Many of us finished up 2025 hoping that 2026 would be better. Sadly, it is not. We are witnessing continued harassment and violence against immigrants as well as toward persons of color who are assumed to be immigrants. Sadly, this has taken an even darker turn with the killing of immigrants and even US citizens. The shooting of Alex Pretti, a white professional citizen man, finally generated some backlash against immigration enforcement and the Trump administration. Sadly, this is unlikely to change harsh immigration tactics.
We are heartened by the mobilization and resistance in Minneapolis and across the nation. I am in awe of the tens of thousands Minneapolis residents turning out in subzero weather to protest and resist. Clergy are also participating to confront injustice including many who have traveled to Minneapolis to provide spiritual, emotional, and de-escalating care. I’m proud that UUA clergy are among the religious leaders showing up. See the UUWorld article here
Here at UUSM, we continue to show up to protest injustice and to show up for each other. We continue do the important congregational work of searching for a new minister. The search committee will share information with the congregation in a townhall on Sunday Feb 1 and a Zoom meeting on Wednesday February 4. Find more information here. I am grateful for the hard work of committee members: Susan Hendricks, Chela Metzger, Beth Rendeiro, Norm Richey, Shanna Shaked, Cassie Winters, and James Witker. We will be hearing more from them as the process unfolds.
