Beloved Disciples,
Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Our hearts are heavy with grief this week as we watch tragic events unfolding in Minneapolis and surrounding cities, and the shocking death of a beloved mother of three, Renee Nicole Good. Across the Twin Cities, we’ve witnessed peaceful protesters, including people of faith, in their communities—opposing injustice, lamenting streets and homes that are less safe, and demanding accountability.
Last year in Los Angeles and Chicago, we witnessed violence, fear, and misinformation related to immigration enforcement at the doorsteps of our churches, and once again, we write with urgent concern as it takes place in Minneapolis. Local pastors lifting up a vision of beloved community have been pepper-sprayed, local citizens arrested and detained, and federal agents outnumber local police. We give thanks that Disciple ministers are present to provide pastoral care while caring for their communities. They’ve joined other religious leaders in calling the community to practice nonviolent resistance, prayer, and care.
The letter to the church in Galatia (6:9) calls for an enduring witness and work for the common good:” 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people…” The call to persist in doing good is not a tactical imperative but a spiritual commitment rooted in the hope of a restored community.
In the hope of restored ministries, restored communities, and restored lives, let us show up for our siblings in Minneapolis and the surrounding area. Our pastoral concern is for the well-being and integrity of our congregations and communities, and the ethics of care that impact our neighbors and our whole world. Our covenantal concern is about moving towards wholeness together as we do the difficult work of being the body of Christ in challenging times, not about partisan politics. Disciples faithfully claim a diverse variety of political perspectives.
Let’s care for Minneapolis and recommit ourselves to being the church we say we are especially in times like these.
How do we share together in the limitless love that connects us in our movement for wholeness individually and as a whole church?
1. We can share God’s covenant of love by lifting up Minneapolis and the Christian Church in the Upper Midwest in our prayers. First Christian Church in Minneapolis and First Christian Church of St. Paul in particular would welcome words of encouragement, support, and our prayers for these challenging times.
2. If you live in the area, please consider showing up for them by being present in worship at church and throughout the community.
3. We can be agents of wholeness and act to overcome fear and intimidation by clearing up misinformation and confusion.
To Disciples within and beyond the Upper Midwest Region: thank you for your support, encouragement, advocacy, and prayers.
Moving towards wholeness together,
Rev. Terri Hord Owens
General Minister and President
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada
Rev. Liz Woodward
Sabbatical Regional Minister
Christian Church in the Upper Midwest
Alice Bolen
Excellent letter. Thank you. It speaks volumes that this was a joint letter.
Blessings
Pastor Alice Bolen
David Troxler
Thank you for your words. My prayers will continue for all.
Alan Cory
Thank you for stepping up again in your roles of leadership and discipleship. Many will complain and say you should not be political, but they would also say Jesus was not (should not have been?) political. However, Jesus was outspoken against the empire and against a church more concerned with “believing Jesus” more so than “trusting Jesus”. We should not be complicit with today’s empire and the church leaders that do not follow Jesus into the breach.
Alan Cory, pastor (ret.) CC(DOC)
Julie Aikins
“Moving toward wholeness together.” Can we print that on t-shirts, posters, bumper stickers, magnets, water bottle stickers, postcards? Can that be our motto and our mantra and our call to action? Those words are perfect, not only for our denomination, but for our families, our communities, our states, our country, and our world.
April Pearson
I am a proud Christian Church member. Your letter resonates with my faith. I am 82 years old, living in a small Kentucky town. There’s little I can do, physically, for the people being terrorized in large cities around our country except PRAY.
Sherry Herrera
Thank you for this beautiful letter. I stand with our targeted siblings everywhere ❤️
Darrell Vandervort
Amen and Amen. Thank you both for the words of hope and wisdom in these days.
David Hockensmith
I stand in prayer with faithful disciples and other people are faith from a variety of traditions who seek the witness to the love of Christ.
Ron Wigglesworth
Thank you so much for your positive and uplifting comments about the terrifying situation in our Midwest. Prayers for all in the region!
Glenys Bittick Lynch
Thanks They are certainly in my thoughts and prayers. Really feeling helpless as I watch all that is happening in our country right now!
EMILY AUTEN
Standing by and supporting the citizens and guests of Minneapolis and St,Paul as the nonviolently protest injustice and cruelty in their cities and state. May God’s Spirit inspire you to persevere that the world may see you witness for justice and peace.
David Cortes
Always be with the under treated.
James Hargrave
Thank you for your witness.
Brad Hughes
Protect the Lord’s church and His message. Do not let the world’s misfortunes and lesser values pull apart the mission to display God’s love.
Do not water down the Lord’s message by allowing non-biblical messaging to steer the church.
Demand the teachings of Christ be honoured and do not accept social norms that disrespect the Lord.
When attacked with secular “morals”, respond with spiritual scripture.
Susan
We MUST support our brothers and sisters in Minneapolis. Thank you for this call to prayer and action.
Jim Robinson
Thank you, Pastor!
Sally and Tom Mason
Thank you for these words and sentiments. Thank you for speaking out and being supportive of all those involved.
Linda Miller
And this week, another murder by the federal government. Our government. In Minneapolis. God help us, every one.
Rev. Liz, I’m a retired Disciples clergy woman. What can I do directly for you? I live in MO, south of you, not too far to drive in a day. What do you need? What can I mail to you?
Joyce Fiesta
It’s easy for those not actually affected to form opinions. In the name of Jesus, we can not continue to walk with blinders and leave our brothers and sisters to feel forsaken. We hold ALL in 🙏 prayer to be restored in our nation.
Laura
Thank you for your guidance.