Sacred People, Sacred Earth

As a multi-religious organization, those at GreenFaith know that our shared values and the "why" behind our work matters to you. Check out this video to hear more about the heart behind our work.

Where Are the Light Bearers?

My mother's favorite expression was "the longest day has an end."
I think she often said this silently to herself after another day of 
factory work, after another day of working in the garment
industry, after another day of taking care of three children,
after a day of cold water and another night of no heat. Even
when there were the Clifton "good times" she reminded us that
this too would end.

In a few days 2020 will end and many of us will be happy.
We will be hopeful that the new year will be better. How could
things be worse? The only thing darker than 2020 might be our
collective ugliness, our rising temperature of hatred, our
willingness to hide our heads under a blanket of lies.

My grandson tells me he wants to be a superhero. How can
I tell him our world does not honor or respect aliens?
Superman was an orphan, separated from his family like
too many people around the world. It's difficult for me to
accept that people will depart from the present administration
and go back to their civilian lives believing they did good
when in their hearts they know they did wrong.

Where are the light bearers? What sky will now open
bringing brightness after all these waves of tears? I must go
in search of my mother's faith. I need her faith to
place evidence in my hands and convince me that the
darkness has not made us blind. I need to believe
love will restore our sight.

E. Ethelbert Miller

E. Ethelbert Miller is a writer and literary activist. Miller is host of the podcast On The Margin (WPFW).

I heard the bells on Christmas Day

Merry Christmas from All of Us at Sojourners And in despair I bowed my head; "There is no peace on earth," I said; "For hate is strong, And mocks the song Of peace on earth, good-will to men! "Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: "God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; The Wrong shall fail,The Right prevail, With peace on earth, good-will to men.” In the midst of this long night, in one of the longest years of our lives, a glimmer of hope has come. No matter our circumstances, no matter where we are in the world or who we are spending our holiday with (or without), that glimmer of hope is within each of us. In a time of oppression, you have cried out for justice. In a time of fear, you have had the strength to demand, and create, change. In more ways than we could have imagined in a year like this one, the Wrong failed and the Right prevailed. And in all of this, we can find the hope of Christ born today. On behalf of all of us at Sojourners: Merry Christmas. May the year to come be a year of healing, justice, and liberation.

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Our Latest 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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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. Donate to Sojourners today to sustain and strengthen our work ahead. Share your heart this Christmas with Mennonite Central Committee Cherish the loved ones in your life with gifts for your global neighbors—gifts that change lives. Choose from fish, fruit trees, wells, goats, education for girls and much more. For 100 years, Mennonite Central Committee has shared God’s love and compassion for all in the name of Christ by responding to basic human needs and working for peace and justice, now in more than 50 countries around the world.

Wear this mask to advocate for justice

A.C.T. NOW to End Racism!

Awaken   Confront   Transform

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All funds raised will go directly to NATIONAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST IN THE USA

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The face mask’s design highlights NCC’s A.C.T. (Awaken, Confront, Transform) Now to End Racism! campaign. Show your commitment to do the hard work to dismantle racism by purchasing and wearing a mask. Your purchase will support NCC's work to increase awareness of the effects of systemic racism and White supremacy. Help us continue to develop and share resources for ending racism. Wearing the mask creates awareness and shows support for reforms in policing and criminal justice, in banking and housing practices, in education and employment, and countless other aspects of systemic racism.

Wear this mask to signify our belief that none of us can be free when any one of us is suffering and dying because of racism, racial and economic disparities, or the pandemic. Wear it to show that we must love each other as Christ has instructed us. Wear it to signify that NCC’s ecumenical vision has always included an active commitment to justice and we have power in our unity.

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Our fundraiser is on Custom Ink at this link: https://www.customink.com/fundraising/act-now-to-end-racism

 

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NCC serves as a leading voice of witness to the living Christ in the public square since 1950, the NCC brings together 38 member communions and more than 35 million Christians in a common expression of God’s love and promise of unity. 

If you have not yet made a gift to NCC this year, please consider making a contribution to enable us to work together in our shared mission.

