Asset Mapping
Is our only “gift” money? One of the hurdles we encounter in
companion relationships is figuring out who we are in relation to
one another. This session will help us go beyond the things we do
to who we are. Besides learning our own gifts we’ll master a tool
that can be used in many settings, and that always leaves people
feeling the glass is half full.
Sustainable
Development
Do you find more of your synod’s or congregation’s groups
traveling overseas to accompany others in social projects? Learn
the basics of sustainable development and learn how to discern
whether a particular project is self-sustaining and will truly
enhance a community, or will only create harmful dependency.
Cross-Cultural
Relations
When we step into an unfamiliar situation, our first reaction is
fear. This track will help identify our impulses when we interact
with people who are different than us, and give us tools to
overcome barriers to an authentic, cross-cultural relationship.
Racism: What DO Whites Have to Lose?
When white people think about racism, a variety of emotions can
surface. We may feel guilty for a particular interaction with a
person of color. "Why did I just say that? That wasn't what I
meant to say." We may feel shame in knowing that racism still
exists, but we are not sure how to make things different. "I give
to worthy causes. What else can I do?" Or, we may be curious.
"Racism is a thing of the past, why do people of color still bring
it up?" Our emotions are usually in relation to the other, to
people of color, about the damage racism does to them. But what
about us? What does the institution of racism cost white people?
What do we have to lose as racism continues to permeate our
society?
Come to this to explore the cost of racism for white people.
Interfaith Dialogue
Why should Christians bother with interfaith dialogue? What are
the
resources within the Christian tradition that motivate us for and
inform
this dialogue? How can we prepare ourselves for it? This track
will
concentrate on the particular case of Christian-Muslim dialogue -
the
special interest of the presenters. Through a combination of
presentations, Bible study, Qur'an reading (in English
interpretation)
and plenary and small-group discussion, participants will have an
opportunity to prepare for and/or reflect upon the encounter of
Christians with people of other faiths.
Leaders:
Michael Shelley is the new Director of the Center for
Christian-Muslim Engagement for Peace and Justice, and Mark
Swanson is the Harold S. Vogelaar Professor of Christian-Muslim
Studies and Interfaith Relations, both at the Lutheran School of
Theology at Chicago. They both served long terms as ELCA
missionaries in Cairo, Egypt.
Hunger 101: A simulation with workshops
Hunger 101 provides participants the opportunity to take on the
role of someone in the United States who is hungry. During the
simulation, participants attempt to get enough food to feed their
families for one day by visiting a grocery store, food shelf, and
food stamp office.
The Hunger 101 experience includes choices among five
complementary workshops covering these subjects: advocacy, simple
living, ELCA Hunger Appeal, ELCA Domestic grants and Hunger 101
in-depth.
The experiences in this track provide the starting point for an
in-depth discussion about hunger and supports a strong call to
action. The track helps participants understand the complex,
intersecting economic and social circumstances that lead to and
perpetuate hunger, while nurturing compassion and empathy. It
motivates participants in the fight against domestic hunger and
poverty and provides specific suggestions for how to take action.
Hunger 101 will be located at the Newman Center, several blocks
from Mershon, the venue for the plenary sessions.
google map directions here
Leaders:
THE REV. MARK PETERS has been Executive Director for the Lutheran
Coalition for Public Policy in Minnesota (LCPPM) since 1985. Among
the oldest of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s 20
public policy offices, LCPPM advocates with and on behalf of those
living in poverty, those living with hunger, those needing medical
assistance, and on a variety of social justice and environmental
issues supported by the social statements and Biblical
understandings of the ELCA.
JULIE BASKA serves as the Minnesota Hunger 101 Simulation
Coordinator for the Southeastern and Southwestern Minnesota Synods
of the ELCA. Her position was created through a grant from the
ELCA to educate and promote advocacy around the issue of domestic
hunger in Minnesota through the use of Minnesota Hunger 101, an
interactive education simulation. Julie formerly served as
Communication Director for the Southeastern Minnesota Synod, ELCA.
