Gentleness, now? Really?
Qu’ran Reflection 25:63
“The true servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk gently on the earth, and who, whenever the ignorant address them, say: ‘Peace’”
In the divisive environment that is surrounding the current election season, it is vital for us to remember our role on this earth, to walk gently. And when people who have yet to realize the truth addresses us, we respond with words of peace. There is a tranquility in the heart that forms when we are steadfast in our belief. We believe in a fair and just world, where people feel safe and have their basic needs fulfilled. Yet, we will encounter people who have yet to realize the truth of the evils of white supremacy.
However, we are reaffirmed in knowing that we are claiming our voices, not just for the betterment of our lives, but for the prosperity of our family, friends, neighbors, and state. It is not only a political courtesy to send words of peace to those who differ in belief, but a moral necessity for the faithful to not lose their gentleness in the toxic environment of election season.
Galatians 5:22–23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.“
The fruit of the Spirit gives us all these good and beautiful things that, quite frankly, are the hardest to tap into if you’re paying attention to the political arena – which we are also required to do. To be ‘in the world and not of it’ right now requires us to grasp on to the fruit of the Spirit, even in the face of social harm, political attacks and flat out evil.
To remember that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but powers and principalities, means that we have to fight these evil powers, with our own God-given good power. All of the fruit above are incredibly POWERFUL. So, as we go out to be voters in the next 30 days (encouraging others to be voters too – let us put on the full armor of God and yield to the fruit of the Spirit. Sometimes we’ll need an extra dose of gentleness or patience or self-control – no? Just me? ?
Blessings to all of us as we embark on creating the blessed community here on earth, as it is in Heaven. Be a Voter.
Minnesotans Rally at Capitol Declaring ‘We Make Minnesota’
Two hundred Minnesotans across race and region came together at the state Capitol to declare that We Make Minnesota in a physically distanced, but socially connected march, rally and voter fair.
They chanted for a vision of Minnesota that they know is possible – one that includes things like quality and fully funded healthcare, childcare, and education, clean air, water and land for future generations to come, as well as safe communities with livable wages, paid time to care for one another, and freedom from police brutality. This Minnesota is possible because Minnesotans can create it.
“What we want – what I want as a mom, and what my congregation members want as working people and grandparents and teachers and kids and neighbors – is a state where all of us can thrive, whether we’re Black, brown, or white,” Rev. Corinne Freedman Ellis of ISAIAH.
Minnesotans and organizations of goodwill and values rallied together under the banner of “We Make Minnesota: We’re Better Off Together.” The brand, “We Make Minnesota,” both belongs to no one and everyone who is creating the state that makes us vibrant, keeps us safe, is caring and delivers Black dreams.
Organizations who hosted this event were: Asian American Organizing Project, The Awood Center, BBCC: Barbershop and Black Congregation Cooperative, Black Women Rising, Black Visions Collective, Education Minnesota, Faith in Minnesota, Gender Justice, Greater Than Fear, ISAIAH, Jewish Community Action, Kids Count On Us, Land Stewardship Project, MN AFL-CIO, MN350 Action, MN350, Plymouth Area Indivisible, SEIU MN State Council, TakeAction Minnesota, Unidos MN and 100 Percent Campaign.
We Make Minnesota Video
We launched a BEAUTIFUL video with the launch of We Make Minnesota: We’re Better Off Together! Please watch and share it on Facebook and spread the joy about the future we will create together by being voters!
Minnesotans Stand Together
The above photo was published in Saturday’s Star Tribune!
Yesterday, Minnesotans across race, religion and ethnicity came together to push back on the terrible and deceitful tactics we’ve been seeing in our politics, trying to make us scared of and divide us from Muslim, immigrant and Somali Minnesotans. But we know better… and Minnesotans do better! Together, we loudly declared that “We’re Greater than Fear and We Make Minnesota!”
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.
Democracy Days Phone Bank
Sunday, October 25th, 5:00 – 8:00 pm
Join us as we call Minnesotans to make sure they are claiming their voices and being voters. Ask your congregation to get involved!
Democracy days are clergy-led, congregational events in preparation for the pivotal election season which include guidance on where to be a voter, how to get ballots, creating voting plans, and discussing issues that we are voters for.
WE NEED YOU! Please join us!
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!
Claim Your Voice – Be a Voter
Your vote is your voice! This election season, we are Claiming Our Voices by electing leaders who recognize the dignity of us all no matter our color, creed, or zip code.
Child serving professionals, parents, grandparents, aunties, uncles, and beyond are claiming their voices as child care voters and electing leaders who prioritize affordable childcare for all Minnesotans, no exceptions.
Be a voter today by requesting your ballot, voting early in person, or dropping off your ballot. Our kids are counting on us to shape their future world by being voters in this election.
Prophetic Resistance Podcast, produced by Faith in Action
This week’s new episode of #PropheticResistance features Minister JaNaé Bates. A womanist theologian and Fulbright scholar. She is a journalist-and-organizer-turned-minister, specializing in the integration of grassroots faith-based organizing and narrative strategy. She is also the director of communications for ISAIAH and Faith in Minnesota, affiliates of Faith in Action and the Faith in Action Fund.
In this episode, we covered some tough topics – the global uprisings sparked by the police killing of George Floyd – especially from her vantage point as a person who lives and works in Minnesota. We talked COVID-19, it’s personal impact on her family and the at-large impact that the pandemic is having on Black bodies. Through it all, JaNaé expands our imagination around resistance to include hope and abundance, reminding us that in this moment of turmoil and struggle we are on the right side of justice and that we are actually winning the narrative fight.
Community Phonebank and Celebration
Wed. Oct. 7, 5 – 6:30 | The Cedar Cultural Center
Join us for a community phonebook where we will be contacting our community to encourage them to claim their voices by being voters this election season, followed by a celebration!
