Rockford's new church @tableofgrace.bsky.social is launching in a week and a half!

The new church I've been appointed to start is officially launching in two weeks and I'm so excited!!! Please say a prayer for us! We're praying for you too!

Flock is dangerous and Rockford should cancel our license plate reader contract with them immediately. Read more from my friend Kathleen, Rockford ACLU President, and me here: drive.google.com/file/d/1YaZh...

“It’s about time to have Christians standing up for what Jesus said,” including welcoming immigrants,” he said.

“People being pushed into unmarked vans by masked men isn’t it,” added his wife...

www.chicagocatholic.com/web/chicago-...

Today is Epiphany, celebrating wise leaders who recognized the divinity of Jesus and worshipped him instead of King Herod who wanted their unquestioning worship. May Christians in the US reflect on this lesson for our times, particularly on the five year anniversary of the January 6th insurrection.

… &nbs…

Link to poem here: dadakuku.com/2025/10/15/8...

Pretending we are apolitical or neutral actually gives our blessing to those in power, and does make us complicit in their actions. Jesus was deeply political in calling for justice and nonviolence and love. May we follow his example publicly and faithfully. (2/3)

This powerful piece by Julie Schwerin is framed in my office because it tells a convicting truth. Sharing it today in hope that it could be received as an invitation to people and churches who prefer to "stay out of politics," when in reality there's no such thing. (1/3)

If it sounds like I'm a little sick it's because I am, but I still wanted to make one more video with hope for the new year 🎉

Protest for the ACA outside Rep. LaHood's Rockford office this Wednesday, join us!

RSVP here: www.mobilize.us/citizenactio...

UPDATE: Another Chicago-area church has put up an immigration-themed Nativity scene.

A church member at Urban Village Church sent this one along, where Mary, Joseph and Jesus are gone and replaced with a sign that reads: “Due to ICE activity in our community, the Holy Family is in hiding.”

In Ps. 112:5 today: 'It is well with those who deal generously.' Generosity & well-being are sisters, offspring of justice & mercy. In a moment of rage bait algorithms, & fear of immigrants, deal generously. Consider grace. Generously is my meditation today.

Winnebago Co. community asked to participate in Mental Health Board public survey The WCCMHB asks the community to share their thoughts on mental health and substance use service gaps and needs in Winnebago County.

The Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board (WCCMHB) asks the community to share their thoughts on mental health and substance use service gaps and needs in Winnebago County.

One of the best Advent memes...

What gives you hope?
A little Advent reflection from @tableofgrace.bsky.social

All you Fascists Bound to Lose -key of D

open.spotify.com/track/0lYykZ...

This is HORRIFYING. I looked it up and took my own screenshot. Joining with people of good faith and conscience to denounce this racist fascist propaganda.

Rockford, you're invited to an Advent wreath making party! this @tableofgrace.bsky.social space is for you all ages to make new friends and learn how we're called to embody hope, peace, joy, and love in a season when so many really need it. Sunday at 3pm at the Good Shepherd YMCA.

I totally support this. Churches should not be able to endorse candidates. The ethical ones already don't, and it should be illegal.

Oh my.

James Talarico is incredibly skilled in dismantling Christian Nationalists.

Get this man in the Senate.

EAST CHARLOTTE — Border Patrol officials announced Monday that, after a weekend of visiting nearly every church in Charlotte, agents were “unable to locate Jesús,” despite what they described as “extensive on-site efforts.”

Article at: thecharlotten.com/despite-raid...

Absolutely disgusted by this language from the Department of Homeland Security social media. My clergy colleagues who protested today have jobs, and I pray they will have the grace to forgive those who insulted them as they advocate for the marginalized beloved children of God who Jesus loves.

Oh wow @reuters.com got the photo here:

GC2028 delegate count marks historic shift | UMNews.org Organizers of The United Methodist Church’s top legislative meeting have set the total number of delegates, who for the first time will mostly come from outside the U.S.

Organizers of The United Methodist Church’s top legislative meeting have set the total number of delegates, who for the first time will mostly come from outside the U.S.

www.umnews.org/en/news/gc20...

Buried in here: UMC pastors in Chicago told me they were going to keep doing this for a wide spectrum of Methodists who have legal battles amid the ongoing mass deportation effort in the city — immigrant families, pastors who have been arrested, etc.

Some serious denominational solidarity here.

Methodist pastors march into courtroom to support 'boring suburban dad' indicted for protesting CHICAGO (RNS) — ‘If you come for one United Methodist, you have come for all of us,’ said a Chicago area UMC pastor.

Very proud to see United Methodists showing up in numbers for the civil rights of protesters and immigrants

I Want You to Understand Chicago Politics Chicago 2025-11-08 I want you to understand what it is like to live in Chicago during this time. Every day my phone buzzes. It is a neighborhood group: four people were kidnapped at the corner drugstore. A friend a mile away sends a Slack message: she was at the scene when masked men assaulted and abducted two people on the street. A plumber working on my pipes is distraught, and I find out that two of his employees were kidnapped that morning. A week later it happens again. An email arrives. Agents with guns have chased a teacher into the school where she works. They did not have a warrant. They dragged her away, ignoring her and her colleagues’ pleas to show proof of her documentation. That evening I stand a few feet from the parents of Rayito de Sol and listen to them describe, with anguish, how good Ms. Diana was to their children. What it is like to have strangers with guns traumatize your kids. For a teacher to hide a three-year-old child for fear they might be killed. How their relatives will no longer leave the house. I hear the pain and fury in their voices, and I wonder who will be next. Understand what it is to pray in Chicago. On September 19th, Reverend David Black, lead pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Chicago, was praying outside the ICE detention center in Broadview when a DHS agent shot him in the head with pepper balls. Pepper balls are never supposed to be fired at the head because they can seriously injure, or even kill. “We could hear them laughing as they were shooting us from the roof,” Black recalled. He is not the only member of the clergy ICE has assaulted. Methodist pastor Hannah Kardon was violently arrested on October 17th, and Baptist pastor Michael Woolf was shot with pepper balls on November 1st. Understand what it is to sleep in Chicago. On the night of September 30th, federal agents rappelled from a Black Hawk helicopter to execute a raid on an apartment building on the South Sho…

Kyle Kingsbury is not a journalist. He is not an op-ed writer.

He is a computer safety researcher.

And he has written one of the most compelling, comprehensive accounts of the ongoing hell in Chicago that you could possibly imagine.

In under 1600 words.

aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...

In Ps. 138:3 today: 'You encouraged me with inner strength.' Resilience is the gift of encouragement. Inner strength is like a meal at midday. This is a marathon moment. May the day hold a second wind for your soul. Strength is my prayer today.

UPDATE: Reached out to the Rev. Hannah Kardon, a United Methodist minister who was there that day and has been active in religious demonstrations at Broadview.

“They are making it clear that they are scared of prayer … it speaks the truth that what they are doing in that building is evil.”

Feds Tell Faith Leaders 'No More Prayer' Outside Broadview Facility In a possible violation of the First Amendment, federal officials instructed demonstrators to stop holding religious gatherings outside the immigration processing facility in suburban Broadview after ...

“Federal authorities told demonstrators Friday that there would be ‘no more prayer’ in front of or inside the Broadview ICE facility, in a move that mystified local leaders and raised legal questions.” blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/07/f...