Here you'll find resources to bolster your congregation's community engagement and justice ministries.
Each Social Justice page offers opportunities for Individual, Household, Congregational and broader Community Engagement. There are obvious overlaps there, so feel free to improvise and interpret as you like. Resources are grouped into themes of:
We'll continue to add curated lists within this group as interest dictates, so if you'd like an idea fleshed out, let us know!
Welcome to The Ministry Lab's curated list of resources to help congregational leaders encourage congregational engagement in ending voter suppression and encouraging people to vote. Here you'll find opportunities for:
If you don't find a resource to fit your need, don't hesitate to consult with The Ministry Lab's director, Rev. Emily Meyer, who is happy to assist you.
Start here: Election Protection Resources for Religious Communities
Brian McLaren shared: The Five Electorates in 2020; Clergy - Please Don't Be Silent! (but be non-silent wisely and legally!); and see Three Short Sermons on Politics, Democracy, and Voting.
At brainpickings.org: Maria Popova cites: Octavia Butler's Parable of the Sower (public library) and Parable of the Talents (public library).
Rev. Dr. Michael Piazza writes in his 09.14.20 Liberating Word, "If those words from Ms. Butler don't motivate you to pray and get involved in the election, I'm not sure what will."
United Theological Seminary offered this list of resources in their 10.12.20 Monday Morning newsletter:
Vote.org and whenweallvote.org, offer non-partisan resources about voter registration and the how-tos of voting.
Voters of color will find Color of Change's resources on votingwhileblack.c
LGBTQ Voters can find resources at The Task Force's Queer the Vote and the Human Rights Campaign's Voting Center.
Spiritual communities are offering lots of resources: United Church of Christ: Our Faith Our Vote, the Unitarian Universalist Association: UU the Vote, Presbyterian: PCUSA Votes, a letter from Buddhist teachers about voting in the 2020 election, The Episcopal Church: Vote Faithfully, Lutheran: ELCAVotes, Council on American Islamic Relations: MuslimsVote. There are also resources at Faith in Action and Interfaith Alliance.
This publicly available toolkit is designed for faith, religious, and spirit-rooted communities that are mobilizing to protect the vote in the 2020 general election.
Please share widely using bit.ly/faithfulelection, and submit additional resources here.
Election Day community engagement & worship planning resources
from A Sanctified Art; free and downloadable
God of Many Names: A Litany for Loving Well though We Do Not Think Alike
from Upper Room and Chris Broadwell, contributor to Rally: Communal Prayers for Lovers of Jesus and Justice
Rev. Elsa Cook offers Pandemic Prayers for Proper 27, including prayers, confession and response music (from The Many).
Peter Wallace's blog post Anger in the Service of Justice: Following Jesus’ Example offers helpful biblical context and grounding.
MPR News & the League of Women Voters of Minnesota provide a voter guide.
Questions leading up to the Election Day? #AskMPRNews.
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#ELCAVotes |
Tools for talking with American citizens eligible to vote who are living with a disability.
And/or see: The Autism Self Advocacy Network's (ASAN) online toolkit, which walks a person through the process of registering, getting a mail-in ballot, and more.
Download the toolkit's chapter, “All About Voting” (PDF) and/or the Easy Read toolkit called Your Vote Counts: A Self-Advocate’s Guide to Voting in the U.S.
ASAN and the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law created a plain-language guide to voting rights for people with mental disabilities, including people under guardianship.
Mobilize America offers a one-stop-shop to help you get out the vote!
Stacey Abrams & the History of Voter Suppression in America
The Movement for a Future without Policing & Prisons
Kaepernick Publishing & LEVEL publish 30 stories that point to a future that puts the needs of the community first
The Autism Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) has resources online that walk a person through the process of registering, getting a mail-in ballot, and more. All About Voting and Your Vote Counts: A Self-Advocate’s Guide to Voting in the U.S. may be the most helpful.
ASAN and the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law created a plain-language guide to voting rights for people with mental disabilities, including people under guardianship.
In Pastoral Is Political: "Pastor, Stay in Your Lane!", Sharon Temple wonders what would happen if clergy doubled-down on the theology of baptism and if we first focus on who we are voting as, before we consider who to vote for.
