Faith and Society


​“Faithful participation in society is integral and vital to the mission of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.” - Social Statement Church in Society: A Lutheran Perspective
As Lutherans read and study the Bible, roll up their sleeves and collect food, sew quilts, clean up after Tsunamis, and provide shelter for people fleeing war, we hear God's call into the world.  As part of this call, we seek the common good for society, provide moral vision and are committed to addressing social and cultural injustices and issues. In response to God’s gracious love that seeks justice, the ELCA equips and nurtures us for our callings in the world. Here you will find various social messages and statements from the ELCA, other resources and ways that FULC is learning to seek justice in society as a congregation. 
​A Social Message on Government and Civic Engagement in the United States: Discipleship in a Democracy
This message was adopted in June 2020 by the ELCA Church Council.  It is a good tool to help us navigate through this election season. It’s not about whom we vote for, but how we make our decisions. Click the buttons below for the message and a study guide to help you dig through the text.
            AUTHENTIC DIVERSITY
The ELCA and our own Southeastern Synod are challenging congregations such as ours to better reflect the diversity of the people who live in the surrounding neighborhoods. This is part of a strategic initiative toward "Authentic Diversity", which asks our denomination to take steps to help realize God’s vision of a kingdom reflective of the diversity of humanity and justice for all.
​In 2020/21 FULC members and members from other area churches met on Zoom to discuss different aspects of Racial Justice using various curriculum, books, videos and other resources. We compiled a list of helpful resources below. 
​ELCA RESOURCES
​ELCA Anti-Racism Pledge 
African Descent Lutheran Association ADLA ​Website 
Declaration of the ELCA to People of African Descent
Strategy for Authentic Diversity

ARTICLES
"Why It's So Hard to Talk to White People
About Racism"
by HuffPost
"The Daughter of a Slave Who Did the Unthinkable: Build a Bank"
The Wall Street Journal

PODCASTS/WEBINARS/VIDEOS
Black Christian Woman’s Survival Guide
from Truth's Table on Apple Podcasts
Worship and Justice
from a DC area pastor (Bev Metcalf suggests especially listening to minutes 12:30-12:37 & 50-58)
Racial Justice & the Environment Webinar
by Carolyn Finney, UGA school of Forestry & Natural Resources with UGA's Diversity Committee
Diversity in the Church
Advanced Ministry Lectureship Series: Christina Cleveland, Multnomah University
BOOKS
Dear Church. A love letter from a Black Preacher to the whitest denomination in the U.S.
by Lenny Duncan
Me and White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World, and Become a Good Ancester
by Layla F. Saad 
CLICK HERE for PDF Format
Reconstructing the Gospel:
​Finding Freedom from Slaveholder Religion
by Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove

​MISCELLANEOUS
Unconscious Bias Training Website
Implicit Bias Testing Project Implicit