53 years today, October 2nd 1967, The Honorable Thurgood Marshall was sworn in as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. The first Black person to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States. 

Since the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg, just two weeks ago, there has been much talk of the Supreme Court. 

53 years have passed since our first Black Justice was sworn in, America has had a Black president. Yet, Black Americans, Indigenous peoples, and other People of Color, still do not know justice. 

Both Justice Marshall and Justice Ginsberg spent their careers fighting for equality for people forced to the margins and those suffering under the weight of unjust systems and institutions. Justice Ginsberg and Justice Marshall both recognized that injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere. 

Let us pause today in prayer, giving thanks for the life and work of these prophetic voices and pray for the strength, wisdom, and guidance to honor their legacies and continue their work.

Scripture:

Deuteronomy 16:20 

Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue, so that you may live and occupy the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

Prayer:

God of this and all nations, we claim to be a nation where all are created equal, yet we continue to entertain the violence of inequity. We turn a deaf ear and a blind eye to those who have been denied equal treatment. Under the law of the land, all people are created equal and free. We know this is not lived out in reality. Under God’s law, all are created in the divine image, we know this Truth is not lived out in reality. Open our hearts, eyes and ears to see, hear and believe the Truth of the lives lived by People of Color. 

Source of life, hear our confession and grant us mercy. We fear change and discomfort, call us to new patterns of living and even though they may be difficult. We work out of our own power and pursue our own agenda, that benefits us and keeps us comfortable. We fail to see your transforming vision for ourselves and all of creation. Empower our lives with the Holy Spirit to take concrete steps toward healing, restoration, and ultimately reconciliation. 

God of promise, we give you thanks for the lives and work of Justice Marshall and Justice Ginsberg. May their memory be a blessing, a blessing that fills our hearts and minds with the desire to continue their work in pursuit of equality, equity, and justice. Help us to find ways to live fully in your promises of grace, mercy, allowing all to be free from racism, sexism, and all the ‘isms’ that oppress. Let us not be content with the way things are. Push us and pull us into making this world into a new world, one where your desires for full life for all are lived out. Shalom and Amen.

Jenn Luong

Pastoral Intern

“I wish I could say that racism and prejudice were only distant memories. We must dissent from the indifference. We must dissent from the apathy. We must dissent from the fear, the hatred and the mistrust…We must dissent because America can do better, because America has no choice but to do better.” – Justice Thurgood Marshall

On Wednesday September 23, A grand jury indicted a former Louisville police detective on Wednesday for endangering Breonna Taylor’s neighbors with reckless gunfire during a raid on her apartment in March, but the two officers who shot Ms. Taylor were not charged in her death. 

The decision came after more than 100 days of protests and a months long investigation into the death of Ms. Taylor, a 26-year-old emergency room technician who was shot six times in the hallway of her apartment by officers executing a search warrant. 

The city erupted in angry demonstrations after a grand jury decided not to bring charges against the police officers who shot and killed Breonna during a botched nighttime raid on her apartment in March. The grand jury instead indicted another officer involved in the raid for recklessly firing shots that entered a neighboring apartment. 

Innocent marginalized people suffer the most in a broken world. The system fails those who are the most vulnerable who experience injustice perpetrated on them. This week we witnessed first hand how a broken Justice System failed its citizens, namely Brianna Taylor. The world is broken, and there is an experiencing a lessening of the value of people, specifically BIPOC. 

Today we offer this scripture and a Prayer for Justice: 

Luke 18: 1-8 

Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart.  He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people.  In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Grant me justice against my opponent.’ For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, ‘Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.’” And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” 

Pray for the repairing of a broken judicial system. Pray, and do not lose hope. Just like the persistent widow, we can’t lose heart. We must continue to advocate for justice for all people. We pray with confidence that our petitions will be answered because our request is the right thing to ask for and expect. The United States judicial, law enforcement, criminal justice and policing are broken, and we pray oh God, that you will bring justice and reform. That BIPOC will experience the same Justice as it White counterparts.

We pray for the healing of all nations. We pray against the false narrative the BIPOC are violent and therefore deserving of violence perpetrated against them. We pray for Law Enforcement to be reformed and retrained. 

Lord, we also pray for unity and peace amongst all people. We pray that as people gather and march in peaceful protest that the officers sworn to protect and serve will cease to antagonize and dehumanize citizens of the state. Lord, in your example of the persistent widow, you counsel your people to pray and not lose heart. May we put our prayers and partitions into action, we pray with our feet as we walk in solidarity, we pray with our voices as we cry out for justice, equity and protection for all, we pray our God with our actions by exercising our God given right to vote by mail, in person, early and on time. We pray with our hearts. God of our silent tears, God of our weary years, be close to us, be our comfort and our guide. Give us wisdom and courage to continue to fight the good fight of faith. That at your appointed time you will act on behalf of the disinherited, disenfranchised, marginalized, dehumanized, the hungry, naked and homeless. 

