An email sent from Bishop Ann Svennungsen on June 28:
Dear friends in Christ,
Even while I have been busy traveling to the ELCA National Youth Gathering, the events in Minneapolis, the U.S., and the world have been intense. Many are experiencing great pain in the death of another young, African-American man killed in an interaction with police; in the separation of young children from their parents along the border; in the decision by the Highest Court of the Land to allow travel bans that have a national litmus test; in the decision by the Highest Court of the Land to restrict the collective bargaining process, making it more difficult for working people to organize for workplace protections; and in the ruling of the Public Utilities Commission on Line 3. Others within this synod may find their perspectives on these policies re-enforced, but they grieve for the pain of people with whom they are in relationship. Certainly grieving the real pain, lamenting the deep impact on our siblings – locally, nationally, and globally – is a legitimate response for people of faith.
We want to be a praying people, even as we also believe that our prayers must be accompanied by appropriate action.
So, I am asking you to share with us both ideas for prayers and ideas for activities for engagement during a time such as this.
- Will the intercessory prayers at your congregation reflect the brokenness and pain of the society? If so, share some with us.
- Is your congregation doing something to demonstrate your care for your neighbors? Let us know.
This page of the synod website is offered for idea sharing. It won’t be a place for debate; it will be mildly moderated.
Please send your intercessory prayers and your suggestions for engagement to both Jeni Huff and Bob Hulteen. They have agreed to check email regularly during workdays, evenings, and weekends to add to the web page.
You can visit this page to be encouraged, challenged, inspired, or emboldened to action. And, you can share with your members as you discern.
Sample Prayers