Midweek Message January 22, 2026

Beloveds, 

   This is a picture of the tattoo I have on my arm which serves as a reminder of some of the final words from the Rev. Norbert Capek as he wrote to his daughter while facing sentencing during WW2. His letter expressed his utter lack of regret at having defied the Nazis by continuing to keep his congregation abreast of the war news and defending the inherent worth and dignity of all people frequently and loudly from his Unitarian pulpit in Czechoslovakia. I read it when I need to feel grounded in the prophetic bravery and ministry of our faith.

The excerpt from the letter reads: 

It is worthwhile to live and fight courageously for sacred ideals. 

Oh blow ye evil winds into my body’s fire; my soul you’ll never unravel. 

Even though disappointed a thousand times or fallen in the fight and everything would worthless seem, 

I have lived amidst eternity. 

Be grateful, my soul, 

My life was worth living. 

He who was pressed from all sides but remained victorious in spirit is welcomed into the choir of heroes. 

He who overcame the fetters giving wing to the mind is entering into the golden age of the victorious.

As you read this I am in Minneapolis answering the call made by organizers on the ground there for clergy across the country, of all faiths, to show up and “fight courageously for sacred ideals.”

I am grateful that I have the funds, the childcare, the physical means, and the support of this congregation to make the trip. (A big thank you to Rev. Laurel and Rev. Jennifer who lent this southern-born girl their cold-weather clothes!)

 I am grateful too for the trainers who will spend all day on Thursday with us and also for the opportunity to live our Unitarian Universalist values out during the day of action planned on Friday. It is my hope that our being there will initiate a much-desired shift towards a de-escalation of DHS agents’ violence, overt racism, and lawlessness. 

Not everyone was called to show up in this way. And for those wondering what they can do to support the work going on there from home, I ask you to remember firstly that you are the reason I can show up when called. Thank you for continuing to create a beautiful spiritual community that serves as a beacon of hope and as fuel to the resistance. 

I will be so bold as to ask you to take the time today and especially tomorrow (Friday) to light a candle, say a prayer, sing a song, or whisper a hope for both the safety of the clergy showing up and for the safety of those experiencing this crisis each day as they must continue to fight for the future of their beloved city of Minneapolis.

Yes. This request includes the hope of safety for DHS/ICE agents, police, and military. May we all say a prayer that they have a change of heart, that they have the courage to change their relationship to unlawful executive orders, and to divest themselves from their unhealthy use of power. 

For additional ways to help Minnesota, please visit this incredible resource. https://www.standwithminnesota.com which has a list of vetted organizations you can donate to. 

All my love, 

Rev. Charlotte