Sometimes listening to the morning news on television is a bit like entering into an alternate universe. Last Wednesday, the day after primary elections in New York State, CBS News reported that New York Congressman Eliot Engel was “facing a challenge” from Democratic Party challenger Jamaal Bowman. NBC News reported that Engel was “trailing.” The reality, according to the New York Times tally of the results that morning was that Bowman had beaten Engel by a margin to 60.9% versus 35.6% with more than 82% of votes counted. Even though it posted the numbers, the Times felt compelled to describe the apparently impending lopsided loss as if it were something less than that, as a “stiff challenge” for Engel.

Our dear friend Miriam Vargas has now been in sanctuary at First English Lutheran Church for two years (or 731 days). How many days do you estimate that you’ve been in quarantine or practicing robust social distancing – mostly from home? These past few months we have all been deepening our understanding and empathy for Miriam’s painful situation through our newly lived experiences. We now have an easy way for you to act on that deeper empathy through an app called Tithely. Some of you are already familiar with this easy support mechanism through your own congregation. 

The House just passed the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act (236-181). This legislation is historic and comprehensive in scope. Most importantly, this bill is responsive to the demands being pressed by demonstrators who are calling for policing reform and an end to police brutality. Dozens of member of Congress gathered on the steps of the U.S. Capitol to make clear that this bill is needed to move our nation forward.

Here are the key components of the bill

Thursday, June 25, 7:30pm
Online Event
Facebook Event
Watch the movie Just Mercy on your own (streaming free for the month of June on Amazon Prime), then
Join a community conversation with Marcia Miller of Yoga on High and Abraham Bonowitz, co-director of the national group, Death Penalty Action. Abe is a Columbus resident who will share his experience of this work and update us on issues within our own state of Ohio.
Thursday, June 25, 7:30 to 8:45p.