“Jesus is Being Tear Gassed at Broadview”

An Open Letter from Chicago Clergy

“Can I use my pastoral expense account to buy a gas mask?” It’s a question dozens of Chicago pastors asked our church boards this month. Few of us expected to be met with this degree of hostility and cruelty at the Broadview detention center, as we remain committed to nonviolent action and the peaceful exercise of our First Amendment rights. Our group comprises dozens of pastors and is still only a fraction of the clergy who are showing up and standing in support.

Unfortunately, peaceful actions—such as prayer and communion—have meant little to ICE agents. They lob tear gas, use pepper spray and bully sticks, body slam and drag protestors. One of our colleagues was hit in the face multiple times with pepper balls and rubber bullets. This is the brutality we are now accustomed to. We come offering bread and prayer, hope for justice and healing—we leave washing pepper spray out of each other’s eyes.

We willingly submit to these risks. What Kristi Noem and her ICE agents are doing is immoral. They aren’t arresting criminals; they are arresting our neighbors. They are tearing families apart. They wait at bus stops to detain children and use them as bait to lure parents from their homes. People of all ages are in hiding, businesses shuttered, and our friends and congregants—the people we have been ordained to serve—are being taken to Broadview in unmarked vans.

Despite these facts, pastors are asked by well-meaning people—those both inside and outside the church—why we put our bodies on the line. Aren’t the ICE agents simply doing their job and following the law? Why do we oppose their actions? And what does any of this have to do with the teachings of Jesus?

It isn’t lost on us that the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. encountered the same questions. After Bull Connor aimed his hoses at protestors and King was arrested, he penned his famous “Letter from the Birmingham Jail.” In it, he says that there are just and unjust laws, and one has not only the option but the moral obligation to refuse unjust laws. We oppose the laws and orders that allow for the hunting and terrorizing of immigrant communities.

But it’s not only the words of the King that inspire our actions. It’s the teachings of Jesus. Specifically, The Sermon on the Mount is an instruction manual for nonviolent action on behalf of the persecuted. Here Jesus blesses the poor, the meek, the hungry, the peacemakers and the persecuted, and promises them the kingdom of heaven.

We accept that following Christ’s example may mean we are mocked and assaulted, opposed and even arrested. Jesus has guidance for this as well, saying, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you.” If he were living today, we believe he might add “pepper spray, body slam and arrest you” to his beatitude.

Jesus further stipulates how we must treat strangers. He famously told his disciples, “I was a stranger and you invited me in.” When asked what he meant by this, he said, “Whatever you did to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did unto me.”

In other words, when our friends and congregants are kidnapped, forced into hiding, torn away from their families—those things are happening to Jesus in real time. As Christians, we cannot look away. We must act to stop this evil and witness to the goodness and dignity of all God’s children. For us, the stakes couldn’t be higher. As Matt 25:46 clarifies, those who refuse hospitality to the stranger, refuse to see Jesus in the faces of the persecuted, stand condemned.

The good news, of course, is that anyone at any time can change their heart. It applies to all of us. Those who have been sitting on the sidelines can get involved. They can join us at Broadview but there are many other ways to help. They can write to theiriship officials, go to protests in their communities, support families with food and necessities and reach out to those who are fearful.

The Trump administration and the ICE agents, too, can have a change of heart. They can set aside their indifference and cruelty. They can put away their assault rifles and bully sticks. They can give up their pepper spray and rubber bullets. They can choose not to do this, cross to the other side of the fence and join us for communion.

It's not too late to repent.

