Social Justice Commons^™

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.

The Vanguard (Vol. 24, No. 2), Mar 1977, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

"I'm disappointed the President didn't go further," said Dr. Robert Marshall, president of the Lutheran Church in America (LCA). He made the comment when questioned about President Carter's pardon of Vietnam draft evaders.

Dr. Marshall urged Carter to extend pardons to military deserters and to those given less than honorable discharges.

The Vanguard (Vol. 24, No. 7), Aug-Sep 1977, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

A 70-year old woman rode a bus from Seattle, Washington. ~ young family drove from Pensacola, Florida. They were joined by almost 300 others participating in the 1977 Human Relations Institute at Valparaiso University, July 29-31. The Institute theme of "Faithful Interdependence'' encouraged participants to explore Christian ministries in the pursuit of global justice.

Dr. Elizabeth Bettenhausen, Secretary for Social Concerns in the Lutheran Church in America, addressed the Institute at a Saturday evening dinner. Dr. Bettenhausen had just returned from the Lutheran World Federation Assembly in Tanzania, Africa.

The Vanguard (Vol. 24, No. 1), Jan-Feb 1977, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

The U.S. Government Accounting Office (GAO) has reported that almost 3500 American Indian women were sterilized without their proper consent between 1973 and 1976.

Senator James Abourezk, chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Indian Affairs, released the GAO's report. The subcommittee had requested the GAO study because Senator Abourezk had received many complaints that Indian women were being sterilized as a birth-control method without their knowledge or consent.

The Vanguard (Vol. 24, No. 8), Oct 1977, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

"We want to sensitize all our congregations, to help them recognize all aspects of cultural diversity."

That's the task of a newly created organization, Multi-Cultural Lutheran Education, as described by Dr. Marlin Schulz. Dr. Schulz has a long title to go with his job at Missouri Synod's Board of Parish Education. But his primary responsibility is to encourage and support the development of this new organization.

The Vanguard (Vol. 24, No. 5), July 1977, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

"These people have hired sophisticated ad agencies and twisted the facts. I'm concerned about their potential political impact nation-wide."

That's how Eugene Crawford, National Indian Lutheran Board Director, describes the several so-called "anti-Indian" groups springing up recently across the country.

The Vanguard (Vol. 23, No. 7), Sep 1976, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

The Lutheran World Federation's executive committee - which includes American Lutheran Church President David Preus and Lutheran Church in America President Robert Marshall - has sent an open letter to Prime Minister Vorster of South Africa, urging him to correct injustices in South Africa and Namibia (South West Africa).

The Vanguard (Vol. 23, No. 6), Jul-Aug 1976, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

A resolution calling for support of American Indians as they seek treaty rights and assistance in legal action was adopted at the annual meeting of the Lutheran Human Relations Association of America. The National Indian Lutheran Board earlier had asked Lutheran churches and organizations to adopt the statement. (VANGUARD, June 1976)

The Vanguard (Vol. 23, No. 4), May 1976, Lutheran Human Relations Association Of America

The Vanguard

Dr. Robert Marshall, President of The Lutheran Church in America and Dr. David Preus, President of the American Lutheran Church were among 27 U.S. religious leaders who have urged Congress to pass the Right-to-Food resolution suggesting that such action "would be a worthy way for the nation to mark its bicentennial."