Lutheran Campus Ministry programs are uniquely positioned to create and hold space for hard, important conversations like confronting racism, said Kate Reuer Welton, campus pastor at the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities. Welton has met with students, faculty and staff to develop a two-tiered strategy for addressing racism. One focuses on building relationships and community, and the other on internal initiatives that include Bible study and preaching about race and racism. If students have a theological grounding of “‘our call to stand on the margins,’ then we will be facing a much brighter future,” she said.
Young leader sets the tempo
At 24, Claudia Karola Santos Serrano is already deciding the future of her church in Puerto Rico. Since around age 7, she has quietly observed the needs of fellow congregants…