Your financial support helps us build a more just and equitable community that chooses grace over greed, love over hate, and faith over fear.

Make a gift to NCC today: https://nationalcouncilofchurches.z2systems.com/np/clients/nationalcouncilofchurches/donation.jsp?campaign=1&

Change.org - Imminent deportation

This father of four has no criminal record, yet is sitting in an immigrant detention center, facing imminent deportation. His family is now bracing themselves to spend the holidays without their father and they are devastated. Join the campaign to bring him home for Christmas. Father of Four (4) U​.​S. Citizen Daughters Facing Imminent Deportation 2,098 have signed Richard Hujber, Esq.’s petition. Let’s get to 2,500!

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Mr. Hilcias Ricardo Batz is a native and citizen of Guatemala, who has lived here in the United States for more than eighteen (18) years. Mr. Batz is the father of four (4) United States citizen children - all girls, ranging from the age of 14, 9, 7, and a 6 month old baby girl. He has been an excellent father to these children, supporting and maintaining them in every possible way for nearly 15 years now. These children are suffering horrific hardship with their father detained and in DHS/ICE custody, and with the prospect of him facing imminent deportation from the United States. He has absolutely NO criminal record. Conditions in his native country of Guatemala have deteriorated significantly in the 18+ years since he last saw that country as a 17 year old boy. He has been in DHS/ICE custody at this time, during a horrific pandemic, and with the holiday season here. He and his family cannot imagine - and have never had - a holiday season apart from each other. His children desperately need him. It is our sincere hope and desire that DHS/ICE consider the possibility of releasing him on a minimal/reasonable bond and/or on an ankle bracelet/monitor so that he can return home to his family. We thank EVERYONE in advance for your support by signing, sharing, and supporting this important and compelling petition.

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At Change.org, we believe in the voice of everyday people. Is there something that you want to change? Start a petition today

Change.org - Don’t Demolish the Domes (Little Singer School)

This petition is taking off on Change.org, and we think you might be interested in adding your name. Sign now to help:

Don’t Demolish the Domes (Little Singer School)

Dr. Davina Two Bears started this petition to Harry Singer, Tony L. Dearman, Etta Shirley, Sharon Pinto, Dr. Tamarah Pfeiffer, Charles Sherman, Jonathan Nez and it now has 27,333 signatures

