It has been almost a week since the murder of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. Last Wednesday morning, our friend and colleague, Rev. Ashley Horan, was livestreaming from her South Minneapolis neighborhood where people had been gathering to respond to the presence of ICE, and then to police who cordoned off the area where Renee was killed. Later we would learn of what had happened there, and then witness the courageous and compassionate responses of the people in Minneapolis and around the country. Heinous acts perpetrated by this so-called federal agency have continued in Minneapolis as well as other towns and cities across the country. Some of them are being covered by the news and some news agencies are still playing the “angle game” instead of covering the criminal acts and actors.

We know that many of you are seeking ways to stay present, to respond, to show up for press conferences, vigils, and protests, attending worship for grounding and connection, and reaching out to neighbors, friends, and relatives who may be more directly impacted.

Know that showing up for protests and vigils matters. Calling your elected leaders matters. Sending thank you notes to people who are doing good work matters. Sending an email of encouragement to those finding their courage matters. Posting the truth of cruelty, the connections to fascism past and present, on social media matters; just be sure to confirm a source before you share because there is a lot of misinformation and disinformation out there.

Fascist and authoritarian regimes have been stopped when 3.5% of the population publicly resists. On Saturday in Minneapolis, there was a People’s March. Organizers expected 30-50,000 participants. More than 100,000 people gathered and moved along the streets together, chanting and singing! Rev. Ashley has shared multiple messages and livestreams this week, and she noted that she was grateful to have songs in her pocket to share and sing. We hope that lots of folks will join the Music Team and folks from other congregations for the Sing Out for Peace and Justice on Sunday, Jan. 25. (see their announcement)

Last night, Lynn attended a training on Interfaith Non-Violent Resistance. When asked how people might prepare to resist, Rev. Susan Hayward, a specialist on religion, peace, and human rights who has been in the streets of Minneapolis all week, said, “deepen your spiritual practices. If you don’t already have one, start. We need spiritual practices to get us through impossible times.” During the membership process (because newcomers are not members until they go through an intentional process), we ask new members of the congregation to continue or begin a practice that can be done with intention, attention, and repetition. We welcome a conversation if you’d like some support on choosing a spiritual practice. This can be one of the ways that we find courage on our own and the practice of coming to worship helps us find courage together.

We also hope you’ll come to the potluck Meet the Moment event after worship this Sunday (see announcement). We need one another so much right now and we need to be thinking and acting strategically and with gratuitous compassion in these times.

In faith~ Rev. Lynn and Rev. Wendy