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- Phone: 651.487.7752
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- Mailing Address: 1215 Roselawn Ave. West | Roseville, MN 55113
"But let justice roll down like waters,
and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream"
– Amos 5:24
Thousands of years ago the prophet Amos prayed that justice may roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
It’s a prayer that people around the world have voiced for centuries as they watched time and again, evil triumphing over good; the weak being overcome by the strong. This prayer has been on our lips as well.
Today, in the city of Minneapolis, the waters of justice did indeed begin to roll down. For those in our time who wait and watch, a glimmer of hope has been seen; for those who pray that a new day might dawn, today their prayers are coming to fruition; and for those seeking a better tomorrow, their future has become a little bit brighter.
As we await the ever-flowing stream of God's justice, may we grow in peace and love, with strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow. May we go forward together, knowing that God's arc of love, peace, hope, and justice gives light for all of our shared tomorrows as a people of God.
Lauren J. Wrightsman, Senior Pastor
We share this prayer on this day:
God of all, at the beginnings of creation - out of nothing you separated the waters from the sky; as your children, we have been nourished by your waters in our baptism; indeed, your entire creation is given new life and hope through your life-giving waters.
May the waters of your justice flow as we move forward in faith with you. May the waters of your hope embrace us on our journey towards justice. May the waters of your justice sustain us, keep us, encourage us and lead us. May we be given sustenance, strength and hope to create new pathways for your justice to flow.
Amen
The first trial in the death of George Floyd is underway. The encounter on May 25th last year erupted into widespread outrage, damaged neighborhoods and businesses, numerous protests and calls for reform. This trial is only one step that can lead to healing, peaceful community and just society.
God calls each of us to love our neighbor, without exception, without excuse. This is not always easy to do. Consummate justice will take self-reflection, change of attitude, communal accountability, personal commitment and practiced grace.
Faith-based communities are the moral conscience of society, and Christians individually have a role in leading conversations on justice, healing, recognition and reconciliation. Love God. Love your neighbor. is about creating a world without fear, suspicion or hostility. Love means actively fostering and nurturing the personhood and security of another, usually at some personal cost. It is the way of Christ and forges a path to a more unified, more prosperous community.
It will take courage and deliberate effort by everyone to overcome divisions in our community. RLC has begun this work through:
Council, church leadership and staff will continue to incorporate diversity and racial equity into planning for the long-term health of RLC.
Our hope is for RLC to build bridges of understanding that unify our fractured community. We invite all to join us in these efforts.
Your pastors,
Lauren J. Wrightsman, Senior Pastor
Chris Hagen, Interim Associate Pastor
Rolf Olson, Visitation Pastor
God commands us to “do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly.” (Micah 6:8) The work of ONAM is about justice. As people of faith we will enter the transformative process of taking a stand against racism and embarking upon the life giving journey of reconciliation— we begin right here, in our neighborhood.
Many of you have seen and appreciated the signs around our Roseville Lutheran Church property. Some have inquired about a sign to put in your own yard as a call for justice. Click here to request a yard sign.
(What place does the church have in civil matters?)
The radical message of the Christian narrative of God’s love for the whole world and God’s coming into the world in and through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the foundation, the source, the paradigm for our response to suffering and injustice in our community and in the world.
As one is shaped and formed by this truth, this way, and this life, one is drawn into becoming a follower (a disciple) of Jesus Christ. This creates a new heart open to listen to this story and how this story intersects with our human condition which transforms our lens to an ever deepening relationship to God and inspiring compassion for others, especially for the least, the lost and the less.
This new heart and mind feels and hears other people’s suffering and joins God’s actions through the Spirit, ordering ones priorities to work individually and with others to open lines of communication and build bridges of understanding, respect and care with neighbors living in difficult situations.
This work is a Calling to Ministry for every member of RLC to be alert and attentive to “the point of entry” they have in relating to others using ones life to be the incarnate presence of God’s love to the neighbor and to the world.
Where to start: At Roseville Lutheran we know that when we enter the waters of justice, mission work, and service to our neighbor, we all enter from a different place and perspective. Some people are brand new to thinking about justice and advocacy on behalf of a hurting neighbor. Others have spent years working on and thinking about racial justice. You enter in the place that makes the most sense for you. The key is the courage to enter at all.
Ankle Deep - The language of white privilege and systemic racism may be brand new to you. Perhaps you’re wondering how real or how big the problem actually is. Start with this ankle deep step of educating yourself on some of the lessons that were never taught in most of our high school classrooms. Digging into these articles and videos will help you to learn about some of the historical events and decisions that have led to systemic racism in America.
Knee Deep - If you’re ready to go a little deeper, you’re knee deep. What is happening in our neighborhood, across the Twin Cities, and the state of Minnesota? How has “Minnesota Nice” contributed to segregated neighborhoods, churches and one of the highest achievement gaps in the country? The resources listed here will help us to understand our city and church more deeply and what others are doing to advocate for cultural changes that will include those who have long been excluded.
Heart Deep - When its time to take a look at yourself, your own biases and fragility, you’re heart deep. You might be asking yourself, how can I advocate for my vulnerable neighbors, how can I be an advocate and an ally, what can I do to be a part of a solution rather than complacent and ignorant of these issues? This a time for self assessment and the vulnerability to confront one’s own biases. This isn’t about guilt or shame, its about honest personal growth and discovering a new way to live into God’s call to act with justice.