Building community, sharing hope, and standing for justice since 2004

Celebrating ESTHER’s

20th Anniversary

Anniversary events: 7/27 Classical Guitar Concert • 8/22 Summer Gathering & Cookout
• 10/5 Walk with NAMI • 10/8 Justice in Crisis Movie & Panel • 11/16 Banquet

Learn more at 20 years of ESTHER

ESTHER Leader Featured in Indian Civil Rights Documentary

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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has just re-released (in HD video) its 2008 documentary on efforts of Native nations and the denomination’s National Indian Lutheran Board to secure sovereignty, justice, and civil rights for American Indians. Much of this collaboration and struggle took place in Wisconsin, involving—among others—the Lutheran Church of the Wilderness on the Stockbridge-Munsee Mohican Reservation in Bowler. Rev. Joel Schlatenhaufer (d. 2019), pastor of that congregation at the time, and later a founding member of ESTHER and its first president, is interviewed.


The history the video recounts is very interesting, and it would be useful for all of our members to know about the things that the video talks about.

—David Haas, ESTHER Board member

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Outdoor Movie Night: Wakanda Forever

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Date: 
Friday, June 9, 2023 - 7:45pm
Location: 
Houdini Plaza, 111 W College Ave, Appleton

Join People of Progression, STAR, Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, Fox City Flix and the Appleton Public Library to celebrate the end of the school year.

Free Event

  • Friday, June 9, Houdini Plaza, Appleton
  • 7:45-8:30 pm - Community Activities
    • Fox Cities PAC Listening Session
    • Public Library Summer Programs
  • 8:45 pm - Outdoor Movie: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
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Reflections on the May 13 Blanket Exercise: Remembering (unforgetting) 450 years+ of Indigeneous History

Submitted by ckan516 on Thu, 06/01/2023 - 11:49am
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Indigenous Peoples’ Blanket Exercise

The Blanket Exercise acknowledges what has been buried by honoring the truth.

Blanket Exercise Participants“Opening our eyes and unforgetting the past” was the theme of the recent Blanket Exercise, designed to help participants understand how colonization of the land has impacted the people who lived here before Columbus and other settlers arrived.

On May 13 at First English Lutheran Church on Ballard Road, nearly 70 participants gathered for the Blanket Exercise to build understanding about our shared history as Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. Blankets arranged on the floor represented the land before the arrival of Europeans.  Everyone stepped onto blankets that represent the land, and took the role of the Indigenous peoples. As I listened to the history from pre-contact, treaty-making, colonization and resistance, I could see the people and the land disappear. At the end of the exercise only a few people remained on the blankets. Going through this visible history of eliminating people and stealing land was an intellectual and emotional experience.

13th Annual Appleton Juneteenth

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Date: 
Sunday, June 11, 2023 - 12:00pm - 5:00pm
Location: 
Jones Park, 301 W Lawrence St, Appleton

Be sure to stop by the ESTHER booth when you come!

African Heritage, Inc., Presents 13th Annual Appleton Juneteenth. Free Admission. Boost your digital skills.<br /> Covid 19 shots. $$$. Black health & wealth is dope! Destiny Child Experience. MC Keith L. Brown Mr. I'm Possible.<br /> Poet 22. Milwaukee African Drum and Dance. Afro Pop Music with Mimi. Comedian Kelly Kelly. 2023 Black Excellence Graduation.<br /> Children's Activies. Food. Music. Community Organizations, Retail Vendors, Black Greek-Letter Organizations. Stone of Hope.<br /> Sponsored by Kimberly-Clark, United Way, Wisconsin Public Radio, Sargento, Walmart, Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region,<br /> Get Boosted, Community First Credit Union.

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You Belong Block Party

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Date: 
Saturday, June 17, 2023 - 11:00am - 3:00pm
Location: 
Jefferson Park, 989 Kargus Dr, Menasha

Celebrating Volunteers & Diversity in Our Community

A community event by Volunteer Fox Cities & Celebrate Diversity Fox Cities

  • Live Entertainment
  • On-Site Volunteering
  • Food Trucks
  • Carnival Games
  • Communty Cookout
  • Family-Friendly Fun!

 

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Soliltary Confinement Cell Tour

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Date: 
Thursday, May 11, 2023 - 10:00am - 6:00pm
Date: 
Friday, May 12, 2023 - 10:00am - 6:00pm
Location: 
St. Joseph Catholic Church, 404 W Lawrence St, Appleton

This event is on both Thursday, May 11 from 10 am - 6 pm and Friday, May 12 from 10 am - 6 pm
To schedule a group or class to experience the cell, contact us at 920-843-8083 or office@esther-foxvalley.org

Indigenous Peoples Blanket Exercise

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Date: 
Saturday, May 13, 2023 - 9:00am - 2:00pm
Location: 
First English Lutheran Church, 6331 N. Ballard Road, Appleton

First English Lutheran Church’s Racial Equity Team, The Green Sanctuary Justice Action Team of the Fox Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, the Indigenous Peoples’ Allies Committee (IPAC) of the First Congregational United Church of Christ and ESTHER are proud to sponsor: 


Indigenous People’s Blanket Exercise

 

May 13, 9 am - 2 pm

First English Lutheran Church, 6331 N. Ballard Road, Appleton

The blanket exercise is a kind of simulation designed to help participants understand how colonization of the land we now know as the United States of America has impacted the people who lived here long before Columbus and other settlers arrived.

