It’s been a very difficult ten days or so in Minnesota and in Rochester, as so many of our neighbors are reeling from the activities of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in our state and cities. Over the weekend, I drove around to see what was happening around us and witnessed how many restaurants and food trucks were closed, how empty many stores were, and, in truth, how light the traffic was. On Monday, even more restaurants and all three Mexican grocery stores in Rochester were closed due to a lack of staff, and out of caution and a desire to protect their staff from the activities of ICE.

The fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis last week and the subsequent violence that has occurred all over our state since then have been a turning point for many people. We probably do not all agree on current immigration policy or practice, and we likely never will agree, but I hope that we can all agree on our response to the violence that we can see with our own eyes on videos and through the witness and stories of our neighbors and others who have experienced it first-hand. I hope that we can agree that our children should be safe in their schools, and that U.S. citizens should not be detained because they have exercised their constitutional right to free speech. We value our freedoms and must hold on to them with all of our might.

But. If you are like me, you are confused, frustrated, sometimes angry and fearful, even sad, and while wanting to respond with faith and love of neighbor, feel isolated and unsure of how to apply our faith and our Baptismal Covenant to the realities of our times. This past Sunday, many of you needed to talk to me and one another about what was on your heart. As a Christian community, how shall we respond to the needs of our neighbors?

To that end, I am inviting all who would like to attend to come to the Menefee Room at 9:20 am this Sunday for a time of prayer and listening, a time of storytelling and processing. This will be a safe space for all, so that if people have opposing stories or views on the current times, they will feel ok in sharing what’s on their heart. We will stay away from policy discussions or political opinions. We will begin and end with prayer, and I will offer a couple of prompt questions if needed, to get the time started. If you feel called just to sit and listen, that is fine too.

With deep love and respect for each of you, and in gratitude for our common life,