Six New Things – Week of April 06, 2026

Blessed Easter! New Life is springing up! Grief and death – the aftermath of fear and hatred – these are passing away. Or at least, their time has come. Let’s move on into Resurrection, even as empire crumbles.

ONE

2026 EcoFaith Summit of the Upper Midwest – From Fear to Fire: Igniting Community for a Planet in Peril – is an opportunity for leaders and congregations across the region to ignite courageous community with:

  • an unquenchable fire of love for Creator and Creation;
  • a controlled burn of holy fear, wonder, and joy – across generations and divides;
  • a germinating fire seed of collaborating and creative networks.

Learn organizing skills, develop courage, and forge powerful networks striving forward in climate care and ecojustice. The Summit’s the place for eye-opening, trail-blazing innovative approaches to climate justice on a congregational scale. With an emphasis on young adult and youth leadership, it will be an energizing day of action, contemplation, learning, friendship-building, and worship.

Plus, here’s a free sermon for Sunday, April 19, from Rev. Emily Meyer. It’s based on the RCL Gospel: Luke’s Emmaus Road Story, one theme text of the Summit.

Learn more and register here. Registration closes Sunday, April 12.

TWO

At the Summit, we’ll make a ‘Hearts on Fire’ banner – inspired by the Palm Sunday Path, ‘Love Never Fails’ Banner, which is available through The Ministry Lab for congregations to borrow. Organize, be loud – inside and out – share the vision and hope and call for justice. Let the banner(s) spark action from the sanctuary, fellowship hall, or back out at the next rally. The Ministry Lab is honored to host both banners. Let us know if you want to borrow them – they should travel the state!! Email ministrylab@uccmn.org to make arrangements.

The Love Never Fails Banner comes with a beautiful litany/blessing perfect for youth leadership!

THREE

This year, the Summit will focus on the essential role of community organizing for the sake of the planet. On an individual scale, check out Concrete Botany: The Ecology of Plants in the Age of Human Disturbance (Cool Springs): it’s  ‘about how the choices we make as individuals can help ensure humanity’s survival on a very disturbed and rapidly changing planet.’ At the Summit, we call it a ‘planet in peril’…

 

FOUR

Keep the climate-&-theology themes going while addressing the needs of folx exploring from across the conservative/evangelical divide: Water in the Desert: Progressive Christianity for the Spiritually Thirsty (Chalice), provides a refreshing oasis.

Folx are seeking out more open-minded congregations. Let’s collaborate on how to welcome and embrace these beloveds and prepare for some of the inevitable messiness of worshiping, studying, and wondering together: ministrylab@uccmn.org.

FIVE

For congregations still clinging to an ideal of silence:

‘Christianity stands or falls with its revolutionary protest against violence, arbitrariness, and pride of power and with its plea for the weak. Christians are doing too little to make these points clear rather than too much. Christendom adjusts itself far too easily to the worship of power. Christians should give more offense, shock the world far more, than they are doing now. Christians should take a stronger stand in favor of the weak rather than considering first the possible right of the strong.’ – The Church and the Jewish Question (Die Kirche for Der Judenfrage); 1933; Dietrich Bonhoeffer, German pastor, theologian, author, and anti-Nazi dissident; martyred April 9, 1945, age 39 (1906-1945).

Rev. Cameron Trimble calls for this clarity and voice, today, writing, ‘We (the church), are asked to see clearly, to recognize when competing goods are in tension, to name the trade-offs being made, and to remain attentive to those who will bear the cost.’, in Who Counts? What Counts? (Piloting Faith; 03.24.26). It’s a commentary on the SAVE Act (here’s a helpful graphic for sharing), but it speaks to the need for the church to be vocal on numerous current concerns.

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People want to hear from the mainline/non-evangelical church!!!!

In The NY Times Believing Newsletter, Lauren Jackson considers, The Role of Public Theology in Crisis (03.24.26; sorry I can’t share a free read of this!), writing, ‘As the war in Iran enters its fourth week [sic], I’m yearning for a more robust conversation about morality – in politics, in our workplaces, and online’.

The church is called to be the voice of the Gospel! People really want to hear Good News!

That’s why I’m humbled to be included in Shalem Institute’s Contemplative Practice in Troubled Times – Limited Series blog. As military violence and inhumane atrocities continue to wreak havoc on our neighbors, Contemplatives Build Bridges (04.10.26): creating safe spaces for public lament, grief, and vigil; ensuring connections to resources, and inviting us all into spaces of peace, grace, healing, and belonging. This is all the public work and witness of the church.

SIX

Is it irony that April is Arab American Heritage Month and we’re in an insane war in the Middle East?

As we move toward a hotly contentious Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month (May), learning from Asian American experience – of both American Christianity and American culture – spotlights where we’ve been, what healing is possible, and where we could be headed – for good and for ill.