Part of the body of Christ recently canceled a panel on polarization because members were polarized about the inclusion of a speaker. The news highlights the problem of polarization within Christian communities and reminds us all about the resources we have to address it.
CROSSPOSTED FROM THE E-VANGELIST, ONLINE MAGAZINE OF ST. JOHN EPISCOPAL CHURCH SAINT PAUL
Would you believe that neither the head of Minnesota’s GOP nor its DFL party think of their counterparts as “enemies?” The word – and the existential threat, the need to eliminate that it implies – is one both leaders actively avoid using when referring to people with whom they disagree.
More than eight million Ukrainians have been forced to leave their homes since the Russian invasion. According to the Minnesota Department of Human Services, about 300 people have been admitted as humanitarian parolees to Minnesota. Most Ukrainians who come to Minnesota do so through the Humanitarian Parole program.
Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees who entered the United States on or after February 24, 2022, and before September 30, 2023, and their immediate relatives, are eligible for the following public benefits to the same extent as refugees.
*** UPDATE: APPLICATION DEADLINE EXTENDED TO APRIL 15 ***
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 13, 2024
CONTACT
Rev. Jerad Morey, Director of Strategic Relationships
Minnesota Council of Churches
(507) 403-0070
Rev. Dr. Curtiss Paul DeYoung to retire as Co-CEO of Minnesota Council of Churches
National search for new CEO led by Ballinger Leafblad
I have been to Palestine and Israel five times since 2006. During the first days after the shocking and horrific attack by Hamas on civilians in Israel, I paused from making a statement out of respect for Jewish-led processes of grief. Soon civilians in Gaza and the West Bank were also under attack. I keep thinking about the PEOPLE of the Holy Land.
“I was in prison and you came to me.” -Matthew 25:36b
Since 2012 churches have been practicing communion on election day. In 2023 congregations have a unique opportunity: Sunday, November 5 is exactly one year before Election Day 2024. Given the disinformation and division the United States faced in 2020, the development of new AI technologies being used to activate our anger, the reduction of barriers to hate speech on social media, and the accelerated "great sort" in many communities brought on in the COVID era next year's elections could be more rancorous - and find followers of Jesus more divided - than ever.
Our Prayers Heard ‘Round the World
Minnesota Council of Churches and the 2023 International Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
October 23, 5:00pm – 6:30pm
Nativity Lutheran Church, St. Anthony
For more information contact Rev. Jerad Morey, (612) 230-3211
