mark 12:31;
Whereas, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) adopted a social statement in 1993 entitled, Freed in Christ, Ethnicity, Race and Culture, which encouraged the whole church to be committed to the work of anti-racism;
Whereas, on June 27, 2019, the Church Council of the ELCA adopted the following apology: Declaration of The ELCA To People of African Descent;
Whereas, the ELCA adopted a commitment to Renewed Action Regarding Racism toward Lutherans of African Descent in 2016; and
Whereas, there is and will continue to be a need for anti-racism work; now, therefore be it
Resolved that the Northeastern Ohio Synod (NEOS):
- identifies itself as an anti-racist synod; meaning it is in the “process of actively and consistently confronting racism wherever it occurs”.1
- reaffirms the commitment of this church to create, sustain and reinvest in local African descent communities, congregations and ministries; (Renewed Action Regarding Racism Toward Lutherans of African Descent, August 2016)
- urges congregations and individuals of the NEOS to consider partnering with the One Body, Many Members Anti-Racist Conversations Affinity Group through study, action, conversations and relationship building;
- provides regular (every 3-5 years) racial justice 2 training for rostered ministers, using leaders and resources provided by the ELCA; and
- urges individual members of the NEOS to read the ELCA Anti-Racism Pledge and consider signing and committing to one or more of its actions.
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1 Kivel, Paul. Uprooting Racism: How White People Can Work for Racial Justice. 1996. New Society Publishers:
Gabriola Island, B.C. pg. 211.
2 Racial justice is the approach or combined strategies that work to address the inequities of structural racism. It is “the proactive reinforcement of policies, practices, attitudes and actions that produce equitable power, opportunities, treatment, impacts and outcomes for all. Equitable impacts and outcome across race is the key indicator of racial justice.” (Applied Research Center. Racial Justice Education and Action Manual. 2002 revised 7/01/04).
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