We thank you in advance and will be mindful to give you all the glory.

In your son’s name we pray.

Amen and may it be so.

Rev. Babette Chatman

University Pastor

Juneteenth is the oldest African American celebration of emancipation from slavery. President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation was issued on January 1, 1863, but news of emancipation moved slowly.  Texas was the most remote of the slave states, and the Emancipation Proclamation was not enforced there until two and a half years later, after the Civil War had ended . When the Union army arrived in Galveston, Texas,  on June 19, 1865 announcing that all “slaves” were free in accordance with the Emancipation Proclamation that the last slave experienced freedom.  The name of the observance is a portmanteau of “June” and “nineteenth”, the date of its celebration.  

In 1968, shortly after the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, his Poor People’s Campaign held a Juneteenth Solidarity Day, giving the holiday a new prominence in the civil rights movement.  From the late nineteenth century through today, typical Juneteenth celebrations across the country include parades, speeches by African American community leaders, singing of traditional songs such as “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” and dancing.

In honor of the Juneteenth holiday, we offer this Scripture and Prayer for Juneteenth.

Exodus 3:7,9 “ Then the Lord said, “I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters. Indeed, I know their sufferings.  The cry of the Israelites has now come to me; I have also seen how the Egyptians oppress them. 

1 Corinthians 15: 57 “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Liberating God, we offer a prayer of thanksgiving and praise for your hearing the cries of the oppressed.  Bless your name for giving us the victory and freedom over slavery.  We in gratitude unite all of our hearts to reflect on where you have bought us from. As we enter this Juneteenth holiday celebration let us remember all of our ancestors who longed to see this day come. Let us sing songs of joy and celebration.  God thank you for the freedoms we experience, let us not take for granted at what cost we experience it.   May we fill the land with songs of joy and thanksgiving in celebration in remembering your saving grace. 

Oh amazing and gracious God, may we all give a moment of silence to “breathe your breath of life”.  And  In all our times of tribulation and suffering you enabled us to endure, to build character as a people and  May we continue the fight for full liberation for all people, for our indigenous siblings.  Loving Parent, and always grounded in a hope  that did not disappoint. Your abiding love freed us and continues to free us for the sake of your love.  May we as a people begin to heal and be reconciled to each other freely in love and justice. 

Lord, we can’t fully celebrate while others are in need of liberation from poverty and persecution. We cry out on behalf of the families separated at our borders, as children who are detained in cages cry out for their parents. Send your word, oh God to save and free them.

And Lord after a time of celebrating, give us the strength, motivation, fortitude and courage to continue to fight for social justice, equity, and to dismantle all systems of oppression and supremacy. In hopes that we all shall overcome one day.  Amen

Rev. Babette Chatman

University Campus Pastor

In this time of crisis as a result of the Covid-19 Pandemic people all over the world are experiencing unprecedented social, economic and spiritual challenges. These measures of social distancing and stay-in-hope are proving to be working.  The Apostle Paul wrote in Roman’s 7:21 “I find it to be a law that when I want to do what is good, evil lies close at hand.” Last weekend, thousands gathered in Washington, Michigan, Texas, Maryland, Minnesota and California to protest lockdown orders resulting from the coronavirus pandemic. Some marched with rifles and handguns, wrapped themselves in Confederate flags, carrying posters saying, “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Corvid-19”, “No Liberty, No Life”. These public gatherings are all in direct violation of the social distancing orders.  Even as President Donald J Trump via social media tweeted to protesters, “liberate” states where they protested the restrictions and “save your great 2nd amendment”. However difficult sheltering-in-place and social-distancing maybe, it is necessary to save lives especially in the most vulnerable populations.  As many are captive to the hardship caused by Covid-19, today we offer these scriptures and A PRAYER FOR… LIBERATION

John 8:34-36 (NRSV)

 Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. 35 The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there forever. 36 So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.

