CHICAGO (Sept. 21, 2016) – The board of directors ofthe Network of ELCA Colleges and Universities has issued a statement condemninghate threats made against Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kan., and itspresident, William Jones.
Earlier this month, racist messages written in chalkwere discovered on the Bethany campus. Following the incident, Jones receivedthreatening phone calls from someone claiming responsibility for the messagesand drawings.
The Network of ELCA Colleges and Universitiescomprises the 26 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America-related institutions ofhigher education. The network’s board of directors is made up of theinstitutions’ 26 presidents and an executive director.
The statement said:
“The Network of ELCA Colleges and Universities haswatched with grave concern recent incidents at Bethany College. As theassociation of the twenty-six institutions of higher education related to theEvangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), we are compelled to speak insupport of Bethany College, our member institution in Lindsborg, Kansas.
“We have learned that threats from a hate-groupappeared earlier this month in chalked messages on campus walkways and inmessages conveyed by telephone. These racist messages focused on the family ofBethany College’s new president, William Jones, and the two bi-racial childrenof the president and his wife. An increased presence of persons of color in thestudent body was also the target of this hate speech.
“We are diverse institutions in the Lutherantradition, but we stand as one against these threats. With President Jones, wedeplore these despicable actions that are, as he has shared, ‘disgusting andcompletely contrary to our core values and intellectual identity.’
“The ELCA Network of Colleges and Universities condemnsthe racist attacks and threats of violence made against the president, hisfamily, and members of the Bethany College community. Such behavior isantithetical to human, Christian and American values. All people of good willshould stand with us against the racism, bigotry and hatred that is at the rootof these recent attacks.”
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About the EvangelicalLutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States,with more than 3.7 million members in more than 9,300 congregations across the50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work.Our hands," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith inJesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's rootsare in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
Forinformation contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
773-380-2877
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
