davidwswanson.bsky.social - Profile | ThreadSky | a Reddit-style client for Bluesky

A remnant of the USA church must urgently commit ourselves to non-violently resisting the powers of evil. As a witness to Jesus and an expression of love for neighbor, our nonviolent resistance can be a spoke in the cycle of violence-begetting-violence.

submitted 1 day ago • 1 comment

Preacher, what's the passage and theme for your sermon tomorrow? I'll be in John 16:12-15, "The Holy Spirit guides us into the truth."

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"Prophets without relationship become religious terrorists. Pastors without truth become sentimental chaplains." This clear description of the prophetic and pastoral edges of ministry is the best I've read. Dr. Raymond Rivera in an incredible gift to the church. medium.com/@raymondrive...

submitted 2 days ago • 1 comment

Today – as the presidential administration escalates their persecution of migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers – was a good day to join some friends to protest with and for our immigrant neighbors.

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Protesting is not pastoring. But pastors who reject the possibility of protest are allowing the comfort of their privilege to drown out the cry of those desperate enough to protest.

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The White House and Homeland Security recently promoted a graphic made by white supremacists describing immigrants & migrants as "foreign invaders" and urging people to turn them in. This administration continues to make its goals plain. Believe them and act accordingly. HT @dbernstein.bsky.social

submitted 4 days ago • 1 comment

The White House and Homeland Security recently promoted a graphic made by white supremacists describing immigrants & migrants as "foreign invaders" and urging people to turn them in. This administration continues to make its goals plain. Believe them and act accordingly. HT @dbernstein.bsky.social

submitted 4 days ago • 1 comment

Anyone else planning to participate in this rally in support for our immigrant and migrant neighbors? I'd love to see you there.

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As we endure this increasingly coercive and cruel presidential administration, the upcoming Juneteenth holiday provides a historical witness and theological reflection to enliven and encourage us today. Here's an excerpt from my sermon last year from Romans 5:1-5, "Hope in Troubling Times."

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Got to hang out with some of the Jackson Park summertime residents this morning: an eastern kingbird striking a pose, a yellow warbler in its nest, a Baltimore oriel snacking, and another warbler checking me out from around the bend.

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Preachers, what's the passage and big idea for your sermon tomorrow? For Pentecost, I'll be in John 14:15-27, "Filled with the Spirit, Jesus’ followers experience his commandments as love."

submitted 8 days ago • 0 comments

The Race Against Gun Violence is always one of my favorite nights of the year. A huge thanks to the more than 50 runners, joggers, and walkers who supported our church's nonprofit, newcommunityoutreach.org. Especially proud of our oldest who came in 12th in the 8K race. For context, I placed 115th.

submitted 9 days ago • 0 comments

Late evening on June 5, 1999, walking down the aisle of Graham Chapel in Montreat, NC having made our promises before God and these witnesses. Two twenty-one-year-olds hanging on tight with no idea about what comes next. 26 years later, still mostly clueless but still hanging on tight.

submitted 10 days ago • 0 comments

I'm thankful that this legislation – for now, at least – has not been passed by our state senate. I'm especially grateful for Cardinal Cupich's leadership. Read his recent letter opposing the proposed legislation here: www.archchicago.org/statement/-/... chicago.suntimes.com/politics/202...

submitted 14 days ago • 0 comments

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. O give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever. O give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever. - Psalm 136

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The urge to shame others is proof of our own unhealed shame.

submitted 15 days ago • 1 comment

It's been a long five years, hasn't it? Of everything you've learned, re-learned, or had confirmed since George Floyd was murdered, what one thing has been most important to you?

submitted 17 days ago • 0 comments

Last year I suggested some ways to include Juneteenth themes in corporate worship, something which feels especially urgent as the holiday approaches and Black (Christian) history is intentionally suppressed. buttondown.com/david.w.swan...

submitted 18 days ago • 0 comments

A singing house wren and hungry song sparrow from this afternoon's walk through the grounds at the Portiuncula Center for Prayer.

submitted 19 days ago • 1 comment

The lupine was showing off at the Indiana National Lakeshore yesterday.

submitted 19 days ago • 1 comment

Woe to those who make unjust laws.

