2023 Black History Month at LSTC
“Reparations: Educate, Liberate and Celebrate!”
The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC) and the Albert and Cheryl Pero Center for Intersectionality Studies were proud to host the 2023 Black History month celebration. The theme for 2023 was Reparations: Educate, Liberate and Celebrate!
It is no secret that Black communities continue to suffer under oppressive regimes, both in the US and globally. Hence, as we attempt to resolve the question, “How do we repair the breach created by decades of harm and oppression?” the overwhelming response is Reparations. And it is in this context, in 2023, that we prayerfully considered how answers may be found through the pursuit of educating ourselves to facilitate the liberation of both mind and body for those continually being harmed. And, as we seek Reparations for the millions of African American and BIPOC people who continue to bear the weight of white privilege and supremacy, we anticipate a triumphant Celebration knowing that our God is ever faithful and true.
You can see photos of Black History Month events on our Flicker and Facebook pages.
Black History Month Worship Services
Every Monday & Wednesday in February at 11:15am
Location: Augustana Chapel (in-person) and via Zoom (online)
Details: Worship services will be held each week during the month of February, featuring Black liturgical traditions.
2023 Black History Month Events: A Historical Record
Wednesday, February 22
Bishop Yehiel Curry, ELCA Chicago Metro Synod
Monday, February 27
Rev. Fanya Buford-Berry, Interim Associate Pastor, Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Naperville
Tuesday, February 28
Closing Chapel Prayer Service
Juneteenth Celebration & Panel Discussion
Date/Time: Feb. 23 at 12:00pm – 4:00pm
Location: LSTC Campus room 350 (in-person)
Details: Juneteenth will also be honored as Dr. Jajuan Johnson, Professor and Research Associate of the Lemon Project at Mary and William College will discuss the history and “The Significance of Juneteenth to African Americans.” The Juneteenth Day events will include:
- 12:00pm – Taste of Blackness with soul food vendors
- 1:00pm – Panel discussion
- 3:00pm – Book discussion on Ralph Ellison book “Juneteenth”
Movie Night
Date/Time: Feb 3 & Feb 24 at 5:00pm
Location: LSTC Campus room 350 (in-person)
Details: Friday Feb. 3rd will be “The Woman King” with Viola Davis. Feb. 24th will be “Black Panther” with Chadwick Boseman. Free popcorn will be available.
Manz Organ Recital with Arthur Griffin
Date/Time: Feb 7 from 12:15 – 12:45
Location: Augustana Chapel on the LSTC Campus (in-person)
Details: Details: Organist Arthur Griffin, Minister of Music at First Baptist Congregational Church of Chicago, is the featured composer for the Manz Organ Recital Series.
Panel Discussion: Reparations: What’s it all about?
Date/Time: Feb. 9 at 5:30pm – 7:00pm
Location: LSTC Campus room 350 (in-person) and via Zoom (online)
Details: This panel will discuss the history of Reparations, and its significance to the Black Community. LSTC’s Dr. Linda Thomas will moderate the discussion, with keynote speaker the Rev. Dr. Iva Carruthers, General Secretary of the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference and Executive Director of the Center for Reparatory Justice, Transformation and Remediation at McCormick Theological Seminary. The second panelist is Dr. Marvin E. Wickware, Jr., Assistant Professor of Church and Society and Ethics at LSTC. Lite refreshments and snacks will be served.
Panel Discussion: Seeking Justice and Reparations for the Land
Date/Time: Feb. 14 at 4:30pm – 6:30pm
Location: LSTC Campus room 350 (in-person) and via Zoom (online)
Details: This panel will explore the justice of reparations for those harmed. Panelists include Dr. Paula Owens Parker, author and program associate for the Katie Canon Center of Womanist Leadership at Union Presbyterian Seminary and Christian Harris, Chairperson of the Oak Park Reparations Task Force and Executive Director of the Oak Park based non-profit Walk-the-Walk, focused on land reparations. Lite refreshments and snacks will be served.
Black Authors Book Signing and African Descent Lutheran Association (ADLA) Reception
Date/Time: Feb. 15 at 5:00 – 8:00pm
Location: LSTC Campus 2nd floor Grand Hallway (in-person)
Details: Book signing for black authors highlighting the work of Ken Wheeler, US Resurgence of American Terrorism and LSTC’s Sharei Green God’s Holy Darkness. A reception sponsored by the African Descent Lutheran Association will follow.
Rest & Restoration Sessions
Date/Time: Feb. 17 at 10:00am – 6:00pm (at your scheduled time)
Location: LSTC Campus Shelf Lounge (in-person)
Details: Beginning at 10:00 am and running throughout the day, hour long sessions will be facilitated encouraging rest and restoration, including:
- 10:00am – Yoga
- 12:00pm – Zumba
- 4:00pm – Spiritual Soaker