Philippians 2:13

“God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.”

While some may be feeling debilitating and demobilizing things like fear or despair, many of us are feeling determination.

We are determined in this current election season to fully represent the love, community and justice that our creator has placed in our heart to share with the world.

There is no doubt that that ‘determination’ is a gift from God. God has promised to give us the desire and power we need to do what pleases God. Surely, in this very important time in history, being voters is one of those things. But not just being voters, we’re also sending texts, making phone calls and talking to our neighbors to go out and be voters too.

We were made for such a time as this. We’re claiming our voices, claiming our power and voting our values. Be a Voter.

Qu’ran Reflection

“’Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: ‘The people before you were ruined because when a noble person amongst them committed theft, they would leave him, but if a weak person amongst them committed theft, they would execute the legal punishment on him.’”

The Prophet reminds of two important concepts. One, we must be vigilant that those in power do not run free without consequences. Two, we must be forgiving to our struggling neighbors. During our lifetime, we have seen the emergence of the richest 1% who continue to profit off of the backs and hard labor of us. We have passively allowed them to steal money and resources from our communities. At the same time, instead of realizing that we are collectively facing challenges because of the 1%, we turn the blame towards our neighbor. We need to realize that we live in a world of abundance, and the reason it is so hard for us to internalize that is that we have let those in power run unchecked for too long. It is so important for us to vote and be present in our government at all levels because we must be the ones who hold those in power in check. We have the power to ensure that the richest 1% do not continue to steal from us. We have to use our voices and our votes for this to happen.

Sounds of Lament: Mourning those who have died from COVID

Sunday, October 15, 7 pm – 8:15 pm
Facebook Live Event

As people of faith and conscience from diverse traditions and spiritual practices, our hearts break from the tremendous loss associated with the pandemic. We have crossed unimaginable thresholds.

More than 2,000 Minnesotans have died since March from COVID-19.

Join us for “Sounds of Lament,” a multifaith gathering in community to acknowledge our shared grief and loss.

If you are a member of a faith community, please ask them to join in at 8:00 and ring church bells, strike gongs, beat drums, blow a shofar, or whatever is best to reflect lament for your tradition or community. Even though these won’t be shared on the live event, they will reverberate through the neighborhoods and in our hearts.

Hosted by: United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, ISAIAH, MARCH, Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, New City Church-Minneapolis

View Facebook Live Event

Claiming Our Voices through Democracy Days!

Friday, Oct. 23 | Saturday, Oct. 24 | Sunday, Oct. 25

The antidote to cynicism and fear is action!

Join us in #ClaimingOurVoices and taking responsibility for building our multiracial democracy where we can all thrive – no exceptions! ISAIAH is joining organizations across the state – and many across the country – in celebrating National Early Voter Day. We already are spending this weekend doing Democracy Days and now we get to do it with thousands of others!

From the comfort of your own home, call 10 people you know and ask them if they are voters and what their voting plan is. Check out our Democracy Days toolkit for helpful tips and conversation guidance as well as ways for your congregation to get involved.

Get Our Democracy Days Toolkit

Racial Justice Champion Loses Reappointment: Calling for Board Investigation

Hennepin Chief Public Defender Mary Moriarty has been an outspoken champion for racial justice. She has been an effective advocate and unafraid to speak truth to power. This has apparently made some of those who would uphold the status quo of our criminal justice system uncomfortable.

Last December, Mary Moriarty was suspended from her job for allegedly acting unprofessionally. After an investigation dragged on for months, she was reinstated in April. At a September meeting, the MN State Board of Public Defense voted to not re-appoint Mary.

Add your name to an open letter written by employees of the Fourth Judicial District (Hennepin County) Public Defender’s Office to Gov. Walz regarding the Board of Public Defense’s unjust process of deciding not to reappoint Mary Moriarty.

Add Your Name to the Letter

Attend the “We Make Minnesota” Briefing!

Thursday, October 8th, 11am – noon

Dozens of organizations across the state are gathering to create the echo chamber needed for all of our families to thrive – no exceptions. This includes leaning into our values, inoculating Minnesotans against villainous tactics of fear/division and casting as vision that transforms our collective future. Join us to get the tools on how.

What we’ve learned in this pandemic and racial uprising is that when we work together, across race, geography and interests, we are unstoppable! We will loudly declare, “We Make Minnesota: Better off Together.”

*If you are a current political candidate or officially working for a candidate’s campaign, we are unable to accommodate you in this briefing.

Watch and Share

We Make MN Statewide Early Voter Day of Events!

Saturday, October 24th 10 am – 8 pm | Facebook Virtual Event

Join us for a virtual rally at 10 am featuring Minnesotans across race and place as we kick off National Early Vote Day. We’ll hear from voters from across the state (and a special guest!) speaking about why this election season we are coming together across our differences to use the power of our vote to build a state where every Minnesotan can be safe, happy and healthy, no exceptions.

We’ll spend this whole day following amazing organizations and Minnesotans across the state, making sure every Minnesotan gets to be a voter!

Hosted by: We Make MN, SEIU MN State Council, ISAIAH, Faith in Minnesota

Join Facebook Virtual Event

 This is What Democracy Looks Like

The Barbershop and Black Congregation Cooperative has worked for years to build a multiracial democracy in Minnesota, and their work this election season is empowering Black voters across Minnesota to claim their voices like never before. This is what democracy looks like! Like and share the BBCC Facebook page to see some joyful updates from awesome democracy-building leaders!

Like & Share BBCC On Facebook