Dear Friends,

The death of George Floyd has touched off lament and outrage, protests and demonstrations. We in the Twin Cities are at ground zero for an event that, along with the deaths of Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery, have led to a breaking point here and around the country and world. But a breaking point can be a turning point. The past days have been traumatic and tragic, and they have been filled with generosity, kindness, and caring. Each day forward is a day for us to choose to do the ongoing and necessary work of healing and reconciliation in our city, state, country, and world. 
This is the memorial that has been created for George Floyd. It is sacred ground. Breaking down systems of oppression and building systems of equality and love are spiritual tasks. The past week has shown us the spiritual potential we have as neighbors and friends. As we read each year on Ash Wednesday, "The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." (Psalm 51:17) 

While COVID-19 will be keeping us from gathering in person for some time to come, we will find ways to do our spiritual work.
  
Watch for our mailing on the Phases for Reopening House of Hope. We will be guided by science and our deepest values for the wellness and wholeness of all people and the protection of the most vulnerable. 

Please return the All Church Check-In postcard that will be coming your way soon. We want to hear how you are managing during this period of sheltering at home and community unrest. You can fill out and mail the postcard back to the church or complete an online version via our website.

If you want to help in the community, there are many options.

  • Food Insecurity - Donate to food pantries at Hallie Q. Brown and Neighborhood House or help in our Community Garden. Please consider donating on our website using the fund “Food Shelf," or by sending a check to HOH noted for "Food Shelf."
  • Mission Outreach - Donate to the Mission Outreach fund at HOH on our website using the fund “Mission Outreach,” or by sending a check to HOH noted for “Mission Outreach."
  • Volunteer - Look for volunteer opportunities through our Mission Partners, Hands on Twin Cities or the Star Tribune.
  • Give to organizations closely linked to areas most impacted following the death of George Floyd. The Minneapolis Interfaith Relief Fund (MIRF); Westminster Presbyterian Church is their fiscal sponsor. Also consider supporting the Lake Street Council or West Broadway Business and Area Coalition.

I hope you will also take this moment to learn more about equity and social justice . House of Hope has been honored to host Eddie Glaude, Jr., Harry Belafonte, Don Lemon, Michael Eric Dyson, and Leonard Pitts, Jr. in the last four years. They’ve challenged us to think about equality and race.

I will facilitate Zoom small discussion groups  to talk about recent events in Minneapolis and St. Paul in concert with statements from these esteemed speakers. I encourage you to revisit the sermon that Leonard Pitt’s presented on January 19, 2020. You can watch it here. Zoom meetings will be held on June 9 at 3:30 p.m., June 14 at 2 p.m. or June 15 at 7 p.m. If you are interested in participating, call the church office at (651) 227-6311 or send an email to  hoh@hohchurch.org  with your preferred date option.

See you online,
Julia