February 2024 Newsletter
Black History Month
Talks at the Desk videos - Celebrate Black History Month with season three of “Talks at the Desk,” a four-part video series by ELCA African Descent Ministries. This season focuses on the Reclaim Gathering and will explore its themes: reclaim, embolden, embody, and liberate. A new video will premiere each Wednesday in February at 8:30pm Eastern time. Watch live at YouTube.com/ELCA.
Black History Month: What It Means to Me - In honor of Black History Month, ELCA Racial Justice Ministries invited Seminarian Clair Minson to share her thoughts on their blog.
Lent materials
From Global Refuge (formerly LIRS)
From ELCA Sumud (formerly Peace Not Walls) - Following the way of Jesus: A Lenten Holy Land Journey
From Cole Arthur Riley - book, Black Liturgies and additional weekly reflections for all paid Patreon subscribers.
Congregational Leaders Workshop
Clergy and lay congregational leaders are invited to apply to attend Beyond Horror and Shame: Legacies of the Holocaust for Faith Communities and the Future, held at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum from April 9-11. The workshop will be led by Rev. Dr. Peter Pettit, a member of the ELCA Consultative Panel on Lutheran-Jewish Relations. Applications are due February 23.
Pittsburgh Racial Justice Summit
The Pittsburgh Racial Justice Summit was rescheduled and will be held Saturday, February 24 from 1-6pm on Zoom. The theme is “From Othering to Bridging: Reconnecting for Social Change”. The goal of the event is to engage and empower the entire community present in discussions about how to build connections and coalitions across differences to collectively work toward racial justice in Pittsburgh and beyond. Find registration information here.
Kindling Faith Events at ULS
The Kindling Faith: Center for Sabbath Rest and Formation at ULS is offering many upcoming events online, including Holy Land, Unholy War on February 24 at 11am, and Toward Racial Justice Training on February 25 & 26 from 6-8:30pm.
Sisters Celebrating Diversity
Sisters Celebrating Diversity is a local group whose mission is to promote healing and unity in the body of Christ by providing training, education, and opportunities for fellowship as we embrace and celebrate racial, ethnic and cultural diversity. Their events are open to all; registration information can be found here.
Our Neighbor’s Journey Towards Reparations: Thursday, Feb. 29, 6:15-8:30pm at Bethel AME Church (2720 Webster Ave, Pittsburgh) - Join SCD in conversation with Rev. Prudence L. Harris, Associate Minister of Bethel AME Church about the biblical principle of reparations and the history of Bethel AME's current work.
Our Neighbors at Light of Life: Saturday, March 23, 10am-12:30pm at Light of Life Rescue Mission (234 Voeghtly St, Pittsburgh) - Join SCD for an interactive program with Rev. Lloyd Massie debunking the myths of homelessness in Pittsburgh. The event will include praise and worship, a guided tour, and a continental breakfast.
Our Neighbor’s Experience with “Everyday Racism”: Thursday, April 25, 6:15-8:30pm at MACS Museum Lab (6 Allegheny Square, Pittsburgh) - Join SCD to hear stories from Dr. Beverly Harris-Schenz, author of Living While Black: My Experience with "Everyday Racism" and Mary Martin: Black Government-Girl from Hillsboro.
Concert for the Human Family
On Saturday, March 9 at 7:30pm at Calvary Episcopal Church (315 Shady Ave, Pittsburgh), join this transformative musical journey that bridges worlds and weaves stories of shared human experiences. Kory Caudill, a virtuosic pianist, and Wordsmith, a prolific spoken-word artist, have teamed up to create "A Concert for the Human Family." Their harmonious blend of Appalachia, virtuosic piano, Hamilton-like narratives, and modern pop has been celebrated and embraced across the nation. More information and tickets are available here.
SWPA Synod MLK Event - April 7, 2024
Join us on Sunday, April 7, 2024 at House of Prayer Lutheran Church (2100 W Irwin St, Aliquippa) for The Legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: Fires of Freedom and Cloud of Witnesses.
Schedule for Sunday, April 7
2pm - Pre-Event in Aliquippa at Uncommon Grounds
4pm - Panel Discussion "Civil Rights Leaders of Yesterday and Today"
Breakout space for children and youth
5:30pm - Dinner from the Little Free Food Truck
6:30pm - Worship with Holy Communion, with the Rev. CeCee Mills preaching and Bishop Kurt Kusserow presiding
A livestream will be available for the worship service as well as for the panel discussion.
Childcare for children age 0-5 is available during this event. Please pre-register for childcare here.
LAMPa Lutheran Day in the Capitol
Save the date! Join LAMPa and advocates from across the Commonwealth in Harrisburg on Thursday, May 9 for Lutheran Day in the Capitol and Gala Celebration of Advocates. Participants will also be celebrating the 45th anniversary of LAMPa and 50th anniversary of ELCA World Hunger.