The Five Electorates in 2020; and Clergy - Please Don't Be Silent! (but be non-silent wisely and legally!): essential reading in preparation for the coming election season. And take advantage of Three Short Sermons on Politics, Democracy and Voting.
Get Out the Vote text-banks with MNIPL Zoom for a training:
faith values voter guide to share
UCC and ecumenical faith leaders speak out about voting
Rev. Sheri Prestemon's article: Where Faith and Politics Meet
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Churches see census as part of their mission |
See the UMC's call for Engaging in the Electoral Process.
Dakotas-Minnesota Area Bishop Bruce R. Ough is among more than 50 U.S.-based bishops who signed a statement on Faith and Democracy, calling on the people of The United Methodist Church to support voter registration and encourage people to vote in the November 3 elections.
offers opportunities to engage in the work of getting out the vote.
Living Lutheran’s October issue lead feature answers the question ”How should Lutherans be involved in politics?” Other denominations may find wisdom, as well. Read the full article here and download the study guide.
Turn Out Sunday / Lawyers and Collars toolkit. Watch two inspiring videos (and share with your congregation!) and learn how you can support voter turnout, safeguard polling areas and ensure that every vote is counted.
You might share this beautiful video from the Franciscan Action Network on your website.
Welcome to The Ministry Lab's curated list of resources to help congregational leaders encourage congregational engagement in the work of environmental sustainability. Here you'll find opportunities for:
If you don't find a resource to fit your need, don't hesitate to consult with The Ministry Lab's director, Rev. Emily Meyer, who is happy to assist you.
Global Ministries EarthKeepers is a training program that equips US-based United Methodists to launch and grow environmental projects in their communities. Topics include eco-theology, anti-racism, community organizing, and project planning. All participants plan a project during the training. Find out more and apply.
Farmer-Eater Exchange: avoid food waste;
Community Supported Agriculture directory: openings for this season.
Become a Climate Justice Household
Stop the Enbridge Line 3 pipeline! Request a yard sign.
Become a Climate Justice Congregation and/or host one to three of their virtual Winter 2021 Connect & Act Series for Climate Justice: Line 3 Conversation; Forward on Federal Climate Action; and/or Take Action on Climate Change from Home
Four events held on Zoom consider our sacred connections to land, water and air and how individuals, families, and congregations might respond to climate change. The events are free and open to all.
Help spread the word to stop the Enbridge Line 3 pipeline! Request a yard sign.
a suite of Grades 3-12 curriculum resources
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Justice on Earth: People of Faith Working at the Intersections of Race, Class, and the Environment |
Also available as an eBook in the Amazon Kindle store and on Google Play.
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The Indigenous Fight for Environmental Justice from Colonization to Standing Rock |
offers diverse and changing opportunities to engage in the work of climate care and natural disaster relief locally, nationally and globally.
View a trailer, join a multi-group event, or create a virtual screening
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Water Where We Live: Rain Gardens for Churches: Monthly water events for churches are posted here. |
AND SEE: Water Stories for Churches
A St. Paul Water Story: Lake McCarrons & Galilee Lutheran Church
Water Stories from Luther Seminary Students (part 1) Africa & Indonesia
Water Stories: Luther Seminary Students (part 2) Africa & Indonesia
Water Stories: Rain Gardens for Churches with Macalester Plymouth United Church
'Water Is Life' is a UM News photo-essay chronicling global struggles for clean water and the church’s efforts to provide clean water to rural Africa. View package
Visit the Wakan Tipi Center, part of the Lower Phalen Creek Project.
Develop your own excursion or work with Heidi@growinggreenhearts.com.
Reconciling relationships with nature: In a video released by United Methodist Global Ministries, Rev. Tyler Sit, an EarthKeeper who serves New City Church in Minneapolis, shares the importance of connecting with the Earth and how leading a program that provides nature-based therapy in support of people of color is impacting his community. Watch video
Welcome to The Ministry Lab's curated list of resources to help congregational leaders facilitated healing conversations about and in the midst of conflict, division and reconciliation: within and without the congregation. Here you'll find opportunities for:
If you don't find a resource to fit your need, don't hesitate to consult with The Ministry Lab's director, Rev. Emily Meyer, who is happy to assist you.
Guidelines (adopted in 1992) for use in times of conflict and disagreement.
Kyle Roberts, Dean and Vice President of Academic Affairs at United Theological Seminary, authored, “Leading Through the Contention: Guidance from Open and Relational Theology in Navigating Conflict".
