SojoMail - Preparing for the coming king (no, I don’t mean Trump)

View this email in your browser This week: Preparing for the heavenly king, resisting conspiracy theories, and learning to love, even when it’s hard. Preparing for the Coming King (No, I Don’t Mean Trump) In this week’s SojoMail, Adam Russell Taylor writes that at Christmas we celebrate the birth of a heavenly king — and yet so many Christians mistakenly idolize an earthly one: In this four-week season of Advent, Christians from many traditions anticipate the arrival of Jesus, reflecting upon the themes of hope, peace, joy, and love. Advent comes from the Latin word adventus, which means “coming” or “arrival” of an anticipated king. This anticipated arrival of a king has profound meaning for our past, present, and future, as it points to Jesus’ birth over 2,000 years ago, our new life now in Jesus, and the promise of Jesus’ eventual return. The baby Jesus, who arrives in a lowly barn rather than a palace, is destined not for an earthly throne but a heavenly one. At Christmas we celebrate the birth of this heavenly king — and yet still so many Christians mistakenly seek and even idolize an earthly one, including in the context of elections. After the results of the U.S. election became clear last month, there was no shortage of celebrations of President-elect Donald Trump’s victory from leaders on the Religious Right. While I don’t share their optimism about what a second Trump presidency will mean for our country (though I continue to pray for the incoming administration and Congress), I can remember what it’s like when the candidate you supported went on to win the presidency; I felt some of that intense hope myself when Barack Obama was elected president in 2008. But there was another theme that ran through many of the post-election celebratory statements from Christian leaders that I find much more problematic: the belief that Trump has been anointed by God to return to the White House. Read the full article Advertisement Our Latest Stories Powers, Principalities, and ‘The Penguin’ (by Joe George) Whether in ancient Rome or Gotham City, you can’t use the master’s tools to dismantle the master’s house. Joe George on Sofia Gigante’s rise to power in a system built against her. Read more Why Does Religion Journalism Matter to Democracy? Ask a Texas Reporter (by Mitchell Atencio) Robert Downen knows the connections between the Texas GOP, David Barton, and the SBC crisis. Read more Christians Must Resist Conspiracy Theories After Hurricanes (by Emily Baez) I live in Florida, so when people spread lies about dangerous weather, it's personal. Read more From the Magazine: Love Is Still a Viable Choice (by Julie Polter) Love requires risk and self-sacrifice. And being brave has never really been my thing. But I’m trying to practice, one day at a time. Read more Advertisements Discover Satish Kumar's Vision of Soil, Soul, and Society In Soil, Soul, Society, renowned activist Satish Kumar reveals how our well-being is deeply connected to the planet’s health. Inspiring and hopeful, this book invites us to embrace mindful living, honor nature, and lead with compassion to create lasting peace and a truly sustainable future. The Risk Of Living Together - Online series by the WCCM New perspectives to recover a humane world. Starting 4 February 2025. More on our website. Justice-Forward Spiritual Direction at Eastern Mennonite Seminary Learn to walk with ministers and activists through a changing spiritual landscape in Eastern Mennonite Seminary’s Justice-Forward Spiritual Direction Program. Develop foundational knowledge and core skills to accompany leaders in peace and justice work. Fully online learning with a flexible pace. Apply now for your first course beginning January 2025. Christ in the Rubble, the Book In this impassioned and incisive book, Munther Isaac challenges mainstream Christians’ uncritical embrace of the modern State of Israel. A prominent Palestinian Christian pastor and theologian, Isaac proclaims a truth rarely acknowledged in Christian circles: Israel’s campaign to eliminate the Palestinian people did not begin after October 7, 2023. Donate Subscribe Unsubscribe or update email preferences Copyright © 2024 Sojourners. All rights reserved. Sojourners | 408 C St. NE | Washington, DC 20002 Email: sojourners@sojo.net | Tel.: 202.328.8842

EarthBeat Weekly: Catholic sisters, Native tribes dialogue over questions of land justice

