Tucson Lutherans Discuss Allyship and Justice

About 30 people from across Tucson gathered at Lutheran Church of the Foothills (and Zoom) on Saturday, August 12 to talk about allyship and advocacy and how Lutherans can work together for justice. Pastor Naomi Hartman (Foothills) led the conversation providing introductory information and thought-provoking questions about ways Lutherans can put our faith into action in support of those in need of support and solidarity.

Pastor Naomi grounded the conversation in the ELCA's call to be church in society and commitment "defend human dignity, to stand with poor and powerless people, to advocate justice, to work for peace, and to care for the earth in the processes and structures of contemporary society." (ELCA Social Statement, 1991).

We discussed a range of Tucson realities - access to housing, food insecurity, need for visible LGBTQ+ welcome from congregations, and the rise of Christian Nationalism, among other topics. Folks from Foothills, Our Saviour's, New Spirit, Beautiful Savior, Streams in the Desert, and some "free-range" Lutherans were present.