We have five distinct programmatic groups working in various ways on different pieces of racial justice:

  1. Unite Table
  2. Leaders of Color
  3. Racial Justice Liaisons
  4. AMMPARO
  5. Muslim Solidarity Task Force

Unite Table

History and Charter

The Unite Table grew out of an ad hoc working group formed in 2008 and became an official table within the synod structure by action of the synod assembly in 2012. That action enacted the charter by which the table’s activities are structured and guided.

The Unite Table shall facilitate a process for the Minneapolis Area Synod to identify & implement goals, strategies & tactics for:

  1. Increasing racial diversity,
  2. Addressing institutional racism within synod structures, and
  3. Measuring and evaluating progress (on goals) and effectiveness (of strategies and tactics).

The Unite Table accomplishes these goals through three main efforts:

Leaders of Color

The Leaders of Color group was formed in 2018 when Rev. Elizabeth Eaton, the Presiding Bishop of the ELCA was in Minneapolis for our synod assembly. With a bit of the free time she was here, it was decided that a group of our leaders of color would have a chance to meet with her. The group decided to continue meeting and it has become a place of fellowship and community.

The group is comprised entirely of leaders in our synod who identify as People of Color. The group describes itself as:

  • A safe, brave, and healing space for Leaders of Color in the Minneapolis Area Synod
  • A place to share stories and experiences
  • A group that supports upcoming leaders of color
  • A space for finding solutions and sharing opportunities

If you are a Leader of Color in our synod, please reach out and identify yourself to Jessie Goeke to be added to the email list.

Congregational Racial Justice Liaisons (and Teams)

The 2016 Synod Resolution Addressing Racial Injustice calls for congregations to choose a leader as their Congregational Racial Justice Liaison (liaisons sign up here). The resolution also called for the synod to support the work of congregational racial justice liaisons and teams. From September to May, the synod’s Unite Table hosts bi-monthly liaison gatherings as one source of support.

The liaison gatherings provide time for listening to guest and peer speakers, networking, education, and resource sharing about a range of issues and approaches in congregational racial justice work. Liaison gatherings are open to all people committed to racial justice. You can find upcoming dates on the synod calendar or the Unite Table Facebook page.

AMMPARO – Addressing Immigration

The Spanish word amparo refers to the protection of a living creature from suffering or damage. In 2016, the ELCA approved what it calls its AMMPARO strategy (Accompany Migrant Minors with Protection, Advocacy, Representation, and Opportunities). Learn more about this churchwide initiative at www.elca.org/ammparo, and by reading a summary of the initiative.

AMMPARO’s main goal is the awakening, engaging, and equipping of Lutherans in their baptismal calling to be in solidarity with oppressed immigrants. Each congregation or individual is called by God to use their own unique gifts in this effort, so each journey will look different.

Guardian Angels is a national AMMPARO program through which individuals volunteer to serve as observers in juvenile immigration court and help connect minors with needed services.

Watch a video about Guardian Angels

With the Whipple Federal Building at Fort Snelling so close, the Guardian Angel program offers nearby engagement opportunities. The program is leadership:

Muslim Solidarity Task Force

Supporting Minneapolis Area Lutherans in our 2017 resolution to learn, build relationships and take action for peace, with and on behalf of our Muslim neighbors. Click here to view the resolution.

The resolution established a Muslim Solidarity Task Force that has hosted trainings for synod congregations to engage with their Muslim neighbors.

We invite you to join in our efforts to learn, engage, and grow in relationships – like our Facebook page to see updates and events.