Two Key Invitations
This Sunday was full at LaSalle - with both celebrating and lamenting, with having our fall launch and meal, seeing the new Hall of History and worshipping together, being back in our refreshed sanctuary space, and also adjusting to more oppressive news in Chicago. We know about the threat of the national guard "going to war" in our city, the potential for increased ICE presence, and more injustice made possible by the recent Supreme Court ruling (that speaking Spanish, looking Latino, and working a low wage job can now be considered grounds for stopping and arresting folks.) Witnessing the racism and systemic weaponization of what used to be our legal rights in the US is full of grief, pain, anger, and especially fear for those that are most at risk of being targeted. I have two key invitations to our community this week as we hold all this together:
First, join us next week on Serve Sunday, where we will focus on loving God and loving our neighbors in our sermon, and hear from mission partner Kimmy Graves share about LaSalle's history with Young Lives, and new ministry area supporting kids with disabilities - Capernacus. Join us for worship to learn and hear more, and then afterwards we'll have some volunteer trainings meeting up, incuding one for those who want to share ideas, resources, or questions about how to organize right now in Chicago.
Second, check out the below reminders for us as a collective Body this week - links, numbers, ideas, and truth to keep us grounded - and share with someone else who you think might need it.
Let's keep naming the truth of what's happening and share ideas with our kids, families, friends, co workers. Name both the challenges and places of Good News happening, name the need to both pray and lament, check on others, stay active and also rest well. We got this!
Let's keep resourcing and protecting the folks and communities that are most vulnerable first - check out our new web page with lists of resources, some in Spanish some in English, including sharing the ICIRR hotline to call - 855-435-7693 (for legal support, if you get detained, and if you take footage of ICE to know where to best use it). https://www.lasallestreetchurch.org/actions
Check another key site for resources, including how to sign up for a training, download an ICE text alert program, and more: https://www.handsoffchicago.com/
Another key website to be watching is www.icirr.org
A few more helpful numbers:
+ If you're arrested for a protest or political activity, call: 872-465-4244
+ The Cook Country Public Defender hotline: 844-817-4448
+ The First Defense Legal Aid Hotline - to report police, federal law enforcement, or national guard misconduct: 800-529-7374
Remember that everyone can do something - share info, attend a rally or training, check on a neighbor, pray, give resources, equip your household or neighborhood block with information, save the ICIRR number in your phone, etc. Reach out to our staff if you need ideas, or support at all this week!
Let's keep organizing as much as we can and share news about protests, trainings coming up, and ways that those with racial privilege (white folks) can help by recording incidents, being ready to speak up and distract agents, ask for signed judicial warrants, be with and witness any who are at risk, remaining calm and wise and speaking out on whatever platforms we can. Check for more ideas that are being linked almost daily on our actions page or those orgs we've listed.
And finally, let's remind each other to choose hope, and community, and not give up - we stand in a tradition that looks to the moral arc of the universe bending toward justice, following a God who suffers with and is at work in the world, stirring up justice, and life, and healing - even when it feels overwhelming! Remind one another of your belovedness and your power to act, speak, organize, try again, and choose faith!
With you, and with so much gratitude - Rev Liz