Prophetic Resistance Newsletter: We Are One Body
Ephesians 4:16
From whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
God makes it clear that not only are we called to function as one body, but that we are “equipped” with what holds us together. In a world obsessed with division, fear, scapegoating and dog whistles, this is a healthy and holy reminder that our Creator is so Divine that we have a “built-in” connection with one another. It certainly takes work for us to find out what our shared values are, but to begin recognizing that we share inherent value and dignity in just being human is a good start.
Muslim Reflection
Nu’man bin Bashir (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) said, “The believers in their mutual kindness, compassion and sympathy are just like one body. When one of the limbs suffers, the whole body responds to it with wakefulness and fever”. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
We have become desensitized in a world full of injustices. There is a tendency to focus only on one’s self and problems because of the overwhelming feeling that there are just too many things wrong in the world. However, the Islamic tradition teaches that all believers are one body, and when one part of the body is hurting, then the entire body is hurting. We cannot afford to be passive because that means we are letting our own body, our sisters and brothers in faith, suffer. As Desmond Tutu once said, “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.” Yes, the burn out from social justice activism can be real, but never let yourself ignore the injustices happening in your state, your nation, and the world.
Southern Minnesota Leadership Assembly
In late June, over 60 leaders from across Southern Minnesota gathered in Rochester to fully debrief the state legislative session, build relationships across the region, learn from one another what issues are impacting our communities, and get equipped to have intentional conversations with our neighbors. We are committed to building an inclusive democracy across race, faith tradition, and geography, and it starts with us! We launched our first wave of a deep listening campaign to reach 2000 of our neighbors, hear their concerns and visions, and invite them to shape our democracy with us.
Muslim Coalition Leaders Ready to Lead!
This 4th of July, Muslim Coalition of ISAIAH leaders took seriously the term “independence” by wrestling with what’s required to see it to fruition: struggle, justice, unity and power. The Muslim Coalition is determined to Claim their Voices by discussing our struggle for justice and uniting the base with one vision to build Muslim political power with ISAIAH and our allies on our path to 2020 and beyond. Faith leaders joined from St. Cloud, Willmar, Burnsville and institutions like MAS, Dar Al Farooq and Ihsan. It was an energizing and joyful event!
ISAIAH’s Launching a Podcast!
Now we need a name 🙂
ISAIAH’s launching a Podcast! Super exciting! The format will be short, powerful conversations between ISAIAH leaders, elected officials and MN power players along with ISAIAH’s communications director, JaNaé Bates, as the host.
Each episode will have a different focal topic, like housing, Muslim and Catholic political power, completing the census, etc. The purpose is to center the stories of leaders in community, the power of organizing and the bold narrative that our power leaders should carry in their work.
BUT we still need a name! Help us out! Pick one from the list we’ve come up with or submit your own idea!
PS: If we select a name you suggest, you’ll win a cool prize!
We Have a New Website!
Come check it out! And then tell us what you think.
*Special Thanks to ISAIAH digital strategist, Trevor Cochlin for the new digs!
Call to Action: Faith Communities!!!
Minnesota Is Our Home.
Black and white, rich and poor, newcomer and Minnesota born, we have made Minnesota our home. We raise our children here, we work, shop, play, laugh, cry and love in Minnesota. We do these things together. This President and his administration have attempted to strike fear in our hearts and divide us by race and place, by faith and by income.
We are greater than fear. We are called by our Creator to love one another as our common Creator deeply loves us. Amid threats of raids and ICE activity, we are watching and standing united – not as people of different immigration statuses, but as Minnesotans, as neighbors, as human beings.
This land is our land. The land of the free, home of the brave. We will not allow agents of fear and terror to harm us. Not in our name, not on our watch. We proudly live in community with all who bravely journey to make a better life for ourselves and our families. No matter how we got here, Minnesota is our home.
Places of worship that want to help immigrants find sanctuary and safe haven this weekend amid these threats are encouraged to text us at 612-234-1735. Include your church name, address, times during which your doors will be open (preferably today through Monday morning) and the name and number of a contact person.