Rev. Dr. Michael Piazza urges us to name America's Dividing Line as what it is: racism. Only after naming the divide can we hope to heal it.
LeaderWise's Dan Nelson, PhD, LP, collated a beautiful Interfaith Prayer for Peace. Adding pieces from other world religions or individuals - especially publicly/currently demonized groups - might add to its power.
An Interactive Journal on Christian Social Justice offers numerous and varied ways to engage.
Rev. Angela Denker asks, is this The End of Dialogue?
Brian McLaren's, The Five Electorates in 2020 is essential reading for understanding the "other"; see also Recognizing Our Biases.
MennoMedia’s ~ing Podcast Episodes 14 & 16 feature Mennonite pastor and author Melissa Florer-Bixler speaking about loving one’s enemies and author Shane Claiborne speaking on love amid violence, respectively.
Sister Joan Chittister issues A Call to Be One.
Podcast Episode 8: Dr. Stephanie Krehbiel reflects on the challenge of addressing sexual violence in institutionalized church spaces.
Barbara A. Holmes' film series with The Work of the People: A Transcendent Leap (on our cosmic identities), Womanist Theology, Release the Fire (on Pentecost and the Spirit), Be the Mystery, Emerging Wholeness (on God's call to love our neighbor), A Contemplative Moment (on how contemplative prayer births prophetic proclamation and action).
An Interactive Journal on Christian Social Justice
Their Gender page is updated regularly with articles reflective of current events, issues, and practices.
Welcome to The Ministry Lab's curated list of resources to help congregational leaders encourage congregational engagement in the work of Covid-10 Compassion. Here you'll find opportunities for:
If you don't find a resource to fit your need, don't hesitate to consult with The Ministry Lab's director, Rev. Emily Meyer, who is happy to assist you.
The Women of the MN Annual Conference UMC invite you to make masks.
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offer lists of pandemic service opportunities
Donate household items and clothes to Old School, by Steeple People
Lewis Center for Church Leadership has a growing list of Covid-19-related resources on topics of Social Action, Stewardship, Technology, and Hospitality.
Two stories of churches that have provided space for students to engage in remote learning and five tips for other churches considering doing the same.
numerous ideas and links for creative responses to community needs
Understanding common felt needs may help in launching an online micro-community and showing compassion for neighbors.
The leaders of more than a dozen judicatories in Minnesota crafted a joint statement voicing concern about the increase in COVID-19 cases and urging Minnesotans to serve their communities, partner with neighbors and health care workers, and make changes that will save lives.
Check out the 2020 Medical Debt Summit, recorded 10.06.20. See Matthew 25 in the PC(USA) for inspiration.
Sign and share this statement to Congress urging compassionate release of people in federal prisons during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Share a letter of support for – and solidarity with – your local health care providers and other frontline workers. Invite neighboring faith communities to join you. [Expand the Christian references accordingly, to include others.] Share a “signed” version on your website and/or a local media outlet.
Minneapolis Forward shares resources (to offer or receive) related to COVID-19 and the transformation of the city.
Find a plethora of resources for Bible study, book discussion, and diversity training in Rev. Jia Starr Brown's 2020 Journey to Freedom series. Find the entire video line-up in our Journey to Freedom Vimeo Showcase. Learn more here.
An Interactive Journal on Christian Social Justice
Their LGBTQIA+ and Gender pages are updated regularly with articles reflective of current events, issues, and practices.
The Ministry Lab is excited to share access to Rev. Jia Starr Brown's transformative series, Journey to Freedom: Embracing God's Cultural Mosaic of People. Along with diversity trainings, Bible studies, and book groups, the 2020 them, Intersectionality, was brought to life by six guest preachers reflecting on John 4:4-26 (The Woman at the Well) and poetry and music from Minnesota-based artists.
Welcome to The Ministry Lab's curated list of resources to help congregational leaders encourage congregational engagement in the work of gun control and mitigating gun violence. Here you'll find opportunities for:
If you don't find a resource to fit your need, don't hesitate to consult with The Ministry Lab's director, Rev. Emily Meyer, who is happy to assist you.
Peter Wallace's blog post Anger in the Service of Justice: Following Jesus’ Example offers helpful biblical context and grounding.
explores the guns-into-garden tools movement with Mike Martin and Shane Claiborne discussing the RAWTools organization.
