Courageous Conversations are happening every day throughout the week of March 12-16th, 2018-- both in person at Luther Seminary, and online. Join in the conversation as we work to dismantle racism and live in beloved community.
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Courageous Conversations Guidelines:
Conversations that seek the truth and understanding are necessary for individual and collective growth. As Christian Public Leaders, we are committed to engaging in conversations that serve to unite people in heart and in spirit with the core belief that we are, in fact, better together.
As we enter into Courageous Conversations, let us remember that Jesus “himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility.” (Ephesians 2:14 ESV). The following guidelines are constructed to create room for open, thoughtful, and respectful dialogue.
As we enter into Courageous Conversations, let us remember that Jesus “himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility.” (Ephesians 2:14 ESV). The following guidelines are constructed to create room for open, thoughtful, and respectful dialogue.
- Invite the Holy Spirit in the midst of courageous conversations by starting - and ending - with prayer.
- Respect each other and respect the process.
- Avoid assumptions and assume good intent from every group member.
- Pledge to learn, not to persuade or debate.
- You can only tell YOUR story. Speak YOUR truth, using “I” statements.
- Listen to understand, not to reply.
- Be open to a change of heart and a change of mind.
Monday, March 12th:
Tuesday, March 13th:
Online Conversation with Rev. Kenneth Wheeler and Rev. Dr. Dirk Lange
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Wednesday, March 14th:
Lunch Conversation with Francisco Herrera
Join us at 11:45 a.m. in the Dining Center in the Olson Campus Center at Luther Seminary for a Courageous Conversation. Francisco Herrera is a PhD student at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, and is a convener of the #decolonizeLutheranism movement within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
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Thursday, March 15th:
Lunch Conversation with Francisco Herrera
If you aren't able to come on Wednesday, join us today at 11:45 in the Dining Center at the Olson Campus Center.
Online Conversation with Shari Seifert and Francisco Herrera
Join us for an online conversation at 7:30 p.m. from the comfort of your home. The link below will go live by 7:20 p.m.
Alternately, you may join the conversation over the phone, using the following number and meeting ID:
1 646 558 8656 or +1 669 900 6833 Meeting ID: 216 605 6374 Shari Seifert is a member of MARCH (Multi-faith Anti-Racism Change and Healing, and is a member at Calvary Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, where she serves on its Race Equity Committee. |
Friday, March 16th:
Respectful Conversations (and free lunch!) with Dr. Mary Hess and other trained facilitators.
All students, staff, faculty, and the community at large are encouraged to come to this Respectful Conversations workshop from 12:00-3:30 p.m. at Luther Seminary. Lunch will be provided to all participants.
Please RSVP via Facebook by clicking the button below: Please note that this conversation is a bit different from some other events, as it follows a very strict process developed by the Minnesota Council of Churches. Not everyone has the time or interest to be involved in this kind of conversation, and it is important to note that you have to commit to the entire time span (noon to 3:30 pm) to participate. This week is full of opportunities for different kinds of conversation, so please note the details of this one.
Community Time @ Station 280
After all of our Courageous Conversations this week, let's get together at Station 280 down the block for 2-for-1 drinks and some time together as community!
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An overview from Dr. Hess for Friday's Respectful Conversation:
The phrase “white privilege” is a way of talking about a right or immunity granted to or enjoyed by white persons beyond the common advantage of others. In many instances it is a subtle exemption from certain burdens or liabilities commonly placed on persons from communities who are minoritized due to racialization. This phrase does not mean that people who benefit from white privilege are not disadvantaged in other ways in other systems. Instead it is a phrase which points to an analysis of systemic and institutional power dynamics which accrue due to racialization.
Given recent events at Luther, and the challenges that all of us face in our larger spaces, we are inviting everyone who is interested to come to a Respectful Conversation on March 16th which will be focused on this question: What can it mean to confront white privilege at Luther Seminary?
We are clear that questions about race can be heated and have rarely been engaged well. In particular, such conversations can be emotional, pick-a-side and fight-it-out discussions that leave us feeling worse about the people we disagree with, and sometimes worse about ourselves. A Respectful Conversation is deliberately structured to create a different kind of conversation.
This is not a place of debate, but rather one of inquiry and dialogue. Debate is a fine modality and is practiced in other settings. Here we will be using the conversational agreements that have been developed over the last several years by the Respectful Conversations project, which was begun through the Minnesota Council of Churches with support from the Bush Foundation, and is designed to strengthen civic life. Congregations throughout Minnesota have hosted conversations that explore issues through the lens of deeply held convictions while maintaining, even enhancing, relationships among those who disagree.
Past Respectful Conversations at Luther have taken place with regards to the MN marriage amendment (2012), the Luther Seminary financial crisis (2013), the gun debate (2014), and racial justice and community policing (2016).
We will be holding this conversation in a “hyflex” model, which means that it will be available in both “in-person” and “zoom streaming” modalities. This conversation will begin with lunch on March 16th at noon, and conclude at 3:30 pm. Please RSVP so that we know how much food to have available, and what number of zoom rooms we need. If you will be joining us via livestream zoom, you will need to provide your own lunch.
More information is available from Mary Hess ([email protected])
The phrase “white privilege” is a way of talking about a right or immunity granted to or enjoyed by white persons beyond the common advantage of others. In many instances it is a subtle exemption from certain burdens or liabilities commonly placed on persons from communities who are minoritized due to racialization. This phrase does not mean that people who benefit from white privilege are not disadvantaged in other ways in other systems. Instead it is a phrase which points to an analysis of systemic and institutional power dynamics which accrue due to racialization.
Given recent events at Luther, and the challenges that all of us face in our larger spaces, we are inviting everyone who is interested to come to a Respectful Conversation on March 16th which will be focused on this question: What can it mean to confront white privilege at Luther Seminary?
We are clear that questions about race can be heated and have rarely been engaged well. In particular, such conversations can be emotional, pick-a-side and fight-it-out discussions that leave us feeling worse about the people we disagree with, and sometimes worse about ourselves. A Respectful Conversation is deliberately structured to create a different kind of conversation.
This is not a place of debate, but rather one of inquiry and dialogue. Debate is a fine modality and is practiced in other settings. Here we will be using the conversational agreements that have been developed over the last several years by the Respectful Conversations project, which was begun through the Minnesota Council of Churches with support from the Bush Foundation, and is designed to strengthen civic life. Congregations throughout Minnesota have hosted conversations that explore issues through the lens of deeply held convictions while maintaining, even enhancing, relationships among those who disagree.
Past Respectful Conversations at Luther have taken place with regards to the MN marriage amendment (2012), the Luther Seminary financial crisis (2013), the gun debate (2014), and racial justice and community policing (2016).
We will be holding this conversation in a “hyflex” model, which means that it will be available in both “in-person” and “zoom streaming” modalities. This conversation will begin with lunch on March 16th at noon, and conclude at 3:30 pm. Please RSVP so that we know how much food to have available, and what number of zoom rooms we need. If you will be joining us via livestream zoom, you will need to provide your own lunch.
More information is available from Mary Hess ([email protected])