social justice Archives - Page 5 of 5 - United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities

June 29, 2018

“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…)

June 29, 2018

Activism lgbtq social justice social transformation videos Voice

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…)

June 29, 2018

Bible interreligious chaplaincy Judaism social justice Voice

“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…)

June 28, 2018

Civil Rights social justice Voice

Witnessing the Power of Community: Claire Klein on the Poor People’s Campaign.

“Can you tell me about your theology of protest?” Rev. Ashley Harness, my minister at Lyndale United Church of Christ asked Rev. Dr. William Barber at a planning meeting for the revival of the Poor People’s Campaign. (more…)