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The Vanguard (Vol. 17 [27], No. 4), May 1980, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

By only a one vote margin, in a secret ballot, the national board of American Lutheran Church Women (ALCW) declined to renew the contract of ALCW executive director, Julie Stine.

Most board members did not wish to have their names attributed to their comments. Stine is portrayed by some as "less traditional, more wholistic" in her view of women's role in the church. According to others, her feminism was threatening to some women and men in the church.

The Vanguard (Vol. 27, No. 2), Mar 1980, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

Lutherans have been asked to conduct a series of 15 workshops for 750 employees of the city of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The city government made this request because of the success of "Grace and Race" workshops sponsored by Lutherans in South Dakota over the past several years.

These "Grace and Race" workshops sought to help Lutherans overcome racism and sexism in their day-to-day relationships as well as in the larger context of social justice in American society. The presence of a large number of Indians in South Dakota gave special urgency to these workshops.

The Vanguard (Vol. 27, No. 9), Nov 1980, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

"The bill does not call for a large increase in overall aid funding but rather stresses reforming and redirecting aid.''

Passage of such legislation is the ambitious aim of this year's Offering of Letters, sponsored again by Bread for the World, a Christian citizenship movement directed by Lutheran pastor Art Simon.

Entitled "Hunger and Global Security," the offering of letters (letters sent to elected officials) will encourage Congress to redirect U.S. foreign aid to poor nations committed to meeting "basic human needs" in their countries-rather than funding arms build-up or elaborate redevelopment schemes.

The Vanguard (Vol. 27, No. 8), Oct 1980, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

"We have to be assertive, straight about our feelings, but we're not in a battle zone.''

That's how Joyce Peltzer described the new opportunities and the new openness for disabled persons in the church at the first National Consultation of Disabled Lutherans.

The late-August event in Kansas City, Missouri, was sponsored by the American Lutheran Church, where Peltzer is a program specialist in ministry with persons with handicapping conditions.

The Vanguard (Vol. 17 [27], No. 5), June 1980, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

Turning back a proposal from its board of pensions, the executive council of the Lutheran Church in America has declined to settle the issue of health plan coverage of seriously handicapped children.

Earlier the LCA's Court of Adjudication had ruled that the handicapped adopted children could be excluded from the church body's Ministerial Health Benefits Plan only if all seriously handicapped persons were-spouses, natural children, the ministers themselves

The Vanguard (Vol. 27, No. 10), Dec 1980, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

Susan Ruehle and Charles Ruehle were named directors of the Lutheran Human Relations Association of America (LHRAA) by the Association's board of directors at the board's special meeting, December 13, in Philadelphia.

Susan and Charles Ruehle were elected to the Association's top professional staff position after interviews with three candidates from among the almost 40 persons who applied for the job.

The Vanguard (Vol. 26, No. 10), Dec 1979, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

A national assembly to address women's concern and an inter-Lutheran commission on women will have to wait-or perhaps remain just a fond dream.

hat's because of action taken at the regular fall meeting of the church body presidents and top executives who govern the Lutheran Council in USA. The meeting indicated that a proposal from the standing committee of the Council's Division for Mission and ministry (DMM) represented "new work" that could not be pursued unless requested by the four church bodies in the Council.

The Vanguard (Vol. 26, No. 1), Feb 1979, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

Just when many had come to think Custer was the name of a state park and the spirit of Native Americans caught in tourist attractions, the dust began to stir on reservations. American Indians, seemingly divided by tribal distinctions and geographic distances, were unanimously calling the country to account for its outrageous dealings with Indians over the years.

South Dakota became a focal point, and it was there in 1971 that Indians helped Lutherans develop a unique ministry in a structure called the National Indian Lutheran Board (NILB). NILB and other Lutherans were to play a key role as the …

The Vanguard (Vol. 26, No. 6), July 1979, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

"We see no theological rationale for revising the church's traditional teaching that homosexual erotic behavior violates God's intent."

That comment is part of a 16-page draft statement, "Human Sexuality and Sexual Behavior," approved in mid-June by the American Lutheran Church's Standing Committee for the Office of Research and Analysis (ORA). The statment's one-page treatment of homosexuality is actually a revision of a draft statement adopted by the ORA's standing committee in March 1977.

The Vanguard (Vol. 26, No. 5), June 1979, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

"No insurance company can write insurance on burning buildings and stay in business very long."

The burning buildings in this case are severely handicapped children, and the insurance company is the Lutheran Church in America's Board of Pensions.

