social justice

September 27, 2018
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Will We Make a Difference or Stop at Outrage?

It has been more the rule than the exception through the last six months or so that our world, national and local news has focused on one unbelievable human atrocity after another; with a seemingly endless ability to trump the previous week’s painful emotional impact.  The capstone of this last week was the criminal case of the Philando Castile murder ending in an acquittal of the police officer who shot him. (more…)

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August 3, 2018
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Lessons from May Day

2017 has been especially rife with protests, rallies, and marches. Nor has the call to action quieted in the last few weeks. There was the March for Science on April 22, and Tuesday, May 9 is the Medicare for All Rally. There are events popping up across the Twin Cities gearing up for Pride, and Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAc) has been fundraising and hosting trainings consistently over the last month. Indeed with the coming of spring, there is a sense of renewal, of hope in troubling times, and the timeless recognition that in this season- life returns to the world in abundance. (more…)

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June 29, 2018
Events social justice Theology Voice

“We cannot allow ourselves to become numb to the injustices of our society”: President Lew Zeidner’s MLK Day Address.

My experience of previous celebrations of MLK day seemed focused on an amazing leader, a man who advocated non-violent change and dreamed of a better world for all, a movement that seemed to facilitate significant societal change in its time and a leader who was willing to risk his own safety and life to make a positive difference.  All worthy of much reverence and celebration. But this year feels different.  (more…)

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June 29, 2018
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Video Ministry: Countering LGBTQ “Clobber Texts” on Youtube.  

How do we share our messages and enact our ministry across different audiences?  Social Transformation student, Nikole Mitchell uses Twitter, blogging, and vlogging (video blogging) to reach people where they are.  As a self-described biracial, queer woman, Nikole engages questions of social justice, racial equity, and LGBTQ inclusion through social media.  In Fall, 2017, Nikole published a series of videos about Biblical passages often used against LGBTQ people.  Nikole speaks with a number of religious leaders in the Twin Cities area to think through and counter these so called "clobber texts."  Watch the full series below: (more…)

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June 29, 2018
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“Is this Naomi?” Reading into the Book of Ruth on Shavuot

On Shavuot, an annual two day holiday which just ended this last Monday, Jews across the world study the Book of Ruth. A prominent theme of the story is chesed or loving-kindness. Ruth’s devotion to Naomi is an act of chesed; Boaz’s aid and eventual marriage to Ruth is likewise an example of chesed. Using a hermeneutic of chesed is traditional in interpreting this story, with much grounding in rabbinic criticism. However while it is a story of acts of kindness, it also a story of an emotional, psychical conflict in the character of Naomi. (more…)

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