When ICE was operating far away, it was too easy to look away. But now they’re here in our neighborhoods, on our streets harassing our residents, friends, neighbors, co‑workers. A new resident, Renee Nicole Good, is dead. These images aren’t from 200 miles away. They’re from 15 miles away. From 10 miles away. From 5 miles away. Target workers, U.S. citizens, forced to the floor and cuffed. An Uber driver standing his ground because he knew his rights. High schoolers and teachers shoved outside of their own school. A pregnant woman dragged from her car. A father arrested while with his little girl, and ICE had no plan to care for her, so she ran. A woman killed because an agent decided pulling a gun was easier than stepping aside. I’m so mad. And I know I have to watch how that comes out because my people deserve a steady, non-anxious presence from me. I can be an intense person. But right now, all I can offer is the truth: this is horrifying. ICE and DHS are acting with cruelty and ...
By: Rev. Kelly Lamon Some might ask, “Is it ok for Christians to protest?” A better question is, “Why and how should Christians protest?” Minnesota is facing a human rights crisis. Good church people have many views on immigration, pathways to citizenship, border control, and amnesty, so we could debate policy all day. But one thing is not up for debate: Christians must speak out when our neighbors are being harmed. We are seeing: • Children detained to trap their parents • An elderly man hauled from his home in his underwear after they pointed guns at the family • Teenagers restrained at their Target jobs while trying to retrieve their papers, then abandoned miles away in tears • A disabled woman dragged from her car after receiving mixed instructions • A man pinned beneath four agents while one knees him in the head repeatedly and another worries more about being filmed than stopping the violence. Jesus did not stay silent when things weren’t right . His e...
Big changes are ahead... Three files with about 100 pages of forms and essays have been transferred and approved. I've written about 10 additional new pages. Nine reference forms have been filled out. A background check has been conducted. Two psychological evaluations have been transferred. I’ve been in front of 5 committees and had three individual interviews. I've had more vetting than Obama's Supreme Court nominee, but alas my clergy candidacy has been transferred from the WI conference to the MN conference. And the reason? I'm being appointed the Woodbury/Peaceful Grove United Methodist Church as a ¾ time associate pastor starting in June. This is exciting on its own, but wait, there’s more… It also means we will be moving this summer to Mahtomedi where Paul teaches. As I reflect on this decision, the drama symbol keeps coming to my mind… you know, that image of the comedy and traged...
Comments
Post a Comment