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ENGAGE is a Saint Paul Area Synod (ELCA) public witness committee on gun violence prevention. |
An Interactive Journal on Christian Social Justice offers numerous and varied ways to engage.
Volunteer with Protect Minnesota to participate in virtual activities to tell legislators that we need Universal Background Checks and Extreme Risk Protection Orders now!
545 of Our Children by Dr. Eric Barreto
What Is Happening with Our Immigrant Brothers and Sisters?
led by Hanna Sandison (The Advocates for Human Rights) & Julio Zelaya (ACLU, Mankato)
October 26, 2020; 7-8 PM CST
What Is Happening at Our Southern Border? with Dora Rodriguez, Nellie Jo David, and Dam Millis; December 7, 2020 7:00-8:30 PM CST; Register for the zoom link.
Richard Blanco's How to Love a Country and other poems and writings on the many Homes we carry within us.
From MN Council of Churches:
Volunteer Virtually with Refugee Services: Online. Refugee Services of the Minnesota Council of Churches needs online volunteers. Help refugees with the skills needed to navigate life in Minnesota and with English conversation practice.
An Interactive Journal on Christian Social Justice offers numerous and varied ways to engage.
See the Equal Justice Initiative interviews and the movie based on Just Mercy.
Award winning film by Ava DuVernay; focuses on the history of racism in America and the rise of the prison industrial complex
This documentary follows the police of Oakland, California, as they reform and face the challenges of corruption, commitment and cataclysmic change.
An award-winning, timely profile of WeCopwatch, an organization that seeks to disrupt the ever-present challenge of police violence by filming the police as a non-violent form of protest.
Told by the activists and leaders who live and breathe this movement for justice, Whose Streets? is an unflinching look at the Ferguson uprising.
The Movement for a Future without Policing & Prisons
Kaepernick Publishing & LEVEL publish 30 stories that point to a future that puts the needs of the community first
Scroll through the blog for a four-part series on Policing and the Church.
Enough is Enough!
The Kaleo Center blog included a link to Uprising Minnesota, “A regularly updated site on how to support Black organizing in the Twin Cities”; Jae Hyun Shim’s excellent article about how we came to this moment in Minneapolis; and Mariame Kaba’s NY Times article, Yes, We Mean Literally Abolish the Police.
Call To Mind: Spotlight On Black Trauma And Policing (MPR) - with Angela Davis hosting Spotlight on Black Trauma and Policing, a live virtual community conversation including Resmaa Menakem and Justin Terrell.
Welcome to The Ministry Lab's curated list of resources to help congregational leaders encourage congregational engagement in the work of eliminating poverty, hunger, homelessness, and transiency. Here you'll find opportunities for:
If you don't find a resource to fit your need, don't hesitate to consult with The Ministry Lab's director, Rev. Emily Meyer, who is happy to assist you.
is distributing food, water, medical care, and support for residents and protesters in South Minneapolis.
Global Ministries EarthKeepers is a training program that equips US-based United Methodists to launch and grow environmental projects in their communities. Topics include eco-theology, anti-racism, community organizing, and project planning. All participants plan a project during the training. Find out more and apply.
St. Paul area churches and Hamline are collecting funds for Keystone Community Services and Interfaith Action of Greater St. Paul. Donate here.
needs volunteers. Sign up for a time.
LSS of MN's Sponsor a Youth holiday gift program is for individuals, families or groups. Complete the sponsor form by Nov. 20.
ELCA World Hunger encourage addressing local, regional and global hunger.
Seasonally appropriate materials guide congregations in specific actions and provide for worship and study.
Creating Sacred Settlements for folks who do not want to live without a home. Engage financially and/or through hands-on projects.
offers diverse, seasonal and changing opportunities to engage in the work of ending poverty and hunger locally and globally.
Interfaith Action of Greater St Paul provide support and encouragement to folks living on the margins through:
Encourage MN legislators to pass the Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program.
Call your state representative and state senator to urge them to increase the amount of aid their leadership is pushing for.
Make a loan, change a life.
With Kiva you can lend a small amount of money and make a big change in someone's life. It's fast and easy to get started.
