May 27 was an eventful evening. In cooperation with Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light, we opened the building to serve as a medic station and immediately began serving people with a variety of injuries–most of them tear gas related. Early this morning (May 28), we lost power (along with many others in the neighborhood). Apart from that minor inconvenience, our building and both affordable housing apartment buildings made it safely through the night. Thank you to the congregants who spent the evening at Holy Trinity–not to safeguard its contents, but to tend to the sick, the grieving, the fearful, the hungry.

The scene has calmed a bit, enough for folks to get out and survey our beloved Lake Street. it’s tempting to focus our attention on the destruction that the neighborhood experienced last night–the fires, the windows, the merchandise lost, the tagging. (Believe me, my tears fell alongside yours this morning as the sun rose. After all, Longfellow is my home.) I’d invite all of us to remember that these are but symptoms of a society that has suffered for far too long under the crushing weight of inequality. As people of faith, we mourn the losses of last night; the landscape of our neighborhood has been forever changed. As people of faith, we also refuse to let anything distract us from the brutal violence and years of systemic disparities that brought us here, right here.

Many of you have asked how you can help:

1. If you pray, we’d welcome your prayers.
2. If you don’t pray, but are willing to try something new, we’d welcome your prayers, too.
3. We have received enough supplies for now.
4. Financial donations can be given through Holy Trinity’s website. When asked to choose a fund, select “other” and simply type “justice.” We will ensure every penny helps those who find their way into our care. We’ll also share generously with our justice partners, without whom we cannot do this work.

This Sunday is Pentecost–the day of the church year when we celebrate the Spirit’s presence in and among us. As helicopters circle above me, I’m leaning into the promise of an Advocate, who offers comfort, inspires creativity, cultivates strength, and beckons us–always, always, always beckons us–closer to God’s vision for the world.

More later,

Pastor Ingrid