Editor’s note: This post was written by Quentin Bernhard, ELCA Hunger Advocacy Fellow.
Racial justice initiatives through the ELCA Florida-Bahamas Synod and Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania (LAMPa) are the first recipients of Jackie Maddox Racial Justice Advocacy Grants. Maddox, whose contributions to ELCA advocacy are recognized by the grant, served in the ELCA’s Washington, D.C., office until her retirement in 2022.
“Racial justice is not an ‘add on’ to advocacy,” said Amy Reumann, senior director of ELCA Witness in Society. “It is at the heart of the church’s advocacy. Jackie exemplified this awareness in her years with the ELCA’s advocacy team, ensuring our issue analysis and priorities reflect our church’s racial justice commitments.”
The Just Love team was commissioned by the Florida-Bahamas Synod following the police killing of George Floyd in 2020, and faith leaders and communities across Florida have engaged with the team in the work of building beloved, diverse community and doing biblical justice. Their engagement has included advocacy with the Florida Faith Advocacy Office of the Florida Council of Churches, cultural celebrations, resource creation and sharing, education, trainings and retreats. With the grant, the team expects to expand its work in equipping more Just Love ambassadors.
The Just Love team’s mission is to see love established in public, which creates justice for all. The team is composed of lay leaders and rostered ministers in the synod. Two in-person retreats will be held in 2024 for existing and new team members and ambassadors, and the team will develop at least four resources or events. Ambassadors bring Just Love values, practices and programs into their contexts.
“Racial justice is not an ‘add on’ to advocacy. It is at the heart of the church’s advocacy.”
LAMPa, the second new grant recipient, recently launched the Isaiah 58:12 Fellowship, facilitating the empowerment of Lutheran youth in Pennsylvania for racial reconciliation. The fellowship is a micro-grant program that allows youth and young adults to apply for up to $750 for projects in their congregation or community to further racial justice and reconciliation. Up to three fellowships will be awarded, and fellows will be partnered with clergy of color mentors and take part in check-ins and trainings.
“This fellowship was born out of the simple belief that our young people are already doing antiracist and reconciling work,” said Erin Jones, LAMPa communications and advocacy engagement manager. “The church just needs to find ways to support and empower them.”
Jackie Maddox Racial Justice Advocacy Grants support ELCA-affiliated state public policy offices and are awarded to new and sustained racial justice initiatives for a three-year cycle.
Maddox’s long and fruitful career with the ELCA included managing budgets for advocacy activity and for grants to advocacy partners, as well as leadership with the ELCA African Descent Strategy Team Justice Table and the Legal/Risk Management Task Force Team of the ELCA. “We are humbled to be part of Jackie’s legacy and committed to carry on her passionate work toward racial justice,” said Tracey DePasquale, LAMPa director.
