6 This is the kind of fast day I'm after: to break the chains of injustice, get rid of exploitation in the workplace, free the oppressed, cancel debts. 7 What I'm interested in seeing you do is: sharing your food with the hungry, inviting the homeless poor into your homes, putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad, being available to your own families. Isaiah 58:6-7 MSG

As we embark upon a new era with a new administration, we continue to fight for this vision, demanding that just and equitable systems be created.

One of my congregants recently said that churches are doing plenty of good charity work for those who are in need, but little work to change the systems that made them need in the first place. I would say that’s a fair assessment.

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.

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.

We must breathe to keep our hearts beating and blood flowing. But, so many of life’s challenges threaten to or actually do suffocate us.