In faith,

The Rev. Quincy Worthington, Highland Park Presbyterian Church

Dr. Elias Ortega, President, Meadville Lombard Theological School

The Rev. Dr. Lucas Hergert, North Shore Unitarian Church

Rev. Dennis R. Edwards, PhD, Seminary Dean, North Park Theological Seminary

The Rev. Abby Holcombe, River Forest United Methodist Church / Urban Village Church

Fr. Brendan Curran, OP, The Resurrection Project

Fr. Bryan Cones, Trinity Episcopal Church

The Rev. Erin Marth, Christ Church of Chicago

The Rev. Kristina Sinks

10. Fr. Larry Dowling, Priests for Justice for Immigrants

The Rev. Jason W. Coulter, First Congregational Church

The Rev. Emily Heitzman, Presbyterian Church USA

The Rev. Allison Farnum, UU Prison Ministry of Illinois

The Rev. Tim Kim, Root & Branch Church

The Rev. Eileen Wiviott, Unitarian Church of Evanston

The Rev. Ann-Louise Haak, Wellington UCC

The Rev. Shawna Bowman, Friendship Presbyterian Church

The Rev. Emily Gage, Unity Temple

The Rev. Matthew Eyerman, Blessed Maria Gabriella Church

20. The Rev. Bret Lortie, Rockford

The Rev. Karen Mooney, Countryside Church

The Rev. Pamela Rumancik, Countryside Church

The Rev. Dr. Beth Johnson, Unitarian Church of Hinsdale

Dr. Emma Farrell, Unitarian Church in Evanston

The Rev. Susan Francis, Unitarian Church Evanston

Piers Fetters, Dr. of General and Outreach Ministries, FUMC

The Rev. Joseph L. Morrow, minister member, Chicago Presbytery

rev. dr. abby mohaupt, minister member, Chicago Presbytery

Pastor Nick Joyner, Olivet UMC

30. The Rev. Leandro Fossa, C.S., Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Pastor Isaac Huffman, New Life Community Church

The Rev. Marilyn Pagan-Banks, Exec. Dir., A Just Harvest

The Rev. Hannah Kardon, United Church of Rogers Park

The Rev. Dr. Beth Brown, Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church

The Rev. Ashley McFaul-Erwin, Lake View Presbyterian

The Rev. Ed Shea, OFM

The Rev. Charles W. Dahm, Dir., Domestic Violence Outreach

The Rev. Ronald G. McGowin, Christ Our Advocate - Wheaton

The Rev. Aaron Harrison, Christ Our Advocate - Wheaton

40. The Rev. Dr. Emily Hunter McGowin, Christ Our Advocate - Wheaton

Fr. Don Nevins, Catholic Priest, Chicago

The Rev. Scott Aaseng, Unitarian Universalist Advocacy Network Illinois

The Rev. Clayton Edwards, Kingswood United Methodist Church

Pastor J. Scott Howington, Pleasant Hill Community Church

Rev. George D. Smith, Rector, St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Glen Ellyn

Amy Peeler, Associate Priest, St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Geneva, IL

Rev. Wendy J. Boden, Southminster Presbyterian Church, Glen Ellyn, IL

Rev. Kevin Caruso, Trinity Episocpal Church, Wheaton, IL

Rev. Seth Ethan Carey, Senior Minister, First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn

50. Fr. Jonathan French, Rector at St Mark’s Episcopal Church, Geneva IL

Rev. M. Grayson Van Camp

Rev. Kyle Roggenbuck, Ass. Pastor, First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn

Rev. Erin Wyma, St. Matthew UCC Church of Wheaton

Rev. Carol Hill, Park Ridge Community Church, Park Ridge, IL

Rev. Josh Erickson, Park Ridge Presbyterian Church, Park Ridge, IL

Rev. Beth Monhollen, Unitarian Universalist Church of Urbana-Champaign

Rev. Rebecca Anderson, Bethany UCC

Rev. Jennifer Nordstrom, Senior Minister, First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee

Rev. Kelly Asprooth-Jackson, Co-Senior Minister, First Unitarian Society of Madison, WI

60. Rev. Vince Amlin, Bethany United Church of Christ, Chicago

The Rev. Lori Hlaban, retired parish minister, Unitarian Universalist

Dr. Emily Mace

Rev. Brian Sauder, Faith in Place

The Rev. Kimberlee Tomczak Carlson​​, First Unitarian Society Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Rev. Alan C. Taylor, the Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva

Pastor Cy Fields, New Landmark MB Church, Chicago, Illinois

Rev. Dr. Marlene Walker, Unitarian Universalist Minister

Rev. Roger Bertschausen, Unity Temple, Oak Park

Rev. Dr. Clare Butterfield, Butterfield Advisors LLC

70. rev. mandi huizenga, Minister, DuPage Unitarian Universalist Church

Rev. Sabrina Trupia, First Unitarian Church of St. Louis

Rev. David Messner, Ph.D., First Unitarian Church of Chicago

Rev. Lynn Strauss, retired minister, Third Unitarian Church, Chicago

Rev. Mollie Foster, Park Ridge Community Church

Rev. Dr. Matthew Johnson, Rockford

Fr. Enzo Del Brocco, C.P., President, Catholic Theological Union

Rev. Randall K. Blakey, LaSalle Street Church

The Rev. Megan Tobola, First United Methodist Church of Oak Park, IL, and Woodside UMC of Riverside, IL

Rev. Alexa Dava, LaSalle Street Church

80. Rev. Michael Eaddy, People’s Church of God in Christ, Chicago, IL

stephen thurston new covenant baptist church chicago

Rev. Allison Farnum, Unitarian Universalist Prison Ministry of Illinois

Rev. Alexander Dungan, Wesley United Methodist Church of Naperville

The Rev. Dr. Virginia J. White, University of Chicago Divinity School

Rev. Dr. William E. Crowder, Jr. Regional Minister and President Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan

Rev. Britt Cox First United Methodist Church of Evanston

Rev. Jonathan Grace, Urban Village Church

Rev. Chris Griffin, Soul City Church

Rev. Alexis Vaughan

90. Pastor Paco Amador - Nueva Vida en La Villita

Rev. James Fu, First United Methodist and Christ United Methodist Churches of Elmhurst

Rev. Dr. Pamela R. Lightsey, Urban Village Church Hyde Park Woodlawn

Rev. Larissa Forsythe, Epiphany UCC, Chicago

Pastor JD Anderson Centennial MBC Chicago

Rev. David Swanson, New Community Covenant Church, Chicago, IL

Rev. Michael Pfleger Faith Community of St Sabina

Rev. Michelle L Sevig, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Chicago

Rev. Allie Lundblad, Christian Church of Arlington Heights

The Rev. Dr. Vickie D. Johnson, St. Thomas Lutheran Church, 8000 South Jeffery Blvd

