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:

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.

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

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.”

“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...

Congratulations to Rev. Dr. Dale Caldwell, United Methodist pastor, on his election as Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey!!!

Sunday at 4pm, you're invited! @tableofgrace.bsky.social

Happy All Hallows Eve! Check out @tableofgrace.bsky.social for more info about Sunday afternoon's gathering

After Hurricane Melissa, @umcor.bsky.social is preparing to support the response efforts of its Methodist partners in Jamaica and the Caribbean. People can support recovery by clicking “Donate Now” on UMCOR’s website and selecting “IDR — Hurricane Melissa.” umcmission.org/disaster-res...

The Walton family (who own Walmart) are worth over $400 billion, yet many of their employees are on SNAP. Bezos is worth over $400 billion, many Amazon employees require SNAP. The people who need help are not the problem. It’s corporate greed. It’s an unwillingness to pay a living wage.

There have been so many thoughtful ideas posted lately about how to support families who will be forced to make impossible choices if SNAP benefits stop Nov 1. Brainstorming and sincerely asking, (1/3)

The Florida concentration camp is still operating. People of faith, including United Methodist clergy, are still protesting. www.miamiherald.com/news/local/i...

In a pastoral letter, the #UMC Council of Bishops laments how the ongoing U.S. government shutdown is causing harm and calls on members of the U.S. Congress and all elected leaders to set aside partisanship and work for the common good. Read letter www.unitedmethodistbishops.org/newsdetail/c...

Being outside with my kids is the best 🍁♥️🍂

With warm faith, pastors seek to counter ICE United Methodists in Chicago and Portland, Oregon, are striving to lead courageously by protecting neighbors, sharing their Christian witness and setting the record straight on what’s happening in their cities. www.umnews.org/en/news/with...

Always good to be in Springfield and see so many dedicated people in the halls advocating for justice and progress!

Absolutely horrifying.

My mom put this up outside her house today. She said attendance has been low where she teaches after two students from the community college were abducted by ICE last week. Every day I see more people speaking up and taking a stand, and it gives me hope!

CHICAGO: REBUILD is providing therapy to folks detained by ICE. Please feel free to let people know. findmeatherapist.org

BREAKING: A federal judge has temporarily blocked President Trump from deploying federalized National Guard troops into Chicago. This ruling reinforces what we already knew: It is illegal for the president to use manufactured emergencies to send soldiers into our cities.

So proud of the moral courage of many people of faith, especially my United Methodist clergy colleagues quoted here!

I love people's creativity and the various ways they have found to support each other. I've seen several examples of people doing this in Chicago. If you know a local vendor, can you do the same for them? Sell their goods so they won't be vulnerable to ICE?

Feeling hopeful and inspired after getting to see @johnfugelsang.bsky.social in Chicago tonight! A sold out crowd with a sold out book - this guy is on to something...

Waukegan, IL has a weekly pro-democracy protest and today my parents and I got to join. Thank you to everyone out there fighting for justice in whatever ways you can.

Pick one or two lanes and keep at it. You are one person and cannot do everything or take 10 actions a day.

In Ps. 26:11 today: 'Save me! Have mercy on me!' In South Shore Chicago last night armed agents knocked down doors & disappeared men, women, & children, in box trucks, not even with time to dress. Zip-tying children in the US. Have mercy, Lord. Have mercy those who love God. Mercy is my work today.

A powerful witness: “The Epistle of James says that we should care for the widows and orphans,” Butler told The Washington Post. “I wanted to make sure that we were taking care of them, and thousands of people, it turns out, agree with me.”

Just about every expert says our attention span is 30 seconds or less, but I believe in a radically countercultural Jesus... so here's 30 minutes of conversation between me and my pastor, Bishop @danschwerin.bsky.social I think it'll give you some encouragement. www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDP8...

In Ps.37:6: 'He will make your vindication shine like the light.' The conceits of Christian Nationalism will not stand. Truth will come to the light. Racism is incompatible with Christian teaching. God will use a remnant to teach love of neighbor. Shine is my work today.

In Ps.40:2 today: 'He lifted me out of the pit of death, out of the mud and filth..' In the psalms, the pit is a metaphor for distress, danger, despair, and death. We are in a pit of eroding freedoms, but we have an Exodus God. Out is the direction of love. Out is my work today.

Love your neighbor. And here's the longer version - my sermon from this morning: bit.ly/3V7mXmZ

The president brought up no cash bail and Chicago today. Here’s a reminder: Data emerging from the Circuit Court of Cook County shows that the law is working thetriibe.com/2024/07/essa...

In Ps.82:3 today: 'Give justice to the lowly in the orphan.' True religion, for James 1:27, is care for the widow & orphan. Eckhart said God & justice are completely one. Cornell West says justice is what love looks like in public. Live ubuntu. Justice is my work today.

On Sunday, July 6th at 10am I'll be preaching at The Unitarian Universalist Church, Rockford, IL on the topic, "The Faithfulness of Protest and Prophetic Truth-Telling" and sharing the book, "Speak Up!" I'd love to see you there!

What's a phrase you repeat to yourself when you're trying not to engage with trolls / bullies / counter-protesters? Something like, "I know we're on the side of justice" or "Not gonna give them the satisfaction of the photo op with me" or "Ain't worth my time"

God loves LGBTQ+ people and so does this pastor! 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ Happy Pride!

"Courage, history shows us, is contagious." - Colleen Connell, Executive Director of @aclu.org of IL

I voted!

March 31 is Transgender Day of Visibility but we’re celebrating all month long! Eden Bookstore is proud to offer books celebrating and supporting transgender and non-binary gendered persons. edenbookstore.shop/collections/... #EdenReadin #EdenBookstore #lgbtqia2splus #RaciallyInclusive

A good way to start Women's History Month!

Tyranny requires your fear, your silence, and your compliance. Democracy requires your courage.

Got my copy of this beautiful new devotional by @revlizzie.bsky.social

We were proud to host Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton today at the IBEW Local 364 union hall this afternoon for a round table discussion on the well being of the people of our community under the recent dictatorship of Trump. More pics at www.facebook.com/share/19ztcq... With @violetjohnicker.bsky.social

Say a prayer for the three of us, we've got some news. After seven wonderful years serving as pastor of Brooke Road UMC, the Bishop is appointing me to plant a new United Methodist congregation in Rockford, IL this summer! Lots of unknowns ahead but I'm so excited to follow this calling!