We appeal to every church in Minnesota to address the deadly violence that has occurred in our nation this past week, including the tragic deaths of Philando Castile, Alton Sterling, a 2-year-old child in North Minneapolis and the deaths of 5 police officers in Dallas. Romans 12 commands us to “weep with those who weep,” and many people in our own state are weeping, whether they be the family and friends of young Black men, or the family and friends of police officers. Past experience has informed us that when churches have remained silent in moments like now, those who mourn are hurt by our silence when we do not grieve with them. For those Christians and church leaders who find themselves at a loss for words, we offer suggestions on how to address these events with your congregation, how to pray and respond, and what steps to take next. Together as the Body of Christ we must lament, pray for peace, and offer hope to the world.

A coalition of African American churches launched a grand endeavor on Thursday June 16 to combat gang violence and high unemployment rates in the black community. At a press conference, dozens of faith leaders in the African American community committed $100,000 to employ youth workers to intervene at the street level, recruit job coaches, and train leaders in trauma and mental health services.

Will your church participate in Pray Together Sunday and commit to a time of prayer in your worship service on July 10? With a unified voice, we will join together and ask Jesus to reset our hearts and our nation. Pray Together Sunday will kick-o­ff the week leading up to Together 2016, a national campaign to bring 1 million people to the National Mall for a day of worship and prayer on Saturday, July 16.

Fundraising is an unfortunate term – it puts the onus on the act of raising funds. Yet, we believe fundraising is a ministry in itself, not just a way to fund your ministry. Fundraising needs to be a proclamation that our loving God is in our midst, that His Spirit is moving to accomplish this plan, and that we get to be participants with Him. We invite people, and give them the opportunity to become a part of this movement that God is doing in our midst. Whether we are asking for money or giving money, we are drawn together by God, who is about to do a new thing through our collaboration.