Friends,

On Sunday, the Rev. Matthew Johnson preached about his experience of traveling to Bigonet, Haiti, where our congregation has a partnership. You can listen to the sermon here.

Here's what else you'll find below:
A book recommendation from Jane Peck.

With love,
Susan+

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Book Recommendation
From Grace Member Jane Peck

I thoroughly recommend Choctaw Native Bishop Steven Charleston’s book, “We Survived the End of the World, lessons from Native America on apocalypse and hope.” Though written in 2023 it is more timely in 2026 as we in the majority culture experience occupation and real peril. Who better to teach us about managing occupation and mass threat than the native Americans?

The bishop tells true stories of four tribal prophets who began strong and hopeful movements against occupation and genocide. The stories come from the Seneca, Shawnee, Paiute, and Nez Perce tribes. The bishop then pulls lessons for us all from each story as well as summarizing a path forward. Be prepared for inspiration !

Steven Charleston, a member of the Choctaw nation of Oklahoma, was the Episcopal Bishop of Alaska, and dean of the Episcopal Divinity School. has has authored many books.

Tags: Rev Susan, Haiti, Native Americans, occupation

[ In a world that seems increasingly chaotic and broken, many of us feel helpless and afraid. We may question what we can do to make a difference. To build collective courage, in this space we will share examples of how individual members of GEC are practicing the way of Jesus, in private action or in the public arena. How might you find inspiration and hope in the small steps others are taking? ]

It’s Workers Over Billionaires - On May 1, 2026, workers, students, and families rally, march, and take action across the country to demand a nation that puts workers over billionaires, with many refusing business as usual through No School. No Work. No Shopping.

For more information go to maydaystrong.org

Submitted by Joe Lex

[ photo credit ]

Tags: Faith in action

[ In a world that seems increasingly chaotic and broken, many of us feel helpless and afraid. We may question what we can do to make a difference. To build collective courage, in this space we will share examples of how individual members of GEC are practicing the way of Jesus, in private action or in the public arena. How might you find inspiration and hope in the small steps others are taking? ]

Many Minnesotans of faith attended the No Kings 3 rally at the state capitol this past Saturday as an opportunity to put their values into action. Participants including Christians, Muslims, and Jews attended the event as a moral commitment to justice, compassion, and the protection of democratic values over authoritarianism. Their actions mirrored their religious beliefs and showed their objection to Christian Nationalism.

The next day, on Palm Sunday, many Christians returned to the capitol to take a stand against the avarice, inhumanity, and brutality of the current administration thus recalling Jesus humbly entering Jerusalem on the original Palm Sunday as a response to the corruption of the Roman Empire.

Coming Soon: General Strike on May 1

-submitted by Joe L

[ photo credit ]

Tags: Faith in action

Friends,

On Sunday, I preached about the first Palm Sunday, and the ways the defiant story of the Passover made Jesus' procession into occupied Jerusalem a dangerous, provocative event. Matthew's Gospel says that "the whole city was in turmoil" as Jesus entered, and then tossed those exploiting the people out of the Temple, and healed the sick. "Who is this?!?," the people of Jerusalem asked?

Who is this? Who do we say Jesus is?

It's an urgent time for the church to be able to speak clearly about who Jesus is. As voices around us claim that Jesus is a figure of judgment who will ride in on a white battle-horse with an army of avenging angels, we proclaim a Gospel that is actually Good News.

Listen to the rest of the sermon here.

With love,
Susan+

[ photo credit ]

Tags: Rev Susan, Palm Sunday, Jesus, Good News

Friends,

There was a line in Lydia’s sermon last week that really hit home for me. Lydia said, “We are sent forth in the name of Christ, back out into the world of mundane to-do lists, blatant fascism, and joyful birthday parties.”

Holding all of it—the daily details, the heartbreak and fear, and the joy—is the human condition. And God joins us in it: "Our God cannot help but feel his way through, even in the most divine moments. Hope and despair are not mutually exclusive.”

Listen to the rest of Lydia's sermon here.

With love,
Susan+

[ photo credit ]

Tags: Rev Lydia, Lent, Hope, Despair