100. Pastor Monte Johnson, Immanuel Lutheran, ELCA

Rev. Craig Mueller, Holy Trinity Lutheran, Chicago

Rev Liala Beukema LakeView Lutheran Chicago IL

The Rev. Dr. Erin Bouman, Irving Park Lutheran Church

Kathryn Banakis, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Evanston

Rev. Jason S. Glombicki; Wicker Park Lutheran Church, Chicago, IL

The Rev. Amity Carrubba, Grace Episcopal Church, Chicago

Rev. Lynn M. Bird, Zion Lutheran Church, Tinley Park, IL

Rev. Sharai Jacob, Holy Trinity Lutheran, Chicago

Rev. Dr. Anne McCall, First Immanuel Lutheran Church

110. The Rev. Kathy Wellman, Northern Illinois Conference of The United Methodist Church

Rev. Dr. Gail L. Rice, Freedom Church Hillside

The Rev. Dr. Kelly Faulstich, Resurrection Lutheran Chicago

Rev. Tom Gehring, ELCA

Christian Scharen, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago

The Rev. Dr. David Lyle, Grace Lutheran Church, River Forest

Rev. Lindsay Mack, Luther Memorial Church of Chicago

Rev. Aneel Trivedi, Messiah Lutheran Church, Park Ridge

Dr. Mike Hogue, Professor of Theology, Meadville Lombard Theological School

Deacon Sarah L. Swagler, Luther Memorial Church Chicago

120. Rev. Nathan Houstin, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Chicago

Rev. Nanette Sawyer, Fourth Presbyterian Church

Rev. Julie Grafe, St. Luke's Lutheran Church-Park Ridge, IL

The Rev. Adam Dowd, Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Darien

The Rev. Elle Dowd,  Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Darien

The Rev. William Bouvel, Church of the Holy Comforter, Kenilworth, IL

Rev. Benjamin Lynch, Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church

Rev. Hailey Braden, Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church

Pastor Tyrone McGowan Progressive Community Church, Chicago, IL

The Rev. Dr. Robert Goldstein, Lutheran, Ret.

130. Rev. Erik Christensen, Trinity Lutheran Church, Evanston

Rev. Erin Coleman Branchaud, St. Luke's Lutheran Church of Logan Square

The Rev. Heidi L. Torgerson, Grace Lutheran Church of LaGrange

The Rev. Lukas Harris-Ferree, Grace Lutheran Church, Evanston

Rev. Amy Pagliarella, Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago

The Rev Kelsey L Johnson, Redeemer Lutheran Church of Hinsdale

The Rev. Kathy Nolte, Associate to the Bishop, Metropolitan Chicago Synod ELCA

Rev. Laura Wilson Underwood, United Methodist elder, Glenview IL

Rev. Kristin Hutson, Edgewater Presbyterian Church, Chicago, IL

Deacon Julie B Sevig, Metropolitan Chicago Synod-ELCA

140. Tom Terrell - Christ Lutheran Church, Chicago

Rev. Troy K. Venning, MDiv, MBA | Quinn Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Chicago

Rev. Marland J. Brazier, Canaan AME Church - Maywood, IL

Rev. Dr. Christopher Pierson, Northern Illinois Conference, The United Methodist Church

Rev. Stef Coleman, Mayfair Presbyterian Church, Chicago IL

Dr. Andrew DeCort, Community Mennonite Church, Markham, IL

Rev. Akil Dickens, Arnett Chapel AME Church

Rev. Dwayne A. Gary, Woodlawn AME Church

The Rev. Fr. Primo C. Racimo, St. Margaret of Scotland Episcopal Church, Chicago, IL and Iglesia Filipina Independiente St. Augustin of Hippo, Chicago, IL

Rev. Dr. Kim Gaitor, Miller Chapel Christ Centered Ministries, University Park, IL

150. Canon Alonzo Pruitt, St Christopher’s Church, Oak Park

The Rev. Daryce Hoff Nolan, Episcopal Diocese of Chicago

The Rev. Paul Willey, Shepherd's Heart Ministry, ELCA

Rev. Katie Hines-Shah - Redeemer Lutheran Church Hinsdale, IL

The Rev. Julie Boleyn

Rev. Jeanine Reardon United in Faith, Chicago, IL

Rev. Miguel Briones St. Mark’s Episcopal, Glen Ellyn

The Rev. Colin Knapp, Pilgrim Congregational Church, Oak Park, IL

Rev Joy Douglas Strome, retired from Lake View Presbyterian Church, Chicago

The Rev. Stacy Alan, Brent House

160. J. Daniel Yoon, Hyde Park University Bible Fellowship

Rev. Anne Smith, Annunciation of Our Lady Episcopal Church, Gurnee IL

Rev. Lindsey Joyce, Grace Church of Logan Square

Rev. Charlotte Johnson, Episcopal Church of Our Saviour, Chicago

Rev. Bethany Ulrich, Blue Island, IL

Rev  Dr. Regina Davis-Bridges UMC Homewood,  IL

The Rev. Dr. Anthony Vaccaro, Chicago, IL

Rev. Brenda Barnes Jamieson, United Church of Christ

Rev Avani Christian, New Hope UMC West Chicago/ Hope UMC Naperville

Rev. Kori Robbins, Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church

170. Rev. Fran Leeman, LifeSpring Church, Plainfield, Illinois

Hon. Andrea C. Hawkins-Kamper, M.Div, Staff Minister, All Souls UU, Miami (FL)

