Congratulations to our member congregations and dedicated volunteers. In the recent lame duck session of the Illinois General Assembly, Community Renewal Society won many historic changes which will help end systemic racism. Join us in celebrating the passing of four monumental victories.

Too often, police break into homes with guns pointing, shouting expletives and frightening innocent children and families.

People from my neighborhood and other Black and Brown communities in Chicago are hurting.

The threat we witnessed at the United States Capitol today is not unprecedented. We will hear political figures indicate the disorder does not reflect American practice and values. We cannot afford to be apologetic in this moment or romanticize American history.

The Chicago Police Department’s invasion of Anjanette Young’s home and disregard of her pleas is systemic degradation.

Sickness has plagued us from the beginning of time. It’s the reason why healing is such a key component of our sacred text.

Whether we help in a food pantry, open our doors to a person looking for shelter, or give a dollar to a person in need, we reflect on Luke 10 as a call for spiritual renewal.

There is an old saying that it is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness. Let’s light some candles today.

Glowing flaming crosses are just as American as glaring red rockets. Systemic racism and White supremacy are among our nation’s cornerstones.

“This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls.” Romans 6:19a New Living Translation (NLT).

A promise of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness is our nation’s cornerstone—the seed from which the American Dream grew.

Individuals from around the country can join the effort for record turnout in the runoffs.

Housing is a critical need, especially during a pandemic. This is even more true for people returning from incarceration who are 10 times more likely to be homeless.

This Advent season Sisters and Brothers let us remember that anticipatory Joy. Let us remember that there is a Joy so powerful that it can make us fall to our knees.

Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies.

The Restorative Sentencing Act is a measure born out of the inspiration of a group of men confined at the Kewanee Life Skills Re-entry Center, located in Kewanee, Illinois. The measure started as a quest to abolish Truth-in-Sentencing laws. Please urge your legislators to support this Act.

The Justice and Witness Ministry of the Chicago Metropolitan Association of the Illinois Conference of the United Church of Christ has put together educational programs plus other resources.

Community Renewal Society is essential to the eradication of systemic racism in the United States because we must breathe.

View the first in a series of animated videos about Cassandra's fight to get justice for Nickolas Lee, her husband who died after contracting COVID-19 in Cook County Jail.

Necropolitics: The Religious Crisis of Mass Incarceration in America By CRS board member, Christopher D. Ringer