2 Corinthians 3:17 (NRSV)

17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom

Let us pray:

Good and gracious God, you are our liberator. We come humbly before you now, El-Shaddai almighty God on behalf of those suffering as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. We cry out for freedom.  All- encompassing God, you sent your Son Jesus to proclaim liberty to the captives and recover sight to the blind. We thank you for the insights you give to doctors and researchers who are working tirelessly to combat this disease.  You sent Jesus to set at liberty those who are oppressed.  We pray that those who are in captivity to the sin of racism, ignorance, privilege, greed, anti-blackness, anti-immigrant and imperialism experience true liberation. Compassionate and loving God, thank you that your answer to our loss of freedom has always been your Son and who your Son Jesus sets free is free indeed. For freedom in Christ has set us free. We pray that those in positions of power and influence who confess to be in Christ, provide resources and set at liberty those populations most vulnerable to the coronavirus, Africa-American communities, families and children detained in cages at the U.S. borders and those in the prison compounds.  Lord we pray for an outpouring of your Holy Spirit for where the Spirit is there is freedom. Liberate now oh God your people, who are called by Your Name, to stand firm and to not submit to a yoke of sin. Free us from all the ways that life as we knew it was not beneficial to all people. God of the Resurrected, may we learn to genuinely love and care for one other as you Holy Trinity has genuinely loved us. It is in Jesus the Christ name we pray. Amen

Rev. Babette Chatman

“When you are compassionate with yourself, you trust in your soul, which you let guide your life.  Your soul knows the geography of your destiny better than you do.” John O’Donohue

Today is the Saturday of Easter week, it is the day in the Christian tradition that Jesus lay in his tomb after he died. It is a day of in-between time.  As the world around us enters further into the COVID-19 Pandemic season there is a need to be mindful of the trauma it is creating. Those on the front lines the first responders, medical professionals, researchers, clergy, essential workers, all are at their point of exhaustion. Their minds, bodies, hearts and souls all carry the negative effects of this pandemic. Stress, worry, sheltering in place, staying home, social/physical distancing, extended hours of screen time, pressures to be productive and the lack of social connections all take their toll on the very being of a person.  Our prayer for everyone is to give themselves permission to be compassionate with themselves and practice SELF CARE. Self care is not selfish, it is necessary to keep your body and soul healthy and whole. It is critical to take time out to nurture yourself, for you, your family, your loved ones and extended community. It is our hope and prayer that this Holy Weekend that time is set aside to focus on the inner being. We offer this scripture and PRAYER FOR SELF CARE…

Mark 6:31 

He said to them, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.

Let us pray:

Loving and caring God, we lift up this prayer to you for all who are at the point of exhaustion.  You Lord, who knitted us in our mother’s womb who gives rest to the weary we ask now to bless us with the ability to come away with you and rest. Lord in gratitude, thank you for all of their gifts and abilities that are keeping us safe. We pray they find peace of mind and soul. Lord we know that death comes and that too is a heavy burden to carry, we ask that they lay that burden on you, oh Holy one.  We ask that you, great Physician, be a natural part of selfcare. Guide us to meditate on and spend time with You. As you counseled Moses in Exodus 18 that “he would wear himself out because the task was too heavy to care for the people of Israel on his own”. Lord, we can not do this work alone. As some struggle in isolation allow them to feel your presence.

Lord Jesus, help us all to be gentle with ourselves. To monitor the trauma that we take on during this time. Help them, help us to be and stay healthy in mind, body and soul. Lord Jesus, you rose victorious over death, you came that we might have abundant life, we thank you for abundant life, we thank you for abundance rest, we thank you for compassionate selfcare, we thank you for in you we experience resurrection. Thanks be to God. Amen”

Rev. Babette Chatman

A blessing from John O’Donohue “TO COME HOME TO YOURSELF”

May all that is unforgiven in you 

Be released.

May your fears yield

Their deepest tranquilities.

May all that is unlived in you

Blossom into a future

Grace with love.

Fine arts performers – visual artists, actors and actresses, spoken word artists, musicians, and dancers—are cultivators and curators of the myriad gifts of God! Through skill and dedication, these talented individuals offer their gifts to educate, to challenge, to inspire, and to entertain. And yet, theaters are empty, art galleries are closed, concert halls are silent, and stages are struck. Today we offer “A PRAYER FOR…FINE ARTS PERFORMERS” as they wait out the coronavirus with the world, their creative crafts bottled up and their livelihoods suspended.

1 Peter 4:10:

“Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift you each received.” 

Let us pray:

Creative One, God of manifold grace: we rejoice that we are made in your image and instilled with your creative energy and power. We thank you the artists among us who steward your gifts through visual and aural expression for the sake of human inquiry and the exploration of divine beauty. Uphold fine arts performers and all whose livelihoods are entwined with the call to create, to paint, to play, to move, to act. Give purpose and meaning to these wonder-workers in the days of cancelled rehearsals and classes, suspended performances, and closed venues. Bless these, your stewards, and keep them in your grace in these trying times. This we pray in gratitude for your gifts poured out among your people. Amen.       