Author Rebekah Gienapp (Raising Antiracist Kids: An Age by Age Guide for Parents of White Children) offers 18 Children’s Books About Poverty and Hunger.
Welcome to The Ministry Lab's curated list of resources to help foster congregational engagement in the work of anti-racism and ending white supremacy culture. For study and conversation prompts, please see our Talking about Racism guides for Children and Parents; Tweens & Teens; and Young Adults & Adults.
Here you'll find opportunities for:
If you don't find a resource to fit your need, don't hesitate to consult with The Ministry Lab's director, Rev. Emily Meyer, who is happy to assist you.
Send this letter to our nation’s lawmakers to end systemic racism and implement a reconstruction agenda for our country.
Linden Hills UCC (Minneapolis) offers Acts of Charity in Response to George Floyd.
Support the Minneapolis uprisings
Uprising Minnesota provides concrete steps for action and engagement.
Global Ministries EarthKeepers is a training program that equips US-based United Methodists to launch and grow environmental projects in their communities. Topics include eco-theology, anti-racism, community organizing, and project planning. All participants plan a project during the training. Find out more and apply.
Support the Minneapolis uprisings
Uprising Minnesota provides concrete steps for action and engagement.
The Ministry Lab is excited to share access to Rev. Jia Starr Brown's transformative series, Journey to Freedom: Embracing God's Cultural Mosaic of People. Along with diversity trainings, Bible studies, and book groups, the 2020 them, Intersectionality, was brought to life by six guest preachers reflecting on John 4:4-26 (The Woman at the Well) and poetry and music from Minnesota-based artists.
The Rev. Jia Starr Brown of First Covenant Church Minneapolis invites congregations to join the ACTION Project, a yearlong initiative of courageous listening, learning and action toward bridging gaps of equity and justice.
Church Anew Unequivocally Denounces White Supremacy
[Offered for learning and as a template for similar posts in social media and on websites.]
See Joe Davis' invitation to Deepen Humility and Compassion with the IDI; develop institutional intercultural awareness and competence; and/or join Round 2 of Davis' and Dave Scherer's Next Faithful Move.
ISAIAH is a multi-racial, state-wide, nonpartisan coalition of faith communities fighting for racial and economic justice in Minnesota.
Several blogs highlighting ways congregations can work for systemic change:
Rev. Dr. Ronald Bell Jr. implores that we Do Not Look Away!
Rev. Jim Bear Jacobs of the MN Council of Churches' Open Letter to White Clergy
Anahkwud Mihgiizay, Ajiijak Dodem’s (Wendy Stone’s) post on Ways Minnesota’s White Churches Need to Use Their Power and Faith
Multifaith Anti-Racism Change & Healing’s (MARCH) Statement;
African American college student, Lucy Smith’s, conversation with her white clergy mom, Rev. Mary Austin
The Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival's list of Demands on Systemic Racism and Police Violence
Black Visions Collective, Reclaim the Block, Minnesota Freedom Fund, CTUL, COPAL, Black Lives Matter Minneapolis, NAACP Minneapolis, Voices for Racial Justice
MPD150's report asking us to imagine a different relationship to policing as a society
Friday, Nov. 13-Saturday, Nov. 14 | Online
Keynote speaker: Dr. Eddie S. Glaude
Other speakers and presenters include: Chanda Smith Baker with May Lee-Yang; Michael McDowell; Jim Bear Jacobs; and Judith Marquz Duran. Cost is $125 for both days or $65 per day; student tickets and limited scholarships are available
Interfaith Action of Greater St Paul provide support and encouragement to folks living on the margins through:
An Interactive Journal on Christian Social Justice offers numerous and varied ways to engage.
RECLAIM the Block networks neighborhood organizations for local solutions to safety, affordable housing, hunger/food deserts, and unjust policing.
Racial equity in the areas of education, family achievement, home-ownership and more.
Daily Meditations on Restorative Justice (September 6-11):
For personal practice or community discussions.
Executive Director Mark Sundby, referencing this twitter thread by Aisha Ahmad advises that now (09.29.20) is the time to lean in to conversation about race.
Reconciling relationships with nature: In a video released by United Methodist Global Ministries, Rev. Tyler Sit, an EarthKeeper who serves New City Church in Minneapolis, shares the importance of connecting with the Earth and how leading a program that provides nature-based therapy in support of people of color is impacting his community. Watch video
