Honoring Black Voices Through Music and Poetry

During our February discussion group, we explored how Black voices have shaped American culture throughout history. Much of our conversation centered on the profound influence Black artists have had on nearly every genre of American music — and how often those foundational contributions have been overlooked, minimized, or erased. We were struck by when many of these works were created and by how powerfully they still resonate today, reminding us that progress toward racial equity has been uneven and incomplete.

Together, we asked difficult questions: Why do societies so often fail to learn from the harms of the past, allowing injustice and division to persist? What is it about fear — of difference, of not belonging — that leads us to construct hierarchies instead of communities?

As Maya Angelou reminds us, “History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again.”

  

 

(Click on the images above to see examples of their artistic gifts to us)

February is Black History and Culture Awareness Month

In 2026, our RIC team is highlighting a different inclusion and justice topic each month. February is Black History and Culture Awareness Month, and we will gather to celebrate the rich artistic, cultural, and spiritual contributions of Black and African American communities that have shaped our shared life and faith.

At the same time, we acknowledge the painful history of racism, inequity, and oppression in both our nation and the church. We invite you to explore this resource from the National Day for Racial Healing to deepen your understanding of how we arrived here and how we can move forward together toward genuine racial equity.

Have Hope

In the wake of events occurring in the city of Minneapolis, MN we look for spiritual guidance on how to offer support and solidarity for our neighbors experiencing unfathomable fear and injustice.

Reading from Matthew this morning, the Holy Spirit offered this.

Matthew 12:18-21 (CSB) 18 Here is my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. 19 He will not argue or shout, and no one will hear his voice in the streets. 20 He will not break a bruised reed, and he will not put out a smoldering wick, until he has led justice to victory. 21 The nations will put their hope in his name.

I know that verse is directly meant for Jesus. But is it possible for us to recognize other people in that verse? When I read it I also think about Martin Luther King, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Gandhi, and Mother Teresa. They were flawed of course, and not perfect as Jesus; but certainly they had the Spirit of the Lord upon them? And certainly their messages gave hope. I too have hope.

January is Poverty Awareness Month

Our FFF discussion group talked about what poverty is, how it impacts our communities, and ways we can help address our community’s needs. This study guide is a resource you can use to learn and think more about poverty in your own community. 

https://www.inclusive-church.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Poverty-Study-Guide.pdf

Advent brings Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love

During this season of anticipation, take a moment each week to reflect on the themes of Advent - Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. Here is a devotional from ReconcilingWorks that you may enjoy. Written by Rev. Liza Hawkins (she/they), this resource offers weekly reflections, prayers, and actions to help you and your community prepare their hearts for the coming of Christ.

https://www.reconcilingworks.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ReconcilingWorks-Advent-Devotional-2025.pdf

2 Timothy 4:1-5

 
4 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word, be urgent in season and out of season, convince, rebuke, and exhort, be unfailing in patience and in teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own likings, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander into myths. 5 As for you, always be steady, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry.

NRSVue

"A Welcoming, Accessible Church"

 On Sunday, October 12, 2025, we spent some time discussing ways we can be more welcoming and inviting to our siblings in Christ who are neurodivergent.  

We used an article from the summer issue of Living Lutheran, "A Welcoming, Accessible Church," as our jumping off point for discussion.  The article gives some information about what neurodivergence is, and includes a link to a study guide that offers more information.  

From the article, "Neurodivergence—a term encompassing conditions such as autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia and other cognitive variations—represents a growing area where understanding and accommodation are essential." Neurodivergent people have different strengths and can see the world in different ways from neurotypical people.  It's important to remember that there is no "normal" way for a brain to work.  We are all different and unique!

Using the article, available here, we began our discussion using examples of families who found warmth within a church that was willing to meet them where they are.  One child, who is autistic, relates more to nature than to faith, and the pastor began incorporating more language about nature into his sermons.  Another church installed a sensory fence on their property.  We learned there are so many ways to make our church inviting to our neurodivergent siblings!

We discussed ways we could make our own church more welcoming, too.  Some of our ideas were to add information to our "what to expect" page on our website, to include more details about noise levels and areas where folks can move to if they need a moment away.  Two of our youth members talked about friends who are neurodivergent (anonymously) and how they relate to those friends.  They suggested having noise-canceling or reducing headphones and fidgets available to anyone who might want them. Another idea was having a blank page in the bulletin for those who need to keep their hands busy when they're listening.

It was such a good discussion and we were delighted at how eager and enthusiastic our members were to provide ideas and suggestions for how to help make our church more welcoming.

If you would like more information on what neurodivergence is and how you, your church, or other organization can work toward being more welcoming to neurodivergent people, consider checking out the Living Lutheran study guide, available here.  You can also find information about neurodivergence online at other sources, or by talking to your doctor.

Our most important takeaway is remembering that listening to our siblings is the best way to make them welcome, and a willingness to meet them where they are can make a huge difference for someone who isn't sure how they might fit in, especially at a new church.