Rev. Scott Oberle First Congregational UCC, Downers Grove

Rev. Magdalena I. Garcia, Ravenswood PC, Chicago

Rev Susan Meier, Friendship Presbyterian Church

The Rev. Sara Hayden, 1001 New Worshipping Communities

Rev. Carolyn Bavaro, St. Martin's Chicago

Pastor Brent Bailey, LaSalle Street Church, Chicago, IL

Rev. Megan Dalby-Jones, Epiphany UCC of Chicago

Rev Jenny Hulen, St Simon’s Episcopal Church, Arlington Heights

180. The Rev. Kyle Severson, St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Park Ridge

Rev. Dr. Llewellyn Dixon

Rev. Matt Wilcox, First Presbyterian Church of Normal, Normal, IL

Fr. Philip Maikkula, St. Makarios the Great Orthodox Mission, Hyde Park Chicago

The Rev. Chana Tetzlaff, Associate, St Chrysostom’s, Chicago

Anonymous minister member (retired), Chicago Presbytery

The Rev. Dr. Sallie Watson, Presbyterian Church (USA)

The Reverend Dr. Joanne Lindstrom,  The First Baptist Church of Chicago

Rev. Michael D. Kirby, Northminster Presbyterian Church, Evanston

Rev. Katie Voigt, United Methodist Church of Antioch

190. Jenni Liem, Annunciation Gurnee

Krista Paradiso, Northbrook United Methodist Church

David Gibbons+, St James, Dundee

The Rev. Sara Snowden, PC(USA) Pastor, Carol Stream, IL

Rev. Nancy Dolan, Presbyterian Church USA

Rev. Eli Rolón Jeong, Associate Regional Minister, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in IL, MI, WI

Rev. Kenji Kuramitsu, St. Paul and the Redeemer Episcopal Church, Chicago

Rev Dr Daniel F Diss, Asbury United Methodist Church Kankakee, IL

The Rev. Amanda Holm Rosengren, Church of the Redeemer, Highwood

Rev. Beth Guzman, Morton Grove Community Church

200. Rev. Elizabeth Harding, AM., M.Div., LCSW,  Unitarian Church of Evanston, Skokie, IL

Rev. Linda Slabon, Minister Emerita, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of DeKalb

The Rev. Shireen Baker, Church of Our Saviour, Elmhurst

Rev. Victoria Curtiss, Presbytery of Chicago, Chicago, IL

Bishop Valentin Lorejo, The Good Shepherd Congregation, Philippine Independent Church, Lincolnwood

Rev. Tyler Orem, First Presbyterian Church of Highland, IN

Rev. Bradley Lindsay, Church of the Savior, Wheaton, IL

Rev. La Tonja Ellis, Grant AME Church Chicago

Rev. Adrienne Stricker, First United Methodist Church Elmhurst

Sherrilynn Bevel, PhD - Addie Wyatt Center for Nonviolence, member - Hartzell UMC, Chicago

210. Rabbi Brant Rosen, Tzedek Chicago

The Rev. Dr. Kim Beckmann, ELCA Pastor retired, Chicago

Rev. Heather Godsey, Community Christian Church, Lincolnshire, IL

Fr. David A Jones St. Benedict the African Chicago

Dawn Stary+ St. Ignatius of Antioch in Antioch, IL

The Rt. Rev. Paula  E. Clark, Episcopal Diocese Of Chicago

Rev. Dr. David Breeden, Rt.

Rev. Nathan Perrin, Lombard, IL, Lombard Mennonite Church

Rev. Richard Gehring, Lombard Mennonite Church

The Rev. Charles Everson, Episcopal Church of the Atonement, Chicago

220. Rev. Dr Gene L Green, professor emeritus of New Testament, Wheaton College

Rev. Mary Stephens South Side Church of God South Bend, IN

Matthew Tinken, First Free, Chicago

The Rev. David Walters, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Wheaton, IL

The Rev. M.E. Eccles, St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, Des Plaines

Deaconess Catherine Inserra, First UMC Park Ridge

Rev. Hope Chernich, First United Methodist Church, Des Plaines

Juan Pablo Herrera - Urban Village Church, Chicago

Rev. Kim Chapman, Faith United Methodist Church, Genoa, IL

The Rev. Courtney Reid, All Saints Episcopal, Chicago

230. Rev Betty Jo Birkhahn-Rommelfanger, Northern Il United Methodist Retired, Chicago,IL

The Rev'd E. Suzanne Wille, All Saints' Episcopal Church, Chicago

Rose Marie Berger, Sojourners

Pastor Rand Tucker, Hyde Park Vineyard Church, Chicago

Rev. Barbara Krehbiel Gehring, Lombard Mennonite Church

Rev. Matthew Krings, Renewed Hope United Methodist Church, Chicago

Pastor Melissa Pillman, Missio Dei Wrigleyville

The Rev. Canon Steven M. Balke, Jr.,  St. James Cathedral, Chicago

Rev. Linda Thurston, Trinity Lutheran Church, Des Plaines

Rev. Rachel Birkhahn-Rommelfanger; United Methodist Chicago and Chair Northern Illinois Conference Committee on Church and Society

240. Rev. Kathryn Ray, North Shore Baptist Church

Javier Viera, President, Garrett Seminary

Rev. Zachary D. Wagner, St. Paul Lutheran Church (Villa Park)

Vicar Lyndsay Monsen, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Villa Park, IL

Rev. George Arceneaux IV, St. Christopher's Episcopal Church in Oak Park

Fr. Patrick Gilger, S.J., Assistant Professor, Loyola University Chicago

Rev. Dr. Jennifer Harvey, Garrett Seminary, Evanston, IL

Donovan Michel, First Free, Chicago

The Rev. Jane Eesley, First UMC at the Chicago Temple

Rev. Martin E. Woulfe, Abraham Lincoln UU Cong., Springfield, IL

250. The Rev. Dr. Rafael Malpica Padilla, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago

Pastor Aimee Tucker, Hyde Park Vineyard Church, Chicago, IL

Jimmy Clifton, Missio Dei Uptown

Pastor Brandon Blessman of Missio Dei Albany Park

Bishop Dan Schwerin, Northern Illinois-Wisconsin Area United Methodist Church

Pastor Joe Snedden, Sauganash Community Church

Rev. Carol McVetty, Co-Regional Executive Minister of American Baptist Churches of Metro Chicago

Rev. Douglas Harris, Co-Regional Executive Minister of American Baptist Churches of Metro Chicago

Amber Naylor, Creation Justice Coordinator of American Baptist Churches of Metro Chicago

The Rev. Dr. Gregory S Hardaway, Resurrection Church of Chicago

260. Jillian Westerfield, Associate Minister, Lake Street Church of Evanston

Rev. Frank Walton, Hyde Park Union Church, Chicago

Rev. Liz Jones, First Baptist Church, Peoria, IL

The Rev. Eddie Journey, PhD - Executive Minister, Second Baptist Church, Evanston