A traditional Talking Circle is included in the exercise to allow participants to debrief.

In addition to the exercise, a traditional indigenous meal will be served.

Register Here

Cost per person is $30, which includes the meal.
A no-cost registration option is also available thanks to the generosity of several sponsors.

See more on the Facebook event page.

Madison Action Day 2023

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Date: 
Thursday, April 27, 2023 (All day)
Location: 
State Capitol, Madison

Latest news for Madison Action Day 2023

BREAKING NEWS!!  This is the link to the booklet that outlines our values and recommendations for the state budget.  It is called Building the Beloved Community:   WISDOM Priorities for 2023-25. We will use this to prepare for our visits and leave a copy with each of our legislators.  Review the information and share with others.  And if you haven't already, be sure to register for Madison Action Day! 

Ride and Rally for Reform!

Ride . . . . .     the bus to Madison
Rally . . . . .    on the Capitol Steps
Relay . . . . .   your views and values to your legislators
Reignite . . .   your fire for justice!

Register Now: MAD2023 Registration cost is $25, + optional t-shirt order is $10.  Your bus ride is free!

We will gather at the Wisconsin Masonic Center, 301 Wisconsin Ave, Madison at 9:00 am and then make our way together to the Wisconsin State Capitol Building. Event in Madison ends at 3 pm.

ATTENTION:  
We still need more participants from the Fox Valley.  We have yet to fill our bus which can seat 48 people.

Let's come together, show up in Madison to share our values and budget priorities with our legislators.  We will be making recommendations regarding more funding for TAD, Driver's Licenses for undocumented residents, funding for lead abatement and expanding Badger Care. The morning plenary includes speakers to renew our energy and focus as we hear about costly reconciliation, radical inclusion, living for the seventh generation, and Brothertown. 

ESTHER is planning a zoom meeting on Wednesday, April 19 at 7:00 to help organize our district meetings. Zoom link is here This meeting will help us identify speaking roles in each legislative district and explain our budget recommendations that we will share with legislators. 

Questions:  Call the ESTHER office at 920-843-8083  or email at office@esther-foxvalley.org

Earth Day Rally & March and Lawrence University Earthfest

Date: 
Saturday, April 22, 2023 - 11:30am - 4:00pm
Location: 
Houdini Plaza: 111 W. College Avenue, Appleton and Lawrence University


Bring an earth related sign for the rally.  There will be many signs available also for your use. A very special fun feature at Lawrence University is Porky's Groove Machine will be performing from 1-2.

"On earth day we come together to speak with one voice.  We celebrate the Earth's gifts and draw attention to the work that needs to be done."  Terry Dawson, one of the event's organizers and chair of ESTHER's Environmental Justice Task Force.
These earth day activities will be held rain or shine.

Black History Month events

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Date: 
Wednesday, February 1, 2023 - 8:00am - Tuesday, February 28, 2023 - 8:00pm
Location: 
Various venues in Fox Cities
Here are some area celebrations of Black History Month. Not a complete listing. . . but a good start.  Please continue to do additional searches. Some have already passed, but there remain many for you can explore.
African Heritage Presents:
Saturday Feb 11, 2023, 11 am - 2 pm, Black History Program, 
Fox Valley Technical College, 835 Bluemound Drive, Appleton Campus Door is C190ACB, Door 15
more info here.  
Movie Screening: 11:30 The Exchange of white America--Kaukauna & King: 50 Years Later
Soul Food Lunch; Keynote Address-12:30 pm
Also features “A Stone of Hope: Black Experiences in the Fox Cities” travelling museum.
 
Feb 25  Black History and Afro Hair Fair hosted by People of Progression  Admission and more info  here
10 am - 4 pm, Poplar Hall 141 Riverhealth Way. This event is an opportunity to increase access to education for blended or adoptee families, shelters, group homes, local salons and cosmetology students on proper care for 2c-4c hair types.
 
Appleton Area School District, collaborating with other organizations is hosting celebrations of Black History
Month.  See details here
 
UW-O has many events throughout the month of February. Their motto this year is “More than Words” You can find their calendar of events  here
 here is a short 5 minute video from UW0 website:“The True History of Black History Month”, from The Herald TV  uwosh.edu/africanamericanstudies/bhm/
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