Courage Among Us

“I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation announced its annual “Profile in Courage” awards last week, naming two awardees who were unlikely to land on any other list together: the  Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and the “people of the Twin Cities of Minnesota”.

Caroline Kennedy and her son, Jack Schlossberg, said in their statement about the awards: “This year’s honorees represent the courage of those who serve in all areas of government —and those who believe in it.  Without public servants of integrity committed to maintaining the highest standards of institutional excellence and independence like Chair Powell, and citizens willing to put their lives on the line to hold America to its promises, our democracy can’t survive.  This year we honor the courage of those who didn’t seek elected office but have demonstrated moral courage across our society.”

People of faith in the Twin Cities, including countless United Church of Christ clergy and lay leaders, are among those in the Twin Cities who exhibited the kind of moral courage spotlighted by this award. Day after exhausting day they showed up to protest in the streets, deliver mutual aid, pray and lead vigils, call those in power to accountability, extend mercy, and demand justice. Some practiced civil disobedience and were arrested. Many put their own lives at risk.

People of faith in Minnesota also successfully waged a legal battle against the cruelty of ICE and the denial of pastoral care to detainees.  Last week, a federal judge ordered the Department of Homeland Security to now allow clergy visits at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building in the Twin Cities area, where many detainees continue to be held, ruling that clergy have a religious right to do so. The Minnesota Conference UCC, the Minneapolis Area Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), and Jesuit priest Rev. Christopher Collins were all plaintiffs in the case.

The actions of the people of the Twin Cities and of our United Church of Christ members there are inspiring examples of faith boldly, stubbornly expressed despite the gravest tests of the moment. Across this country, people of faith are urgently being asked to decide what our faith asks of us, how far we will go to embody the ‘love of neighbor’ Jesus commands us to share. We’re being pressed to determine who and what we will ultimately serve, what values will guide us, what we’re willing to sacrifice for the sake of a country and a world where everyone’s dignity is safeguarded and each one’s life is valued.

The “Profile in Courage” awards have been conferred since 1989 on those demonstrating political courage among us, asserting that the strength of our democracy relies on such courage. The strength and relevance of the Church, likewise, relies on spiritual courage, the willingness to counter immense evil and hatred with unwavering and powerful love because our sacred texts and the example of Jesus Christ demand we do no less.

May all of us be profiles in courage, led by the convictions of our faith and accompanied by a God who never leaves us.

The Reverend Shari Prestemon began her service with the national ministries of the United Church of Christ in January 2024. As the Associate General Minister & Co-Executive for Global Ministries she has the privilege of overseeing several teams: Global Ministries, Global H.O.P.E., Public Policy & Advocacy Team (Washington, D.C.), and our staff representative to the United Nations. She previously served as pastor to local UCC congregations in Illinois and Wisconsin; the Executive Director at the UCC’s Back Bay Mission in Biloxi, Mississippi; and as Conference Minister in Minnesota.