A Pastoral Letter of Support for Our Haitian Siblings in Springfield
…core values of our faith. Let us embrace our Haitian siblings and the entire community of Springfield. Together they have worked for years to build a community of flourishing where all can have a job, put down roots, and be treated as equally beloved children of God. I urge everyone to join in standing with them in this difficult time….
2025 All Church Read: Building Up a New World
…others in your church and community, including: Centering Practices – building self-regulatory and community grounding skills Scripture Readings – rooting our organizing work in God’s revolutionary word Discussion Questions – deepening our understanding and connecting to our experiences “Think like an organizer” Assignments – helping us discover more about our community’s needs and hopes Prayer – nourishing our spirits and…
December 17 - No One is Disposable
…and persistence, this promised vision of freedom is present at any moment. So church, how can we, guided by an Abolitionist God, move at the pace of belovedness? What if, from now on, we imagined our church budgets, policies, committee agendas and worship services as living, breathing homes for freedom rather than places where disposability culture prevails? Can we find…
December 12
…orientations, our neural pathways will strengthen and compel our actions in that direction. Prayer When punishment seems to be the only way to justice, teach us to sing, comfort, comfort. When harm seems to demand retribution, show us a more tender way. When the mountains seem unsurmountable, enliven our imaginations. When the valleys threaten to swallow us, lift us…
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/)…
December 7 - Midwives of Justice
…songs like Mary, songs that imagine a world turned upside down by revolutionary Love-become-flesh. As we wait expectantly for the coming of your realm (that will surely come), empower us to become midwives, co-conspirators with you, ushering in a new day of freedom, where your love and justice prevail. Amen. Artwork: “Midwife” by Yohana Junker (discover more at: https://www.yohanajunker.com/)…
December 5
The carceral state compromises the meaning that comes from a season of waiting. “Hard time,” or incarceration, mostly bolstered by the War on Drugs, forces the religious imagination of many to a posture passive waiting. The incarnation, though, invites us to an active waiting. Where God’s kin are dislocated, cut-off, and disappeared, shoots appear and branches that bear fruit come…
December 22
…beloved community together, we say “blessed.” Through transformative anti-oppression and collective liberation, we call each other “blessed.” Through reciprocity and reconciliation, we sing “blessed.” Mary was sure that in the future, people like her would be claimed as freedom-bringers and called “blessed.” And it is our obligation to ensure that her prophetic vision of dignity, compassion, of love, this good…
December 8 - Regenerative Liberation
…your coming like the desert dreams of water and you put among us prophets who speak into life abolitionist visions of blossoming abundance. As we long for your justice to come and dwell among us, keep us working to bring your promise to life, for we will see glory. Amen. Artwork: “Regeneracao” by Yohana Junker (discover more at: https://www.yohanajunker.com/)…
December 11 - Imagining Repair
…might we follow Jesus’ example and offer our communities real and concrete visions of a new world? Where do you witness glimpses of this freedom becoming real in our midst and how can you share those with others? How can we grow our imaginations beyond our doubts, weariness and cynicism? Perhaps then we, like John and his disciples, will throw…