Catholic sisters, Native tribes dialogue over questions of land justice   EarthBeat Weekly Your weekly newsletter about faith and climate change December 20, 2024   Some of the young people of the Stockbridge-Munsee Community Band of Mohican Indians in Wisconsin, during an Aug. 30 outing to the Buttonhook Forest property in Chappaqua, New York. The visit of young people was shepherded by the Dominican Sisters of Hope, whose sponsored ministry, the Center at Mariandale, hosted the visitors. (GSR photo/Chris Herlinger) In late summer, the Dominican Sisters of Hope hosted a special group of visitors to their Center at Mariandale in the Ossining, New York, area. The 10 guests were all members  of the Stockbridge-Munsee Community Band of Mohican Indians in Wisconsin, but whose ancestral lands include those now owned by the Dominican sisters. Their tribal community was among those forced from the Hudson River Valley following the American Revolution. "I can breathe," Janiyakuha Webster, 23, told GSR international correspondent Chris Herlinger as the young man marveled at the cool expanse of trees, hills and trails on the final day of August. "It feels like home." The weeklong homelands immersion back into their ancestral home was part of efforts by the Dominican sisters to promote land justice: the process of what one advocate described to Herlinger as "centering racial and ecological justice" in how land is used and loved, owned and governed. The congregation's openness to dialogue and hospitality is part of a wider initiative by Land Justice Futures, formerly known as the Nuns and Nones Land Justice Project. The Dominican Sisters of Hope are one of 14 congregations "seeking to build land justice into their property plans." It's a process the Dominicans know is a long one, but one they and other religious congregations are taking seriously. With many congregations engaged with themes of "integral ecology, cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor," sisters are making decisions about land that involve building healing relationships with "those around them," including those who have been disenfranchised, said Brittany Koteles, the co-founder and director of Land Justice Futures. Sisters, she told Herlinger, "are the leading edge of the world's largest private landowner, the Catholic Church. And so the decisions that they make, they have the power to really change culture and set precedent for a deepening of relationship and a healing of a wound that has been unfolding for 500 years." The dialogues with Catholic sisters come amid a moment when numerous Native tribes have sought to reacquire control over their ancestral lands, known as the land back movement. In the past year, governments in New York and California returned thousands of acres of land to Native tribes, as did the U.S. Interior Department over the past decade with nearly 3 million acres in 15 states. Another congregation involved in Land Justice Future's pilot project is the Sisters of St. Joseph, Brentwood, New York, who are growing a relationship with the sovereign Shinnecock Indian Nation on Long Island. "At this transitional moment in the history of religious life, we need to explore other ways to engage in decisions regarding land that are contemplative, creative and just," said St. Joseph Sr. Joan Gallagher. Read the full story: Whose land is this land? Sisters, Native tribes begin process of land justice   What else is new on EarthBeat:   Biden just set a big new climate goal. Can the US achieve it? by Jake Bittle, Matt Simon, Grist The White House announced a new national goal that would see the country's greenhouse gas emissions drop up to 66%, but its fulfillment may fall on states and cities during a second Trump administration. Read more here »   Catholic education could be key to unlock greater climate finance by Griffin Thompson Local and regionally based Catholic universities around the globe could help provide the expertise, innovation and creativity to climate challenges that can benefit developing countries.  Read more here »   In his final weeks, Biden aims to cut off funding for oil and gas projects abroad by Jake Bittle, Grist As President Joe Biden prepares to exit the White House, officials in his administration are working with international partners to push forward an agreement that would see almost all funding for oil and gas projects scaled back from some of the world's largest public funding sources for energy infrastructure. Read more here » What's happening in other climate news:   Biden just set a new climate goal. Trump and other obstacles await. —Maxine Joselow for the Washington Post Biden administration approves California electric car mandate. Will Trump try to revoke it? —Alejandro Lazo for CalMatters  In Florida, a race is on to save the Everglades and protect a key source of drinking water —Dorany Pineda And Rebecca Blackwell For the Associated Press Montana Supreme Court backs youth plaintiffs in groundbreaking climate trial —Ellis Juhlin for Montana Public Radio Insurers are deserting homeowners as climate shocks worsen —Christopher Flavelle for The New York Times Who are climate migrants and what can the world do for them? —Md. Tahmid Zami for Thomson Reuters Foundation UN talks fail to reach agreement on dealing with rising risk of global drought —Sibi Arasu for the Associated Press Final Beat: Be sure to stay tuned to EarthBeat next week as we'll be publishing a few Christmas-themed stories, including one about how Catholics in Vietnam are bringing environmental awareness into their celebration of the season. In the meantime, thanks for reading EarthBeat.    Brian Roewe Environment Correspondent National Catholic Reporter broewe@ncronline.org Instagram: @broewe_ncr     Featured Advertisers       Advertisement

