Consider joining our partners at Kindling Faith as they–and we–engage with the question “What does it mean to be Lutheran in a crucial election year?” The series will focus on ELCA social teachings and how we might learn and engage in with one another around social issues in this election year. Kindling Faith: Learning Never Ends is a program of United Lutheran Seminary (ULS), a seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

From Kindling Faith:

“As our faith informs our day-to-day lives, Lutherans recognize that ‘faith is active in love [and] love calls for justice in relationships and structures of society’ (ELCA, Social Statement on Church in Society, 1991). We also know the church is called to be a community that prays, deliberates, and acts together when it comes to complex social issues. In this election year, how might our Lutheran faith shape our thinking, acting, and voting on major issues? Join us to learn and ponder timely social teachings of the ELCA and to learn tips for leading discussions in your own community.”

Please check out our event pages for each event in the series, and let LAMPa know if you plan to join any of the sessions.

Each learning session will take place online via Zoom from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Participation costs $20 per individual or $80 per congregation with no limit to the number in attendance.

You can register here. Please contact Pastor Martin Otto-Zimmann or your synod office for possible support and payment options.

Learning sessions include those listed below.

June 25 – “Introduction to Social Teachings,” Dr. Roger Willer, Director of Theological Ethics for the ELCA

August 27 – “Corporate Social Responsibility,” Rev. Kaari Reierson, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility for the ELCA

September 8 – “Abortion,” Dr. Caryn Riswold, Professor of Religion/McCoy Family Distinguished Chair in Lutheran Heritage and Mission at Wartburg College

September 24 – “Faith, Sexism and Justice,” Dr. Mary Streufert, Director, Gender Justice and Women’s Empowerment, and Heather Dean, Program Coordinator, Theological Discernment, ELCA

October 8 – “Earth’s Climate Crisis Study Guide,” Dr. Ryan Cumming, Program Director, Theological Ethics, Education, and Community Engagement

October 22 – “Freed in Christ: Race, Ethnicity, and Culture,” Dr. Richard Perry, emeritus faculty, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago