Dear friends,
“We must hold the Bible in one hand, and the newspaper in the other.”
These words are attributed to Karl Barth, one of the great theologians of the 20th century. His words were addressed to preachers, but really they are relevant to all Christians. We are to look at the world, as seen in the news, through the lens of faith. With that in mind, for the month of February our adult Sunday School class will be looking at headlines from the week through that lens. Come and bring a headline that has somehow spoken to you. We’re not talking about fun or light-hearted stories, although God knows, we need them. We are looking for stories that call for a response — not a Democratic or Republican response, but a Christian one. What does our faith have to say about the news of the day?
Here is a little information about Karl Barth. He was from Switzerland but was working in Germany during the rise of Hitler. In 1934, as the German Protestant Church attempted to come to terms with Nazi Germany, Barth was largely responsible for the writing of the Barmen Declaration, which rejected the influence of Nazism on German Christianity by arguing that the Church‘s allegiance to the God of Jesus Christ should give it the impetus and resources to resist the influence of other lords, such as the German Führer, Adolf Hitler. Barth mailed this declaration to Hitler personally.
He was forced to resign from his professorship at the University of Bonn in 1935 for refusing to swear an oath to Hitler. Barth then returned to his native Switzerland, where he assumed a chair in systematic theology at the University of Basel.
There are, of course, obvious parallels to Barth’s time in Germany and our own situation. There are plenty of days I can barely stand to look at the newspaper or listen to news on the radio and TV. But one of our obligations as people of faith is to know what is going on in the world around us. Last week a friend sent me these prayers for reading the news, written by Irwin Keller, a rabbi in California.
“I find myself not infrequently afraid to open the morning news,” he writes. “I am aware that I have the privilege of not reading the paper and going about having by most accounts a good day. But I don’t want to be so frightened of how upset the news will make me that I stay uninformed and close myself off to the witnessing, compassion, and action that I feel this moment requires of me and of us.” And so he wrote these prayers. We will open and close Sunday School with them, and I invite you to use them yourselves through the week.
A Prayer Before Reading the News
My God, the soul you have placed in me is pure and vulnerable. I am afraid that looking at today’s news will be painful. Encircle me in a robe of light so that I can witness the wounds of the world without being wounded myself. Let me learn what I need to know in order to be of my greatest use, without being overwhelmed by despair. I feel your protective light now as I open myself to the world’s suffering and the world’s joys. Amen.
A Prayer After Reading the News
O Lord, I am yours, and all that is in this world is yours. Today I have read stories and seen images, but my knowledge is incomplete. I don’t know how it all connects. But I know that I am connected to everyone; I take joy in their joy; I suffer with their suffering. If there is no role for me to play today then let my learning leave me wiser and better prepared. If there is a role for me to play, let clarity rise up in me to see it, even if that role is a humble one. Lift up the work of my hands, in anything they might do for peace, for justice, for the wholeness of our planet, or for the betterment of my community. Just as you turned the curse of Balaam into a blessing, so may all my actions accrue to the good. Amen.
The Trump administration’s assault on the most vulnerable among us continues. This week the Episcopal Migration Ministries, a refugee resettlement agency announced that 22 members of its staff will be laid off because of the executive order signed on Inauguration Day halting any refugees, even those who have been vetted and approved by the government, from entering the country. Here is a link to the news story: https://episcopalnewsservice.org/2025/01/31/episcopal-migration-ministries-to-end-resettlement-work-lay-off-22-after-trump-halts-refugee-program/
Pasted below is information about the New Americans Celebration, an annual day of lobbying state legislators on behalf of immigrants and refugees. This year’s event is on February 13 at 8:30 a.m. It begins with a gathering at Central Presbyterian Church, across the street from the State Capital. Unfortunately, I already have other commitments that morning, but some of you may be interested in attending.
Many of you may remember longtime former parishioner Bill Morgan. He died in January in Maryland, where they moved to be closer to family. You may read his obituary here.
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/annapolis-md/william-morgan-12201854
Hope to see you tomorrow.
With love,
Tricia
Dear friend and advocate, Today, we are deeply reminded of the importance of the New Americans Celebration. Every year, this event is a powerful statement of unity and advocacy, but in light of everything that has happened in the past weeks, it feels even more urgent. Many in our community are feeling afraid, confused, and hurting. The new presidential administration has intensified immigration enforcement, leading to increased deportation raids and heightened fear within our communities. These actions have resulted in numerous arrests, including individuals who were previously protected under prior policies. Additionally, recent executive orders have been issued to revoke Temporary Protected Status for certain groups and to challenge birthright citizenship, further contributing to the uncertainty and distress among immigrants and refugees.Now more than ever, we must come together. The New Americans Celebration is an opportunity to showcase the invaluable contributions of refugees and immigrants who make Georgia stronger, more diverse, and more vibrant.
At CRSA Georgia, our mission is to advocate for policies that uplift and empower our communities. Refugees and immigrants are essential to Georgia’s economy, culture, and future. Their resilience and contributions shape our state in meaningful ways, and it is critical that we continue to support and celebrate them.
We invite you to join us at this year’s New Americans Celebration to stand in solidarity, share stories, and highlight the impact of our communities. Your presence matters, and together, we can build a more inclusive and welcoming Georgia. We look forward to seeing you there!See you there!
Steph and Becca
Co-Chairs for the New Americans Celebration
Join us at the Capitol to stand in solidarity, make our voices heard, and show our elected leaders the strength and resilience of our communities.
New Americans Celebration
Central Presbyterian Church & GA State Capital
Central Presbyterian Church & GA State Capital
February 13th, 2025, 8:30am