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Help preserve the dream brought to life with the prayers of a Navajo Medicine Man and the actions of his Bilagaana (Anglo) friend.  Yá’át’ééh shik’éí dóó shidiné’é. A threat exists today that would demolish the original Little Singer School (est. 1976) in Birdsprings, Arizona on the Navajo Nation. This first of its kind school was the dream of Hataałí Yázhí (Little Singer), a powerful Diné medicine man, and was the design of Thomas Ryan Sr., a physicist from northern California. The dream was to halt the forced removal of Dine children to far off residential schools. My family and I are originally from Birdsprings, Arizona, and our maternal clan is Tódích’íínii. We come to you today to humbly ask for your help in saving the original Little Singer School in Birdsprings, Arizona on the Navajo Nation. The name of the school carries the legacy of Hataałí Yázhí, Little Singer, who is remembered for his knowledge of Diné ceremonies, prayer songs, wisdom, generosity, and kindness. Hataałí Yázhí’s innovative thinking, especially with regards to the welfare of the Birdsprings community allowed for his vision for the betterment of his people.  In 1970 he befriended my stepfather, Thomas Ryan Sr.,  who was living at Rincon Ranch in Winslow, Arizona. Although Hataałí Yázhí only spoke Navajo and Ryan only spoke English, they often visited and conversed and soon a friendship blossomed. It was Hataałí Yázhí’s concern for the future of his people that led to the vision of building a school “to bring the children home.” Hataałí Yázhí was aware of an unnatural deafening silence due to the absence of children in Birdsprings. Ryan learned from his Navajo friends that the U.S. Federal Government’s Indian education policy was to separate children from their families for nine months out of the year to attend Federal Indian Boarding Schools. Therefore, he wholeheartedly accepted Hataałí Yázhí’s request to build a community school, where the curriculum would incorporate the Diné language and culture.  Beginning in the early 1970’s Thomas Ryan Sr. designed the iconic red geodesic domes and an “A-frame” building that comprised the original school. The geodesic shape was built for strength and longevity, as well as, to mimic the form of the traditional Navajo hogan. Since no electrical lines existed in Birdsprings at the time, two wind generators provided the electricity for the school; and solar panels harnessed the sun’s energy to heat the school. Through prayers offered by Hataałí Yázhí, the steadfast efforts of the Birdsprings community, and Ryan’s ingenuity, the Little Singer School opened in 1979. It was the first sustainable school on the Navajo Reservation. The education received at Hataałí Yázhí Bi’Ołta, Little Singer School, enabled one to read and write in the Diné language, to sing social and prayer songs in Navajo, and to learn about the Diné culture and history from elders.  Although my family and I are happy that a new school is built, we do not want the original school to be demolished. As the name of the school carries Hataałí Yázhí’s legacy, so does the engineering and design of the geodesic domes carry the legacy of the guiding light and leader of our family, Thomas Lee Ryan.   The present contract in place with the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) calls for the demolition of the geodesic domes. The original red geodesic domes should continue to exist and serve the school in a multitude of educational capacities; or alternatively, they could be relocated to another location to become a community center, museum, or whatever the Birdsprings community feels is best.  We respectfully ask that you sign this petition in support of NOT demolishing the original Little Singer School’s historic red geodesic domes and “A-frame,” which Hataałí Yázhí and Birdsprings community prayed into creation. This petition will be presented to the Little Singer Community School Board, officials within the Bureau of Indian Education, and other Navajo leaders to prevent the planned demolition of the original historic Little Singer School. Ahéhee, Thank you.

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Change.org - ICE deportations

Dawn Wooten, a nurse, filed a whistleblower complaint about medical neglect at ICE detention centers. Many brave women came forward. They told horrific stories of invasive procedures and unwanted hysterectomies. Now those women are being deported as the Department of Homeland Security investigates the claims. Lindsay is demanding an end to their deportations. Sign her petition to stop these women from being silenced. Stop ICE from Deporting Women Who are Victims to Coerced Hysterectomies! 3,523 have signed Lindsay A.’s petition. Let’s get to 5,000!

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On September 14, Dawn Wooten, an ex-nurse at the Irwin County Detention Center in Georgia, filed a whistleblower complaint to the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General’s office, outlining concerns over medical neglect at the facility. One of the most shocking sections of the complaint, outlined concern of unwarranted hysterectomies being performed on women at the facility. The 27-page complaint excluded specific names of the victims or the gynecologist in question, but after the report gained attention, brave women at these centers came forward and shared their stories. Their stories exposed Dr. Mahendra Amin’s invasive procedures and unwarranted hysterectomies being performed on these women. An investigation later done by the New York Times revealed that these medical procedures were unnecessary and could have been avoided with much less invasive treatments. Furthermore, women revealed that not only were invasive procedures common, but many times, there was no interpreter present to help the women understand what procedures they were consenting to when signing consent forms. In response to the allegations, public support was joined with the support of lawmakers, who demanded that the Department of Homeland Security inspector general’s office investigate the validity of the claims.  Today, there is an ongoing investigation into the allegations by the FBI, the Justice Department, and the DHS inspector general’s office, however, the women who have bravely come forward, are now being deported.  A few weeks ago, six women who alleged abuse from the doctor were deported. The remaining women who courageously came forward, are nowfacing the same imminent threat.  We must demand that no more women be deported during the ongoing investigation into the allegations. These women are vital witnesses and evidence to the investigation, and we cannot allow ICE or Dr. Mahendra Amin to get away with their actions. Excluding them from the investigation means the continuation of an improper and unjust investigation. These women have already experienced inhumane and life changing treatment and we must stand with them and demand that their human rights be protected.

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At Change.org, we believe in the voice of everyday people. Is there something that you want to change? Start a petition today