The witness of seven historic Caribbean Synod Lutheran churches, several established more than a century before the United States was even a country, reveal a lot about the struggle for liberation amid white privilege, oppression, slavery and economic and social status. Their stories also point out the difficulty of any church to be prophetic, bold and true to the gospel while serving a culture whose values and practices clash with those of Our Lord. These are issues many North American churches also need to face.

Download a free six-page study guide for “The oldest ELCA church resides in the U.S. Virgin Islands,” which appeared in the January/February 2023 print issue of Living Lutheran. Access the guide by clicking on “Download Now” in the “Study Guide” box to the right.

Robert C. Blezard
Robert C. Blezard is pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Aberdeen, Md., and editor of Living Lutheran's study guides. Previously he served as an assistant to the bishop of the Lower Susquehanna Synod.

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