by St. John’s Justice Team
This is a time of deep uncertainty and injustice, where fear and urgency can feel paralyzing. As followers of Christ, we know that times like these call us to action rooted in faith, love, and shared hope. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed, to question whether your efforts matter, or to wonder how to begin.
In the midst of so much, many of us are asking:
- What is happening in the church and community?
- What should I be doing? Am I doing enough?
- How do I connect and stay informed?
As St. John’s newly formed Justice Team, we are here to explore these questions with you. Most importantly, know that you are not alone. We are all navigating this together, and your presence, care, and courage are vital.
What is happening at St. John’s and in the community?
In alignment with who we are and the commitments we made in our Day 1 Response, at St. John’s, we are committed to moving in solidarity with our neighbors, especially those most impacted by violence, fear, and loss of resources.
We have opened our doors for community groups to gather in this work, proclaiming that “All are welcome in this place!” Over the past weeks, our church has been a space for grief, prayer, and solidarity – a place where people have gathered to process pain, seek healing, and find strength in shared purpose.
There are many areas of need, and we can’t do everything. Above all, we are leaning into faith, love, and community. We want people to feel supported to process, pray, and take action.
St. John’s Justice Team is available to help you process, ask questions, and connect with ways to get involved based on your gifts and capacity. Reach out to us by email or connect with us at coffee hour.
What should I be doing? Am I doing enough?
The questions of “what to do” and “am I enough?” are weighty, and they are also deeply human. It’s true that as followers of Christ we have a responsibility to give of ourselves, our time, and resources to furthering His kingdom, but how each of us does this will be different. That’s the beauty of collectively acting together.
While actions like protesting and legal observation are highly visible, they are just a few of the many ways we can serve in this moment. Discernment is a spiritual practice. We can ask ourselves: Am I acting in alignment with what God is calling me to do in this moment?
We are called to act with courage, but also with grace – for ourselves and for one another. It’s okay to feel uncertain, to need rest, or to grieve the losses we’ve all experienced. If you’re struggling with doubt, frustration, fear, or grief, please reach out. Our Pastoral Care team is here to listen, pray with you, and walk alongside you through this journey. Learn more and connect with them here. You are not alone.
These moments test our faith, but they also reveal our capacity for love. We are constantly inspired by the ways people are lovingly showing up for one another, in this community and beyond. We are not doing this work alone. Our efforts are part of a broader movement, and together, we can help create a Beloved Community where love, justice, and peace prevail.
One of the most important actions you can take is to just be kind to one person. Too many people are feeling they are not doing enough, especially young adults, and just one act of kindness can make all the difference in today’s environment.
How do I connect and stay informed?
We want everyone to feel connected and supported, and we recognize that information sharing is complicated right now. In this crisis, changes happen quickly, and there are safety and security risks with communications. Our website, newsletters, and bulletins are valuable resources, and they can’t capture the full scope of what’s happening in real time. We are learning as we go, and the situation is constantly evolving.
With that said, there are multiple communication streams available to tap into through St. John’s. The goal is that people are connected to communications and support based on their roles, needs, and capacity. If you’re unsure where to start, we’re here to help.
Checking in with one another. While digital tools and printed communications are important, nothing replaces the power of in-person, hyper-local communication. Whether it’s during coffee hour, at a Faith Formation gathering, or in one-to-one conversations, these moments allow us to process, ask questions, and lean on one another.
St. John’s website: Our website will continue to be a good source to see some of the work moving and to access resources. We compiled Resources for Justice, which include ideas for ways to contribute, get involved, and learn more. We will also be launching additional Discussion Forums for Faith in Action, including Justice, to share updates, answer questions, and promote online discussion.
The Faith in Action page highlights volunteer and outreach opportunities through our Faith in Action formations. We support local community partners who play various frontline roles in this crisis. These partners – such as Hallie Q. Brown, First Nations Kitchen, and Project Home – are doing critical work to support at-risk and marginalized community members. St. John’s is actively connecting parishioners to these partners, offering resources, and raising funds to sustain their efforts. We are also participating in civic leadership and advocacy led by organizations like ISAIAH / Faith in Minnesota, of which we are now a member, ensuring our work is connected to broader movements for justice and equity.
Signal messaging app: St. John’s has started a Signal group to share updates and actions related to our priorities. Signal is a secure, encrypted messaging platform that protects privacy while enabling quick, collective communication. If you’d like to be added, please connect with a Justice Team member at coffee hour, or email the team.