submitted 23 days ago • 1 comment

Woe to those who make unjust laws.

submitted 23 days ago • 1 comment

For our denomination's magazine I wrote about the cultural assumptions embedded in how we address our pastors. The best part of the article is the section at the end written by a few clergy friends. covchurch.org/2024/09/16/w...

submitted 25 days ago • 0 comments

On consecutive Mondays, the presidential administration welcomed white Afrikaners as refugees and began investigating Chicago's mayor for hiring too many African Americans. This administration is aggressively pursuing an agenda of white supremacy and we'd be foolish to pretend otherwise.

submitted 26 days ago • 0 comments

On consecutive Mondays, the presidential administration welcomed white Afrikaners as refugees and began investigating Chicago's mayor for hiring too many African Americans. This administration is aggressively pursuing an agenda of white supremacy and we'd be foolish to pretend otherwise.

submitted 26 days ago • 0 comments

"We think that somehow God can only use the parts of our lives that look clean, that look polished, that look worthy of a testimony. But what if the glory is in the scar?" - @richtywil.bsky.social

submitted 27 days ago • 0 comments

"While the racial binary restricts those who can participate in the reconciliation project, centering the material causes behind racial injustice allows not only for everyone to be included in the conversation but for everyone to participate in repair." buttondown.com/david.w.swan...

submitted 28 days ago • 0 comments

Suppressing Black history. Expelling influential Black people. Discriminating against Black communities. Agitating for the pardon of the officer whose murder of a Black man instigated the largest racial reckoning in generations. The trajectory is obvious. Let's not pretend we can't see it.

submitted 31 days ago • 1 comment

Suppressing Black history. Expelling influential Black people. Discriminating against Black communities. Agitating for the pardon of the officer whose murder of a Black man instigated the largest racial reckoning in generations. The trajectory is obvious. Let's not pretend we can't see it.

submitted 31 days ago • 1 comment

My friend Helen Lee's new book is out now! While it's definitely for kids, this beautifully book is for anyone learning to sit prayerfully with this world's pain. Find it here: bookshop.org/p/books/kayl...

submitted 32 days ago • 1 comment

So much activity in Jackson Park this morning, including this song sparrow tuning up, a yellow warbler surveying his territory, and a hungry goldfinch.

submitted 33 days ago • 0 comments

This morning, after a brief sermon, walked up to our nonprofit's community gardens to pray for a fruitful season of planting, harvesting, and sharing with our neighbors. After closing worship on the school lot we enjoyed paletas to celebrate Mother’s’ Day. Such a joyful morning!

submitted 35 days ago • 0 comments

Hey preachers, what's the passage and big idea for your sermon tomorrow? I'll preach from Luke 24:13-35, "Jesus reveals himself through people shaped by Scripture."

submitted 36 days ago • 1 comment

I enjoyed joining Meghan Tschanz on her Faith and Feminism podcast to talk about Plundered: www.meghantschanz.com/plundered-th...

submitted 39 days ago • 0 comments

Song sparrows, palm warblers, and Baltimore oriels were all well-represented during my walk through Jackson Park this morning.

submitted 40 days ago • 0 comments

“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil.” - Isaiah 5:20 Keep speaking up, friends.

submitted 41 days ago • 2 comments

“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil.” - Isaiah 5:20 Keep speaking up, friends.

submitted 41 days ago • 2 comments

"While our congregations will typically stay out of the political weeds, it’s our very identity as the embodied presence of Christ in the world which compels our prophetic witness when the intention and methods of our nation’s leaders damage our neighbors." buttondown.com/david.w.swan...

submitted 43 days ago • 2 comments

"Onesti said the new statue should honor Frances Xavier Cabrini, the Roman Catholic nun better known as Mother Cabrini. The first American to be recognized as a saint by the Roman Catholic Church, Cabrini cared for Italian immigrants on Chicago’s West Side."

submitted 44 days ago • 0 comments

It was always about power.

submitted 45 days ago • 1 comment

It was always about power.

submitted 45 days ago • 1 comment

Spent a few hours hanging out with my feathered friends yesterday, including these good-looking guys: black and white warbler, cooper's hawk, blue-grey fly-catcher, and palm warbler.

submitted 46 days ago • 1 comment