Rev. Justin Lind-Ayres

April 7, 2020 

God has granted each one of us a spirit of wisdom and creativity – and we each express that creativity in different ways. For some, that spirit ignited a passion and drive to pursue something new and unique. As our nation works to battle this pandemic, the economic impact of the COVID-19 coronavirus on small business owners and entrepreneurs has been great. Many businesses have been shut down, threatening the well-being and prosperity of business owners and the people they employ. We offer a prayer of thanksgiving for these creative individuals who chased their passion, and for the communities that are working to support them. We pray for continued support from communities so that the dreams, jobs, and income of these small business owners and their employees may be sustained.

Matthew 7:7

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you shall find; knock and the door shall be opened to you.”

Let us pray:

Spirit of wisdom, Creator God, we give you thanks for all the ways you inspire your people, the ways you provide for them, and set great paths before them. We are grateful for the many small business owners who felt your creative call and pursued their dreams. Gracious God, we know that you are the sustainer of our dreams, in prosperity and in hardship.

We pray for all those businesses who are suffering hardship because of the economic crisis caused by COVID-19. May the communities these businesses serve rally to support them. Provide for all the people being impacted by this economic crisis, O God,  the people employed by these small businesses and the families that are supported by their income. Protect them in this time of economic uncertainty, and fill their spirits with hope. Amen.

Pastoral Intern Sarah Swindall
March 31, 2020

Grace, peace and mercy from God our parent and our Lord Jesus Christ. As we continue to face the rapid and radical challenges created by the effects of COVID-19 we are mindful today of the overwhelming shift it has caused in all our lives without exception.  Around the world we are experiencing many questions and uncertainties of when this will end. With new efforts to get ahead of the pandemic, more drastic measures are required of us all. As the “stay in place” directive creates more time of isolation, parents must adjust to home schooling, while many also work from home.  Educators around the world strive to meet the challenges ever shifting alternative methods of instructing due to the continuation of the unprecedented circumstances. Today we are mindful of those who we entrust with our children and youth and most vulnerable. As they prepare and present alternative forms of instructions in new and innovative ways, we offer this scripture and prayer to all K-12 TEACHERS… 

Isaiah 50:4-5 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher,
that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word.
Morning by morning he wakens—wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught.
The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backward.

Let us pray:

All wise and knowing God, our great teacher, we thank you for those who accept the vocational call to teach our young. We praise you for their selflessness, their compassion and ability to collaborate with parents. And Lord we acknowledge, you equip teachers with the skill and tools necessary to shape the young minds. To encourage the giftedness of their young beautiful minds. That you bless them to teach the young in the way they should go and trust that that they can do and be whatever they imagine for themselves. You O God created them for this important and necessary work. 

And so, we pray loving God that you in your sovereignty provide all K-12 teachers with the confidence of job security during this time of vulnerability. Their work is not hindered in any way. That you protect them from any exposure to the Covid-19 virus.  That their financial needs are met. Give them the ability to use technology to be the “tongue of their teaching. That they know with all certainty how to sustain the parents who now partner with them in teaching students. Every morning wakens the ear of creativity to help those experience learning as they are taught in new ways.   We pray that no one who during this season assumes the position of K-12 teacher is overcome with feelings of stress or anxiety. May they all without exception be filled with your peace that surpasses all understanding. Bless them to face any doubt and not turn backward at this challenge as only you can Great Teacher, we pray. Amen 

Rev. Babette Chatman

March 30, 2020

In an effort to better combat the spread of the COVID-19 virus, Wednesday March 25, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, issued an executive order directing all Minnesotan to “stay at home” for  two weeks beginning midnight, Friday, March 27 ending 5:00pm Friday, April 10. There are of course some workers that are exceptions to this directive, workers who are vital during this difficult and challenging time. Today we offer this scripture and prayer for  GROCERY STORE PERSONNEL.

Psalm 90:17 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

      Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us,
    and prosper for us the work of our hands—
    O prosper the work of our hands!

Let us pray:

Lord God, Jehovah Jireh, our provider, thank you today for the blessing of grocery store personnel. We offer prayers of gratitude for each and every employee that faithfully shows up to work.  Bless them with your presence in every area of the store, the parking lot, and the roads that lead to them. Praise you for the people who station all areas: frozen food, meat, seafood, produce, deli, dairy, health and beauty and the front end. 

May your favor, oh God rest on every cashier, bagger,  stock clerk, butcher, department manager, assistant store manager, manager, executive. Prosper, gracious Lord, the work of their hands and bless their households. Continue to protect them from the evil COVID-19 virus, from every hurt, harm or danger. May they be met with love and kindness from everyone that benefits from their labor. Keep them in your love, light in care we pray. Amen

Rev. Babette Chatman

March 27, 2020