January 9, 2026

Many of you have reached out to let me know how the events in Minneapolis this week have impacted you in body, mind or spirit. You've shared anger, shock, disbelief, worry, grief. Me too. All of the above. For those who are not on Facebook, or who don't follow Saint Anne's on Facebook (what?!), this is what I shared there on the evening of the shooting:

Our faith teaches that every human being bears God’s image and deserves care and protection. Each of us shares the responsibility to uphold that care in our families, communities, and society. That responsibility was broken today by an immigration officer who killed someone who posed no threat. This is not just a violation of law, but a profound moral failure that demands grief and outrage.

In our Baptismal Covenant, we make a promise to respect the dignity of every human being. Following Jesus means rejecting violence and refusing to accept a world where violence is normalized.

A woman died today. A wife and a mother, a neighbor and friend, and a beloved of God's in her own right. We grieve her death. We stand with our community. We reject the systems of violence that empowered her killer. And we recommit ourselves to the hard work of justice, protection, and care that our faith demands of us.

Lord have mercy.

Since that writing, I continue to grieve this, and I do also see signs of mercy. I see prayer vigils with people singing "This Little Light of Mine". I see people doubling down on efforts to support one another. I see neighbors offering free day care where schools are closed, and teachers who take actions to protect their students where schools are open. I see immigrant business being supported. I see all of you, and your loving, open hearts, and all the ways you look to support and give and show up in the world as the face of, and the hands and feet of, Love.

Scripture tells us that light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. It did not, and does not, and cannot. I believe that to be so. My prayer for you this week is for that promise to live in each of your hearts too.