Racial Justice Group

The Racial Justice Group's purpose statement was adopted by the Congregational Council in September of 2020:
As persons called to love one another as God has loved us, we therefore commit to confront and exorcise the sins of silence and inaction in the face of injustice, racism, and white privilege in ourselves, the church, and society.

The Racial Justice Group meets regularly to create educational opportunities, build relationships, and provide pathways for the congregation to live out this purpose statement. Contact the church office if you would like to join this group.

Learn about the ELCA's racial justice ministries and read the ELCA's Declaration to people of African descent. Midvale held a congregational study of the ELCA declaration in April, May and June, 2022.

Black history class offered this fall

A new learning opportunity will be offered at Midvale this fall: “Black History for A New Day.” This is a 9-week class developed by the Black-led Nehemiah Center in Madison and its President and Founder, the Rev. Dr. Alex Gee.

The course includes 9 lectures by UW-Madison faculty and Nehemiah staff, contemporary reflections by Pastor Gee, and small group discussions focusing on the healing and transformation of racial injustice in our neighborhoods, the city of Madison, and the state of Wisconsin. The format is a 2-hour meeting once a week (1 hour of a recorded lecture, 1 hour for small group discussion).

Because of a generous grant from the Midvale Endowment Committee, a small group class is being offered at Midvale this fall for free! The number of participants this fall is limited to foster deeper small group reflection, sharing and connection.

Interested? Contact the church office at info@midvalelutheran.org or 608-238-7119 to reserve your spot or learn more. 

Relationship with Bethlehem Lutheran Church, New Orleans

Midvale's Endowment Fund made a grant in 2021 to support the Community Table ministry of Bethlehem and a grant in 2022 to support their affordable housing project. To learn more about the congregation and our relationship, read our blog post about it. 

Read about some of Midvale's past and ongoing racial justice efforts.

Check out this list of resources from the Evolution of Systemic Racism class.

Devotion in recognition of Black History Month written by Ben Kempinen