Dr. Edwin Wang used this analogy to explain the LCA's decision, beginning in 1976, to deny health and pension plan coverage to children adopted by LCA professional church workers-if those children have pre-existing severe handicaps. Any severely handicapped person who wants to enter the ministry in the LCA would also be ineligible for health and pension coverage.

The Vanguard (Vol. 26, No. 4), May 1979, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

Winter clobbered the midwest with heavy snow and high winds even though Spring was supposed to be here. Yet 65 people from all across Wisconsin traveled to Madison for the March 24 conference of Lutheran Human Relations Association-Wisconsin (LHRAA-Wisconsin).

They heard the state's immediate past governor, Martin Schreiber, describe how "tax laws work to the advantage of those with more money." He pointed out, however, that ever since 1911 Wisconsin has been a leader in progressive, more equitable tax policies.

The Vanguard (Vol. 26, No. 3), Apr 1979, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

Richard Hatcher, mayor of Gary, Indiana, will be the speaker for the Saturday evening supper of the 1979 Human Relations Institute, July 27-29, at Valparaiso University.

Hatcher was one of the first black persons to be elected mayor of a major city. He is frequently mentioned for top posts in the Carter Administration but has chosen to fulfill his commitment to urban America as Gary's mayor.

The Vanguard (Vol. 26, No. 2), Mar 1979, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

Fortunately, the annual conference of the National Indian Lutheran Board (NILB), was filled with exceptions. From Veronica Murdoch, executive director of the National Congress of American Indians, and from other respected Native Americans, they heard the bad news:

Indians are still feeling the sharp sting of racism and injustice. Poverty and despair have left lasting wounds. And the church and government seem to persist in their apathetic and inadequate response.

The Vanguard (Vol. 26, No. 8), Oct 1979, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

In mid-September-coinciding with National Hispanic Week-church workers and lay people involved in Hispanic ministry met in Los Angeles for the Missouri Synod's second annual Hispanic conference.

The participants took advantage of their Southern California setting by hearing from one of the state's Representatives, Congressman Edward Roybal. They also visited the barrios and Lutheran congregations in the Los Angeles area.

The Vanguard (Vol. 26, No. 7), Sep 1979, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

"The strength I see, the hope I have, is that we are here tonight."

With those words, LHRAA's immediate past president Robert Skare described how the 1979 Human Relations Institute was itself an embodiment of the weekend's theme-"People of Vision, People for Promise: developing Christian leadership for social justice in the 1980s."

The Vanguard (Vol. 26, No. 9), Nov 1979, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

More than eight million children in the U.S. have inadequate diets yet go to schools without breakfast programs. Half of those eligible for food stamps do not receive them. More than 25 million Americans exist on incomes lower than the poverty level (about $7000 for a family of four).

To demonstrate the needs of these hungry Americans, Bread for the World is targeting its 1979-80 "offering of letters" to encourage Congress to mandate a U.S. hunger survey. Bread for the World Director Arthur Simon feels the survey will benefit "the hidden poor who slip through the cracks between our various …

The Vanguard (Vol. 25, No. 8), Oct 1978, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

In Iowa, elderly adults can now use food stamps to purchase meals in restaurants. This is especially helpful because many older persons have difficulty preparing their own meals.

This is just one of many innovations of Victor Preisser, Iowa's Commissioner for Social Services.

Preisser, who's created controversy by applying business management to the state's social services, was the speaker for the second annual state-wide meeting of the LHRAA State Council in Waverly, September 9.

The Vanguard (Vol. 25, No. 7), Sep 1978, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

Complete withdrawal of American Lutheran Church investments in firms with South African holdings was urged by the 10th annual national Conference on Inner City Ministry (CICM), June 15-18, in Minneapolis.

CICM's action came after presentations by the Rev. Mxolisi Ntlabati and the Rev. Joe Barndt. Pastor Ntlabati, exiled from his South African homeland, is currently serving Faith Memorial Lutheran Church in Detroit.

The Vanguard (Vol. 25, No. 3), Apr 1978, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

The board of directors of the Lutheran Human Relations Association of America (LHRAA), at its March 10-11 meeting, voted unanimously to endorse the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) and to "express dismay over those 15 states that have failed to ratify the amendment."

The LHRAA staff also indicated they would explore ways to conduct LHRAA meetings in states that have ratified ERA.

