Racial Equity Bus Trip to Milwaukee
Sunday, June 11, 2023
Thirty-seven people from fifteen ECSW churches attended worship at Greater Galilee Missionary Baptist Church (GGMBC) in Milwaukee on Sunday, June 11, 2023. The goal of the trip was to learn more about our brothers and sisters who have been marginalized for hundreds of years and to begin relationships which may lead to more partnerships or exchanges in the future and continue the work of healing.
Participants enjoyed the friendliness of GGMBC members, the amazing music, and inspiring preaching. We usually reserved Lutherans took part in the call and response singing, clapping, and even enthusiastic “Amens”! It was a service filled with joy. For all the differences, it was beautiful to hear what we have in common: gratitude for the love of God who by grace gave his son to save us. We learned that GGMBC does tremendous outreach through medical, educational, and nutritional programs in one of the poorest zip codes in the United States.
After the service, participants continued conversations with GGMBC members at Daddy’s Soul Food and Grille over delicious food served in a super friendly setting!
The last stop of the day was America’s Black Holocaust Museum. The museum was founded by Dr. James Cameron, who as a young man narrowly missed being lynched and went on to be a leader in the Civil Rights movement. We learned about the many connections with Milwaukee as well as the history from civilizations in Africa to the present day in America.
We would like to offer this trip again next year. It would also be a great experience for confirmation youth.
Begun years ago through a relationship among Gloria and Pastor Harvey Jaeger and GGMBC Deacon Al Hill and his wife Essie, the partnership was continued through the work of Pastor Mark Ziemer and others at Grace Tomahawk. The trip was organized by synod Women of the ELCA and the Racial Equity Team.
Stay tuned to learn more about a Civil Rights Pilgrimage to the south in 2024!
By Shirley Paulson
ECSW Racial Equity Team