Rev. Christopher Shade, Community Church of Barrington

Rev. Dr. Jesse M. Brown, First Baptist, Chicago

Rev. Dr.  Ebony D. Only, First Baptist Church of University Park

The Rev. Dr. Naomi Mitchell, Calvary Baptist Church of Chicago

Audrey / Centennial & Brooke Road UMC

Rev. Michael Strickland, Community Baptist Church, Warrenville, IL

270. Reverend Michael Ware, North Shore Baptist Church

Pastor Jeffrey Brace Zion UMC Mendota, Illinois

Elena Lopez Renewal Church of Chicago

Rev. Jacki Belile, Living Well Ministries

Rev. Kristin Jackson, Living Water Community Church, Chicago

Rev. Jeff Lehn, First Presbyterian Church of Wilmette

Rev. Veronica M. Johnson, The Open Church, remote/Chicago

St Mary’s 519 east 4th street

Jerry Kennell, Taos United Community Church (UCC)

Rev. Terry Kilens, Grace Lutheran Church LaGrange

280. Nadia Kanhai, Grace UMC, Naperville

Joel Craig (Clerk of Session) Wheatland Presbyterian Church, Plainfield, IL

Rev. Dr. Daniel Hazel, Rivers of Hope Chicago

Rev. Dr. thom bower, Church of the Three Crosses, Old Town

Rev. Michael B. Crosby, First Mennonite Church of Champaign-Urbana, Urbana, IL

Jennifer Yang, Wheaton Chinese Alliance Church, Wheaton, IL

Ross Neir, Christian Education Director, Calvary Episcopal Church, Batavia

Brian Fulton, Epiphany Church Chicago, Chicago, IL

The Rev. Dr. Stephen Martz, retired Episcopal priest, Glen Ellyn, IL

Rev. Dr. Shanta Premawardhana, OMNIA Institute for Contextual Leadership, Chicago

Paco Amador New Life in Little Village

Pastor John Omerod, United Church of Christ, Big Rock, IL

In Solidarity:
Rev. Karen Armina, James Reeb Unitarian/Universalist Congregation, Madison, WI

Dr. Steven Tuell, St. Paul's UMC, Allison Park, PA

Pastor Janis Montgomery Christ United Church, Olmsted Falls, OH

Rev. Karen Mann, Sojourners UCC, Charlottesville,  VA

Rev. Catherine Boyle of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto, Palo Alto, California

Rev R Vincent Lavieri, UCC, Kalamazoo Michigan

Rev. Cheryl Burke, Associate Conference Minister, Michigan Conference UCC

Rev. Dr. Robert Moynihan

Rev. Douglas R. Luginbill, Conference Ministers, Mennonite Church USA

Rev. David Elkins, PEACE Mennonite Fellowship, Archbold, OH

Rev. Dr. James Rissler, Atlanta Mennonite Church, Atlanta, Georgia

Rev. Anita Rediger Emmaus Road Mennonite Fellowship Berne, IN

Rev. Joel Miller, Columbus Mennonite Church, Columbus, Ohio

Rev. Mark Rupp, Columbus Mennonite, Columbus OH

Rev. Valerie Showalter, Madison Mennonite Church, Madison, WI

Rev. Krista Showatler Ehst, Shalom Mennonite Congregation, Harrisonburg, VA

Clearlight Worship Group, Taos, NM

Rev. Karl Shelly, Assembly Mennonite Church, Goshen, Indiana

Pastor Josh Richardson, St. Louis Mennonite Fellowship

Rev. Dr. Matthew J. M. Coomber, Professor of theology and biblical studies

Reverend Elizabeth Ritzman, Kalamazoo Michigan

Imagine Church. Zeeland MI

Pastor Dave Jenkins, Mission Evangelical Free Church, Wilton, North Dakota

Andrew Miller, MTS Candidate 2027, Princeton Theological Seminary

Rev. Heather Ghormley, Tree of Life Anglican, South Bend

The Rev. Dr. Shannon Smythe, Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ

Rev. Joshua Simon, UCC WI

Rev. Dr. Jonathan Davis, Peace of Christ Church, Round Rock, TX

Rev. Dr. Stephen Kliewer, First Presbyterian Church, Lostine, OR

Mary Ann Hinsdale, St. Cecilia Parish Boston, former resident of Westchester, IL

Ann Arbor Mennonite Church

Click here to add your name.