Sojo Mail - This Easter reveals what’s new

An Easter Sermon For Coronavirus Jim Wallis Easter was never meant to go back to normal; but was, and still is, intended to make all things new. For Christians, it means the proclamation of release over suffering, hope over despair, and life over death. Still, there is no special immunity from COVID-19 granted by physically gathering to worship God. You don’t love your neighbors by putting their health and their neighborhoods at risk. This will be the first Easter in recent memory when Christians across the globe will be unable to join with their fellow believers to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. One biblical text is gaining new meaning in this time is Matthew 18:20, which reads, “for where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” READ THE FULL ARTICLE Forward Share ADVERTISEMENT   Our Latest The Soul of the Nation with Jim Wallis The Soul of the Nation with Jim Wallis informs and inspires everyone from grassroots organizers to political leaders to examine our priorities in meeting the biblical call for social justice and — from that examination — to take action to promote racial and social justice, life and peace, and environmental stewardship. Weekly Wrap 4.10.20 The 10 Best Stories You Missed This Week (by the Web Editors ) Staying home for Easter, a cathedral converted to a hospital, defying despair, and more. Hallelujah, Do Not Hug Him (by Abby Norman) When Mary Magdalene sees Jesus for the first time, he tells her she cannot hold him for he has not yet fully ascended to heaven. ADVERTISEMENT   From the Magazine Will Churches Make Room for #MeToo? (by Jon Little) A review of The #MeToo Reckoning, by Ruth Everhart. ADVERTISEMENTS Pastor/Executive Director opening at Triune Mercy Center in Greenville, SC Seeking a pastor/executive director. Triune is a non-denominational mission church with a vibrant worship service that includes housed and homeless congregants, and a full-scale social service ministry. Description of the position and application process may be found at triunemercy.org. Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled. Job Opening: Full-Time Pastor in Madison, WI First Baptist Church of Madison, WI, seeks a full-time pastor who has core ministry skills, such as preaching and pastoral care, and the ability to connect with contemporary culture. We strive to be a community for all regardless of religious beliefs, background, age, race, culture, gender, physical abilities, economic status, sexual orientation or gender identity. Application deadline: May 20, 2020.

Sojo Mail - Easter is still coming

Grief on the Journey Through Holy Week Jim Wallis We need to walk together, day by day, through the days of this holy weekend — in the midst of this modern plague. Here I offer my map for that journey. Today, we remember the Last Supper, the first communion, and the washing of the disciples’ feet. The occasion for which Jesus and his disciples gathered was a Passover Seder. And last night, Jews everywhere observed their deliverance from slavery in Egypt and the most terrible of the 10 plagues visited on Pharaoh: the slaughter of the firstborn, which moved like a wave through the Egyptian people. In this time of social distancing, it’s hard not to feel eerie parallels as we shelter in our homes while an invisible killer sweeps through our communities, sickening and killing many. Though now we have no guaranteed protection, no lamb's blood over our doors — despite what some Christians who have continued to worship in groups have said. There is greater randomness to the way the coronavirus attacks. In John’s depiction of Maundy Thursday, we get some critical guidance from Jesus as he washes his disciples’ feet. He teaches us that good leadership is exercised through service; in John 13:34-35, Jesus instructs his disciples in the following way: “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." Loving each other in the midst of a global pandemic may look a little different for a while — a big part of demonstrating that love and commitment to each other is maintaining physical distance for as long as it takes to turn the tide of the epidemic. But the care and support we offer each other is critical to our vocation, especially for those most at risk of contracting the virus or those impacted by our economic devastation the hardest.  ... So how do we find ways in the midst of this plague to wash each other’s feet? READ THE FULL ARTICLE Forward Share

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Our Latest Emergency Medicine Expert Mel Herbert on Physical and Spiritual Healing In this special COVID-19 coverage episode of The Soul of the Nation, Dr. Mel Herbert talks with Rev. Jim Wallis on the importance of spiritual healing in a time of medical crisis. Go here to access all of the episodes in this series, including conversations with Larry Brilliant, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, Dr. Leana Wen, and more. Solidarity Is the Soil of Lament (by Dante Stewart) Easter Sunday is coming. But Saturday is here and it's dark.  From Prison Releases to Loan Forgiveness, A Glimpse of Jubilee (by A. Trevor Sutton) Jubilee is appearing all around us amid the coronavirus pandemic. The Bold Imagination of Maundy Thursday Love (by Stephanie Lobdell ) Is Maundy Thursday love enough to chip away at these structural sins?

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From the Magazine Going to Prison in An Age of Corrupt Politics (by Jeanne Murray Walker) A poem.

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Reclaiming Church: A Call to Action for Religious Rejects J.J. Warren continues his call to reaffirm that the Church be welcoming to all in his new book. In it, he addresses young people wanting to be part of a church community, and he closes the book with practical steps for joining voices, building bridges, and working together to reclaim Church. Job Opening: Full-Time Pastor in Madison, WI First Baptist Church of Madison, WI, seeks a full-time pastor who has core ministry skills, such as preaching and pastoral care, and the ability to connect with contemporary culture. We strive to be a community for all regardless of religious beliefs, background, age, race, culture, gender, physical abilities, economic status, sexual orientation or gender identity. Application deadline: May 20, 2020.

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