These are called “stumbling stones,” in German, “Stolpersteine.” They are 4” by 4” concrete cubes topped with a brass plate, commemorating victims of Nazi persecution. They can be found throughout Europe, but mostly in Germany. They are placed at the homes of people who were murdered or taken by the Nazis. I find their placement particularly powerful. Rather than names on a memorial in some central place in the village or city, these signs at the entrance to a home remind us that these people existed in everyday life, at home with a family, in a neighborhood. The two stumbling stones in the picture just happened to be right next to the hostel where we were staying in Wittenberg. I admire the Germans for having the courage to face their sin in regard to what happened during the Nazi regime and to do it in a way that is so public and so integrated into daily life.
That said, my purpose is not to talk about Nazi atrocities. Too often we focus on that era to choose an archetypal “bad guy.” My purpose is to draw your attention to sin that is closer to home and continues to cause harm. September 30 is the National Day of Remembrance for Indian Boarding Schools. The purpose of this day is to educate Lutherans about Indian boarding schools through worship, learning opportunities, and communications. By participating, we become a part of an ongoing truth and healing process for both Native peoples and white ELCA Lutherans. To commemorate this day, and to acknowledge our complicity in the history of church-sponsored Indian boarding schools and impact it had on Native people, we encourage everyone to wear an orange shirt.
The orange shirts on September 30 calls us to remember those children who died, those children who were traumatized and their families who suffered the deep grief of having children taken from them. We are also reminded that there was a systematic effort to wipe out the culture and language of the people who long lived in North America. In a way, the orange shirts also serve as “stumbling stones,” visual reminders of the sinful acts of racism and colonialism in which the church took part.
At Synod Assembly 2025, we passed a resolution regarding boarding schools to memorialize the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly in continuing to address the legacies of our church’s role in Indian Boarding Schools through a series of actions which can be read following the link below. I am thankful that we have made a start to confess our sins and to make amends. As we live in a land long-stewarded by The People of the Three Fires, I wonder what else we might do to live as better neighbors to the indigenous Anishinaabe people. We have a small group of people who have started this work and if you are interested in joining them, please reach out to the synod office to make that connection.
This week’s newsletter contains information to learn more about Indian Boarding Schools and I hope you will take the time to educate yourself. Please consider wearing orange on September 30 and using this prayer in your prayer this week:
Today we wear orange to honor and remember all the Indigenous children who went to residential schools. Today we wear orange and pray for the residential schools and intergenerational survivors who are still struggling. Today we wear orange and are thankful for those who speak the truth, and who work to shine a light on injustice. Today we wear orange in the name of compassion and the spirit of truth and reconciliation. Help us, God, to remember and act on this in every day. Amen.
+Bishop Julie
Indian Boarding Schools: ELCA Truth-Seeking and Truth-Telling Initiative
The Truth-Seeking and Truth-Telling Initiative is leading a coordinated effort to research Lutheran involvement in Indian boarding and day schools dating back to the 1820s. We are seeking both clergy and lay volunteers who want to be part of this initiative. All are welcome, including those with skills in research, data collection, organizing, education, and leadership. The goals are to find and gather information in order to share it with impacted Indigenous individuals, families, and communities; for our church members to know our history of church-sponsored Indian boarding schools and their devastating impacts on Native communities; all as part of an ongoing truth and healing process.
We started in 2022 with 15 synods across four states. In May of 2023, we expanded to 27 synods across ten states. We are now expanding to all synods across all states. We welcome you!
We invite you to watch the video that Pastor Sherry McGuffin and Bishop Julie created last year to commemorate this day. Click the image below to view.
Every Child Matters 🧡
