December 21 - After the Deportation
…steadfast connection. For those who are rejected, make us loving welcome. For those who are cast away, make us embracing protection. God-for-us, God-with-us, expand our “us.” Give us the creativity and long-term commitment to refuse to let separation have the final word, until all of “us” are free. Amen. Artwork: “End Deportation” by Yohana Junker (discover more at: https://www.yohanajunker.com/)…
December 16 - On Punishment
…to dwell among us in flesh and bone, body and blood, we long to know you and your will fully and deeply. Keep us attentive to your dreams of restoration and redemption, your freedom songs, always unfolding in our midst. Come to us, abide with us, our beloved, Emmanuel. Amen. Artwork: “Abolish” by Yohana Junker (discover more at: https://www.yohanajunker.com/)…
December 23
…of enfleshed love and expansive liberation come true. Prayer To those made invisible, let this prayer come as recognition. To those deemed disposable, let this prayer come as cherishing. To those told they are too much, let this prayer come as abundant affirmation. To those left behind, let this prayer come as accompaniment. To those whose deaths are called…
I Must Go: MLK’s Radical Commitment to Collective Liberation
…year is a story I encountered in King’s autobiography from the time of the Birmingham Campaign in 1962-63. As Easter approached in 1963, King and his comrades were in the midst of a vigorous campaign of boycotts, sit-ins, and protests in Birmingham that they had spent over a year preparing, organizing and training for. Hundreds of arrests had been made…
Election Season Spiritual Care Package
…with these healing images and messages. I Choose Love by Mark A. Miller Mark Miller is a pianist, organist, singer, composer, choral conductor, church musician, educator, and active lay person in the United Methodist Church. He composed this song in response to the murders of 9 people attending bible study at Mother Emmanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC. …
December 23 - Defund/Invest
…rent and leisure, enough helping hands? Does God want body cameras? Or does God want us to live in a world where we show up BEFORE violence ever happens? In the UCC, we commit to being in covenant with one another. Which means we commit to caring for one another and remaining in right relationship. Policing ruptures that covenant, both…
December 15 - Signs and Wonders
…the need for justice and change among us. These signs are an invitation to be advocates for the change we want to see – they are abolition dreams. There are signs everywhere. How many signs do you need? Prayer Inhale: Signs and wonders abound. Exhale: God help me practice attention. Artwork: “Awaken” by Yohana Junker (discover more at: https://www.yohanajunker.com/)…
December 18 - Emergence
…way to freedom. So, Mary bore Jesus into a complicated context in which he shared his wholeness with others who longed for a world of justice and compassion. In our day, child-bearing is no less complicated, but we have abolitionist dreams to inspire us, too. If abolition is about nurturing freedom, then abolitionist parenthood must be about the freedom to…
December 13 - Envision
…the paths that we travel so that we may no longer be bound by fear and hate, domination and supremacy, but free to love and serve and create your realm here on earth for all. Amen. See also this Blessing for Those Who Have Far to Travel by Jan Richardson. Artwork: “Envision” by Yohana Junker (discover more at: https://www.yohanajunker.com/)…
November 30 - Nearing Daybreak
…warmth of its sun. Prayer Holy One, Giver of Light, awaken us from our slumber, assuage our fears of change, fill us with compassion, cover us with grace, and embolden us with your Spirit as we clumsily leave places where we see justice dimly, moving toward the dawning light. Amen. Artwork: “Dismantle” by Yohana Junker (discover more at: https://www.yohanajunker.com/)…