Truth and Action Roundup 12.20.24

View this email in your browser Welcome to the Truth and Action Roundup, a reliable source of information, inspiration, and action for the post-election period. Did a friend forward you this email? Sign up here to continue receiving it. Today is Friday, Dec. 20, 31 days before Inauguration Day. In this week’s Truth and Action Roundup, with Christmas quickly approaching, we offer our “Deep Breaths” spiritual resources at the start of the newsletter, which focuses on the theme of joy during this third week of Advent. On the news front, we look at Elon Musk and President-elect Donald Trump’s latest foray into the federal spending debate and the resultant likelihood of a government shutdown tonight, a Teamsters strike at Amazon facilities around the country, and the way some faith leaders are tying the Christmas story to the challenges of migrant people with the second Trump administration on the horizon. We also provide opportunities to act on the gun violence epidemic and an upcoming vigil for democracy on Jan. 5 that you can attend in person or virtually. — Rev. Adam Taylor and Rev. Moya Harris, Sojourners Deep Breaths Advent reading for today: Psalm 80:1-7; Isaiah 42:10-18; Hebrews 10:32-39 Shirley Caesar’s “This Joy” offers a universal message about the power of joy that comes from within. The refrain, “The world didn’t give it / the world can’t take it away,” speaks to a deep, enduring joy rooted in faith, purpose, or personal strength — one that remains unshaken by life’s challenges. For generations, joy has been a tool of resilience for marginalized communities, who have faced systemic oppression yet found ways to thrive spiritually, emotionally, and culturally. This song reminds us that true joy is different from fleeting happiness. It is a sustaining force that empowers us to endure hardships, celebrate victories, and envision a better future. Caesar’s words inspire all of us to focus on what cannot be taken away — our values, our identity, and the strength we draw from within — making joy a source of hope and renewal for everyone. To experience the full power and spirit of Shirley Caesar’s message, you can listen to “This Joy” and let its uplifting melody and lyrics inspire you. — Rev. Moya Harris, Director of Racial Justice, Sojourners P.S. You can access previous Truth and Action Roundup playlists and videos here. In the News Here’s what we know at the time of writing: 1) The federal government will enter a state of partial shutdown at midnight tonight barring any last-minute developments after Elon Musk and Donald Trump shot down the bipartisan temporary spending deal Congress was preparing to pass. It’s now unclear what sort of deal is needed to prevent a government shutdown, dramatically raising the odds that the government will shut down right before Christmas. 2) The Teamsters union announced yesterday that workers would begin striking at several major Amazon facilities across the country, in what the union is describing as the “largest strike against Amazon in American history.” The Teamsters have accused Amazon of refusing to bargain with its workers. It’s unclear how long the strike will last or what impact it might have on holiday deliveries; Teamsters President Sean O’Brien said: “If your package is delayed during the holidays, you can blame Amazon’s insatiable greed.”   3) Amid the incoming Trump administration’s threats to conduct mass deportations of migrant people, some Catholic and evangelical leaders are using Christmas services this year to focus on Mary and Joseph’s immigration struggle, offering hope to migrant people today. These churches plan to emphasize that Jesus’ family experienced the hardships and uncertainty of migration in fleeing to Egypt and call on the church to continue to be a place of refuge in the months and years ahead. Take Action Take action to end the gun violence crisis! Amid shootings at Christian schools in Wisconsin and California this month and 39 school shootings this year overall, ending the gun violence epidemic in the United States remains an urgent moral, faith, and public health issue. This toolkit from the American Academy of Pediatrics provides a variety of informational and advocacy resources to help you make an impact. Join us at the fourth annual “Faith in Democracy” Interfaith Prayer Vigil streaming and in person on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on Sunday Jan. 5 at 3:30 p.m. Co-sponsored by Sojourners, the Franciscan Action Network, and Faith in Peace Concerts, this vigil will feature faith leaders sharing why their faith compels them to pursue democracy, peace, and justice at this critical time in our nation. For more information, to register to attend, or to watch the stream for this event, click here. The Truth and Action Roundup is compiled by Sojourners staff: President: Rev. Adam Russell Taylor Director of Racial Justice: Rev. Moya Harris Senior Research Associate: J.K. Granberg-Michaelson Senior Adviser and Director to the President’s Office: Elizabeth Denlinger Reaves Senior Director of Campaigns and Mobilizing: Sandy Ovalle Martínez Director of Congregational Outreach & Education: Rev. Andrea Saccoccio Digital Communications Associate: Lexi Schnaser Senior Director of Marketing: Sandra Sims Donate Subscribe Copyright © 2024 Sojourners. All rights reserved. Sojourners | 408 C St. NE | Washington, DC 20002 Email: sojourners@sojo.net | Tel.: 202.328.8842

