This week’s blog contains images from Lisa Rodriguez-Watson’s recent trip to the Holy Land. These images were taken in Bethlehem on the separation wall between the West Bank and Israel. As we observe Holy Week, these images and corresponding prayers can serve as reminder of the purpose of the [...]Read More
Lenten Immerse: Hope
Spring - she’s the audacious, extravagant sister of all the seasons. Breaking through death, she burgeons in both vibrant and pastel hues, and her flowers emanate abundant fragrance. Source: https://fineartamerica.com/featured/big-sprout-kristen-cothron.html The sights, the smells and [...]Read More
Lenten Immerse: Silence
Silence can be an uncomfortable experience. It might feel awkward in a group setting. It can indicate tension in a relationship. However, silence can also be healthy - even necessary. Kitaieva Iryna, Ukraine SILENCE 11 (2018) Painting (70x50x2 cm) Lent, a 40 day period of [...]Read More
Lenten Immerse: Humility
Humility can seem like such a paradox: we are expected to give our best, while practicing freedom from praising ourselves. This can seem like an elusive task at times, especially in our American culture of self reliance and competition for perfection. Source: [...]Read More
Lenten Immerse: Self Examination
Not to Be Reproduced by René Magritte Life’s distractions have a way of steering us away from our true selves as intended by Christ. In our non-stop culture we desperately need Lent, a season meant to reset our perspectives and practices. Even when busy-ness binds our souls, Lent positions [...]Read More
Lenten Immerse: Lament
Over the course of the next 6 weeks of Lent, CCDA is inviting you into a Lenten journey. Each week we will suggest a new spiritual discipline for you, your small group, or church to practice. Excerpts from our Immerse online curriculum will be highlighted to prompt your thoughts and lead [...]Read More
Left Out: The Redevelopment of Cabrini Green
By Daniel Walker I recently took a tour through the old Cabrini Green area in Chicago. This once infamous low-income housing project has now vanished. Today, the area is completely gentrified with high-priced condos, beautiful parks and thriving restaurants and shops. Seeing the new community [...]Read More
The Church’s Role in Mass Incarceration
by Dominique Gilliard This week is Christian Community Development Association’s (CCDA) national awareness and action week to engage mass incarceration, a time where we call our members to consider what a faithful response to mass incarceration entails. Locked in Solidarity has always been about [...]Read More