The Vanguard (Vol. 25, No. 10), Dec 1978, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

After 40 years of U.S. intervention and support of one of the most unjust and repressive dictatorship in Latin America, President Carter announced on Thursday, November 9, that he was suspending all economic aid to Nicaragua.

Terry Cannon, a New York journalist and I landed in Managua the following day. We had been sent by several organizations to investigate the situation since the bloody civil war, and arrived in the capital city in time to see President Anastasio Somoza's angry televised reply. He made it clear that he will neither resign nor hold a meaningful plebescite.

The Vanguard (Vol. 25, No. 2), Mar 1978, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

For the second year, the Wheat Ridge Foundation has granted $23,700 to the Lutheran Human Relations Association of America (LHRAA) to conduct two workshops for congregations in racially changing neighborhoods.

Last year's workshops involved seven midwest and seven west coast congregations. In the two week-long events - one in Chicago and one in Los Angeles - lay leaders and pastors developed skills to help their congregations minister more effectively in their changing communities (November 1977 and December 1977 VANGUARD).

The Vanguard (Vol. 25, No. 6), July 1978, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

Drawing a dozen or more dolls from a large bag, Marlene Cummins invited a group of children, aged two to 17, to gather around her.

She pointed out different features-racial and physical-in each doll. She then explained how individuals in their very differences enrich the lives of those they touch.

The occasion was LHRAA 's first retreat for transracial families, held in late May at St. Benedict Center in Madison, Wisconsin. The weekend gave the 33 participants-from Indiana. Illinois, and Wisconsin a chance to share their experiences, their problems, their wisdom.

The Vanguard (Vol. 25, No. 1), Jan-Feb 1978, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

"Severe food shortages have come to the people of Vietnam after more than a quarter century of war that greatly damaged agriculture, industry, communications, and the very fabric of society."

The special needs of Vietnam were described in those words by Eugene Thiemann, spokesperson for Lutheran World Relief (L WR).

The Vanguard (Vol. 25, No. 9), Nov 1978, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

For more than three decades, Namibia (formerly Southwest Africa) has waited for independence from South Africa. Again and again, the United Nations called for free elections and full independence.

In April of this year, South Africa finally seemed ready to end its racist, colonial domination of Namibia. In August, an international team of 50 persons traveled to South Namibia. Following their report to the U.N."s Security Council, free elections were to follow-including freedom fighters such as SWAPO (Southwest People's Organization).

The Vanguard (Vol. 25, No. 5), June 1978, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

"Ordained ministers of Christian denominations" may now perform weddings in Valparaiso University's chapel according to an "interim policy" outlined in early May by the school's Chapel Council.

The council is appointed by University President Albert Huegli and he chairs the council's meetings. This student-faculty-staff group recommends policy for the University's worship life, which is then implemented by the chapel's staff

The Vanguard (Vol. 25, No. 4), May 1978, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

The American Lutheran Church's Committee on Racism concluded its three-year assignment in late February. Less than conclusive, however, are the committee's accomplishments.

Earl McGee, IBM affirmative action manager in Rochester, Minnesota, guided the 11-member committee (9 minority persons) through its two-fold task of a) identifying instances of racism and b) developing ways to combat racism.

The Vanguard [Vol. 24, No. 3], Spring 1977, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

This is the disturbing phrase that sticks in my mind from a late evening session of the annual meeting of the National Indian Lutheran Board (NILB) at Tempe, Arizona, February 25. These words came from NILB's director, Eugene Crawford, after we had heard first-hand reports from two young Indian men - Russell Peters of Massachusetts and Roger Gabriel of Maine.

The Vanguard (Vol. 24, No. 10), Dec 1977, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

Lutherans in the United States and Canada quickly voiced strong criticism of the Republic of South Africa's October 19 bannings and arrests of black leaders.

Several Lutheran leaders issued statements condemning the repressive actions (see page 2 for excerpts).

The Vanguard (Vol. 24, No. 4), May 1977, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

Multi-national corporations are finding out they can't count on the church's silence. And Christians have discovered an effective way to witness to justice and compassion.

The Lutheran Church in America, for example, joined with 15 other Protestant and Roman Catholic groups in filing stockholder resolutions with five major U.S. banks.

The Vanguard (Vol. 24, No. 9), Nov 1977, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

Forrest Gerard - the new assistant secretary for Indian Affairs in the Interior Department - has urged Indian leaders to call for the Carter Administration to issue a policy statement on Indian concerns.

Gerard, himself a Blackfoot Indian, made this suggestion in his speech to the recent National Congress of American Indians - the largest and oldest Indian organization.