Adam Russell Taylor It is commonplace in a number of Christian traditions, including among Moravians, Baptists, Methodists, Anglicans and Pentecostals, to host a watchnight service on New Year’s Eve. In my African-American tradition, this night takes on an added significance as it originated and coincides with a celebration of the passage of the Emancipation Proclamation. These services are often filled with heartfelt testimony about what God has brought people through in the previous year — and with praise in hopeful anticipation for all that God will do in the year to come. As 2020 winds down, there is not nearly enough space to do justice to all of the testimonies about the extreme loss, hardship, grief, and trauma that we have individually and collectively endured this year. A few years ago, I stopped making New Year’s resolutions and replaced them with what I call New Year’s affirmations. Resolutions can often feel like weights that cause you to sink under pressure and expectation rather than a flotation device to lift you up to attain your hopes and aspirations. Building on what has worked for me personally, I want to share some affirmations for our nation and world, as well as for Sojourners' work and mission in 2021.
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Our Latest ‘Soul’ Takes Aim at a Culture of Nonstop Pursuit (by Juliet Vedral) Is being in constant pursuit how we’re meant to live? Poor People’s Campaign, Progressive Caucus Outline a ‘People’s Agenda’ (by Stephanie Russell-Kraft) “Everything here resonates with our deepest religious values to love our neighbors and lift from the bottom,” Barber said. How the Faithful Are Fighting COVID in Post-Hurricane Honduras (by Andrew J. Wight) Thanks to longstanding community connections, many faith-based NGOs are stepping up to provide COVID-aware disaster relief. Where Are the Light Bearers? (by E. Ethelbert Miller) My mother's favorite expression was "the longest day has an end." |
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From the Magazine Alone Together: Watching the Films of 2020 (by Abby Olcese) We may not be able to go to movie theaters, but films still provide an emotional gathering place. |
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Sojourners Year-End Gift Campaign We at Sojourners expanded all areas of our work this year - from our truth-telling journalism to our rapid-response advocacy. We have ambitious plans for 2021, and none of those plans are possible without the entire Sojourners community by our side. Interested in combining your faith and passion for social justice? Apply to Sojourners' yearlong fellowship program! The holistic program offers an entry-level position in our office and shared life in intentional Christian community. The program begins in August 2021. Application deadline is February 15, 2021. Apply now! |
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