As ambassadors for Christ, Mount Calvary is called to be a congregation that embraces every person regardless of race, ethnicity, culture, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, ability, occupation or class. We believe diversity reflects the beauty of God’s intentions for us. RACE, our Reconciliation and Advocacy Council for Equity, exists to follow Christ’s example of radical inclusivity and equality. Read our Racial Justice Statement here.
Hebrews 12:1
Our Reconciliation and Advocacy Council for Equity (RACE) engages in work that promotes diversity and inclusion in our congregation and uplifts marginalized groups. We believe acceptance doesn’t go far enough—real inclusion requires action. Scripture is our guide as we provide education, opportunities for diverse engagement, and programming for the Mount Calvary staff, congregation and community at large.
We invite you to read these Caller articles to learn more about how RACE started and how RACE was chartered.
2 Corinthians 5:19
The ministry of reconciliation unifies all people in the way God intended on Earth, as in heaven, led by Christ’s example, who showed us that everyone—lepers, Samaritans, prostitutes, anyone marginalized in society—deserves love and dignity. Jesus preached against placing law above humanity; rules over relationship. He was radical about inclusivity and equality. Getting involved in “social justice issues” led to his crucifixion.
As Christians we are called to respond to the imperative of our Creator, to finally love one another in ways we have resisted for millennia.
Ephesians 2:15-16
Start with curiosity.
Let go of preconceived ideas and invite a willingness to learn more from the lived experiences of those who are marginalized.
Make space for new information.
Two things can be true at once. What you know from your life and what someone else knows from their life can co-exist.
Seek out diverse engagement.
Being in relationship with people whose lives are different from our own can inform our actions to better reflect the wholeness of God’s diverse world.
Galatians 3:27-28
The process of lament, confession, repentance and reconciliation help us better understand the historical and present trauma to those who experience racism, discrimination and marginalization, and allow us to take action against systems that perpetuate such outcomes.
Move further along with us on this journey using the following resources curated by the RACE team and MCLC Staff, and the programs we host below.
Be the Bridge is an online resource “to display God’s glory by inspiring the church to have a distinctive and transformative response to racial division.” In 2020 Mount Calvary conducted a virtual Be the Bridge study through CrossPaths, which is available here for self-study or in a group of your choosing. Purchase the book and watch the videos introducing each lesson. For more information or assistance, contact: Heidi Busch at heidi.busch@mountcalvary.org.
In 2022, Mount Calvary hosted a screening and panel discussion of “A Time for Burning,” an Academy Award nominated documentary filmed in 1965 that follows the efforts by the Rev. Bill Youngdahl of Augustana Lutheran Church in Omaha Nebraska, to bridge the racial divide in the community. Although the turbulence Augustana faces is expected during the Civil Rights era, the arguments made in the film almost 60 years ago still sound familiar today and remind us of the sustained struggle both in transforming our institutions and our personal lives.
Mount Calvary Lutheran Church hosted the inaugural Arts+Eats in August 2021. This family-oriented event allows people to experience diverse community engagement designed on the Intentional Social Interaction model developed by Marnita’s Table, an organization that fosters communication across difference. Our theme, “Together is a Wonderful Place to Be,” was our guide for the event that included a feast, music, conversation, children’s activities, and collaborative art.
Going forward we will partner with other churches in our community. Look here for coming details for the next Arts+Eats event!
We invite you to view the 2020 Mount Calvary Digital service, Racial Reconciliation: A Time for Contemplation and Reflection. Infused with poetry from Black contemporary and Harlem Renaissance writers and an excerpt from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s speech, “The Other America,” we hope to lift the voices of those suffering and who have suffered over racism and racist violence.
We can keep you connected whether it is worship, digital, Mount Calvary news, or really entertaining videos.