WCC FEATURE: WCC Gender Justice Reference Group meets in Zimbabwe

The World Council of Churches (WCC) Gender Justice Reference Group met in Harare, Zimbabwe from 7-12 December, marking its first in-person gathering. Hosted by the Zimbabwe Council of Churches, the meeting brought together church leaders, theologians, and gender justice advocates to reflect on the critical importance of gender justice in the life and mission of the church. On December 10th, the Gender Reference Group visited Musasa during the Harare Pilgrimage, learning about the Women’s Shelters Support Program Photo: Gloria Charles/WCC 19 December 2024 Ten participants from Europe, Africa, the Caribbean, Pacific, North America, Asia, and the Middle East explored the theme from the Apostle Paul’s reminder in 1 Corinthians 12:26–27, that “if one part suffers, every part suffers with it.” Co-convenor Tandi Soko-De Jong, from the Protestant Church in the Netherlands, shared her reflections on how the group’s work is both new and deeply rooted in the foundations laid by those who came before. “We stand on the shoulders of giants,” she said. “Our conversations, reflections, and contributions are shaped by our unique experiences, expertise, and callings.” She also noted the efforts of those who have long fought for gender justice—both well-known figures and those who remain unsung beyond their homes, churches, or communities. “Some are no longer with us, but their legacy endures,” she said. “It is a true joy to build upon what has already been established, and a privilege to contribute new ideas, shaped by each of our perspectives and talents as members of this reference group.” Have courage Those gathered explored how “the New Testament challenges us to recognize that the flourishing of the church requires full participation and inclusion of women and men. When one gender is marginalized or excluded, the entire community is weakened, much like a body that cannot function properly when even one part is in pain,” according to a draft report from the group. Reflecting on the uniqueness of the gathering, co-convenor Prof. Rastko Jovic of the Serbian Orthodox Church encouraged the reference group’s work. "What I want to share is this: have courage,” said Jovic. “There will be times when it seems like nothing is changing, but we must remain patient and work step by step.” It’s also essential to be open and truly listen to one another as women and men, added Jovic. “Progress comes when we journey together, not when we rush ahead,” said Jovic. “These days we’ve spent together have shown the strength of unity and understanding through ecumenical cooperation.” The gathering found that the pursuit of gender justice is not an optional endeavor but an essential part of a shared journey toward the fulfillment of God’s will for the world. Participants explored how it is a theological imperative rooted in the Gospel's call to build a just, inclusive community where women and men reflect the fullness of God's image. The reference group shared a vision of gender justice that demands a shared commitment to dismantle barriers that perpetuate inequality and division, both within and beyond the church. Grounded in Christ’s example of kenosis—or self-emptying love—true gender justice is not about dominance or division but about mutual enrichment and shared purpose. Amplifying voices Women make up the majority in churches, yet their contributions are often overlooked, said Rev. Dr Kenneth Mtata, WCC programme director of Public Witness and Diakonia. “There is no substitute for in-depth studies,” he said. “We must prioritize and share research whether on theology, women’s health, or their leadership roles to empower women and amplify their voices.” Solidarity across diverse contexts is crucial for advancing women’s economic and educational empowerment, Mtata added. “Representation matters, and gender justice work demands collaboration, not only within the church but also with wider society,” he said. The group affirmed the 2025 strategic plans for Just Community of Women and Men and prepared recommendations for WCC governance and programme, as well as theological education, advocacy and communications. Rev. Nicole Ashwood, WCC programme executive for Just Community of Women and Men, shared the history of the group’s creation. “At the WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, our church members agreed to transition from an advisory group to establishing the Gender Justice Reference Group,” she said. “This crucial step has strengthened our influence in decision-making and reinforced our responsibility to ensure the wellbeing of both women and men.” Gender justice remains integral to every aspect of the World Council of Churches' work, Ashwood added. “Let us continue to uplift the role of women across all areas of our mission,” she said. “Failing to equip women risks undermining the foundation of sustainability and inclusivity within our communities.” Photo gallery Learn more about the WCC work on Just Community of Women and Men On December 10th, the Gender Reference Group participated in Harare Pilgrimage visits. Photo: Gloria Charles/WCC

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa.  Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland