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Peace & Justice

Grace has long been a congregation focused on working for justice as a means of achieving peace in the world.

Peace Sitepeace pole

We follow the Prince of Peace in a troubled world. Where there is injustice and oppression, we seek liberation. In our worship, prayer, study, and life together, we strive for peaceful means of living out the gospel. Grace has been a designated Peace Site for many years.

ISAIAH

Grace is involved in ISAIAH, a network of congregations in the Twin Cities/St. Cloud region. ISAIAH is a vehicle for congregations, clergy, and people of faith to act collectively and powerfully towards racial and economic equity in the state of Minnesota. http://www.isaiah-mn.org/

Land Acknowledgement

The Grace land working group convened in late 2021 asking the question – what racial equity work are we called to in our own congregation and denomination?  We began to ask critical questions about the land on which we worship and invited the congregation on the learning journey with us. We developed a statement that was adopted at the congregational meeting in January 2023. Read more about this here: Land Acknowledgement and Beyond.

Hawkinson Fund for Peace and Justice at Grace

2021 Award Ceremony (link to video) – November 10, 2021

BUILDING on the PAST, but FOCUSED on the FUTURE

At the June 3, 2018 meeting, the congregation approved spending $15,000 from the Hawkinson Fund for Peace and Justice.

  • Although we honor a former pastor of Grace (Rev. Vincent Hawkinson, 1955-1985), this Fund is not focused on the past, but on the future.
  • The Hawkinson Foundation (1988-2017) turned its funds over to Grace last year and this year the Hawkinson Fund for Peace and Justice has been organized within the Social Ministry Committee.
  • Nearly all the approved funds will go toward scholarships for students to focus on peace and justice.
    • Since 1988, the Hawkinson Foundation awarded over $300,000 in scholarships to 138 students. This enabled students to pursue a variety of studies and projects:
      • Anti-bullying campaign, promoting drug policy reform and abolition of the death penalty, election reform, addressing industrial pollution, responding to environmental change and its impact on poor communities
      • Responding to domestic violence, hate crimes, war criminals, nuclear weapons, gender and racial discrimination, promoting conflict resolution
      • Access to mental health care, literacy and public health projects in the US and in several African & Asian countries
    • The Hawkinson Foundation also recognized 47 community leaders for their long-term, wide-ranging efforts to promote peace and justice.  (See HawkinsonFoundation.org)
  • What’s New?
    • A new name and a refreshed logo emphasize the new home within Grace.
    • All-volunteer focus assures even more funds are used for scholarships.
  • What’s Continuing?
    • Same basic mission: to inspire all of us to emulate community leaders and students committed to pursuing peace and justice.
    • Need for volunteers. Please contact the Hawkinson Fund committee to volunteer your time.
    • Need for donations. Please support the next generation of activists pursuing justice and peace.
  • PLEASE GIVE BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30!
    • As part of Grace, the Hawkinson Fund will normally be included in the annual church budget, approved each January.
    • The Hawkinson Fund will award scholarships and engage in related programs each year based on the funds it raises in the prior year.

Our fund-raising year ends September 30.  The Hawkinson Fund will limit spending in the following year to what we receive by the end of September each year.

  • Since 1988, donations have changed. Originally created by Grace members, donors who are not members of Grace have provided most of the funding since 2000.  We hope to re-introduce the advantages of supporting this program to Grace members.
    • Hawkinson activities support the Grace outreach mission to a broad community, not only in the Twin Cities and the University of Minnesota, but throughout Minnesota
    • Hawkinson scholarships and awards are not based on religious affiliation.  Previous recipients include many Christians, Buddhists, Muslims and others without a stated religious affiliation
    • Hawkinson scholarships support international as well as local students
    • Hawkinson scholarships are competitive because there are so few opportunities for funding peace and justice activities
    • Hawkinson scholarships are prestigious based on the students who have won these scholarships in the past.
      • Although Danai Gurira (actress, playwright) has become the most well-known of the Hawkinson Scholars, most recipients continue their active involvement in peace and justice, and …
      • Many of the jobs these students are preparing for will not be well-compensated financially.
      • Several students, motivated by difficult experiences and personal sacrifice, learned leadership skills to focus on alleviating similar conditions for others.
    • Suggestion:  search online to see the extensive coverage of Hawkinson Foundation activities at HawkinsonFoundation.org

Please contribute before September 30!
Send a check or cash to Grace made out to the “Hawkinson Fund at Grace,” or find an option for giving directly to the fund through our online giving: ONLINE GIVING (see Hawkinson Fund below the list of categories on the left)

 

March 28, 2017

A message from the Foundation:

“Thank you for your generous contributions to the Vincent L. Hawkinson Foundation! Effective March 28, 2017, the Vincent L. Hawkinson Foundation for Peace and Justice will be the Hawkinson Fund at Grace University Lutheran Church. The Foundation has awarded more than $300,000 in scholarships to 138 students in recognition of their deep commitments to peace and justice since 1988. Please know that we plan to continue this mission as part of Grace University Lutheran Church. We are making this change at this time to ensure that even more of your donations go directly to our mission. As a result of this transition we will not be issuing any scholarships or honorary awards in 2017. Please look for more information to be made available in early 2018. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to info@hawkinsonfoundation.org. Please know that checks for any future donations should be made out to the Hawkinson Fund at Grace University Lutheran Church and will continue to be tax deductible.”

The Vincent L. Hawkinson Foundation for Peace and Justice was organized in 1988 to honor Reverend Vincent L. Hawkinson, a lifelong advocate for peace. Hawkinson served as pastor of Grace University Lutheran Church for 30 years. He was a community leader who witnessed courageously to a vision of political and social change. He vigorously advocated peacemaking and racial equality and stood up for the poor, the oppressed, and the powerless. He died in 2001 at age 86.

The Foundation was founded on the belief that alternatives to violence and the use of military power must be found for a permanent resolution of interpersonal and global conflict. Seeking new avenues to peace and justice was Pastor Hawkinson’s life work. The Foundation kept his dream alive by granting scholarships to students who have demonstrated a commitment to peace and justice and by honoring those who throughout their lifetime have pursued these beliefs. We look forward to new ways in which the legacy of Pastor Hawkinson will be embodied through the Hawkinson Fund at Grace.