Civic and Community Engagement Commons^™

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. 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. 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.