Faith leaders urge unity, end to state shutdown

More than 50 pastors and religious leaders gathered on the steps of the Capitol Tuesday. They delivered a letter signed by more than 235 Minnesota clergy asking legislative leaders and Governor Dayton to “find creative ways to ask those who have done well to make small sacrifices so that we can invest in those who\’ve been hurt most by the economic downturn.” Read the full text.

“We want our governing officials to stop seeing each other as sparring partners” and start finding a solution to the state’s $5 billion budget deficit, said the Rev. Paul Slack of New Creation Church, Brooklyn Park.

“We come together to raise our voices to meet the needs of those who are most vulnerable,” said Rabbi Marcia Zimmerman of Temple Israel in Minneapolis.

The vulnerable include the many people who depend on state public services and those who would be hurt by the Republican “cuts-only” budget, the religious leaders said. In particular, the budget needs to address the fact that people of color in Minnesota lag far behind the majority white population in employment, income, health and a number of other measures.

“People in my church believe we in this state are stuck in a divide between the haves and the have-nots,” said Slack, who is African-American.

Leaders from dozens of faith communities gathered for a news conference Tuesday on the steps of the state Capitol.

Loaves and fishes
Baskets of milk and honey – symbolizing the historically high living standards in Minnesota – and loaves and fishes flanked the faith leaders as they spoke.

The Rev. Don Piché of St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in Maple Grove related the Biblical story in which a handful of bread and fish was turned into a bounty to feed the masses.

“We’re suffering and yet we have so much,” Piché said. “I’m willing to have my taxes raised. Let us give beyond what we think we can.

“Beyond the shutdown, this impasse is an opportunity to show what we believe, to do what we say we believe.”

After speaking, the religious leaders delivered the letter, along with the gifts of loaves, fishes, milk and honey to representatives of the offices of House Speaker Kurt Zellers, Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch and Governor Dayton.

“We reject the framework of scarcity, which pits neighbor against neighbor in competition for limited resources and keeps us isolated and fearful," said the Rev. Grant Stevensen, president of ISAIAH and pastor at St. Matthews Lutheran Church in St. Paul. "We are praying and bearing witness in hope of a miracle – that state leaders will see our common humanity and needs."

Text of the letter from religious leaders to state lawmakers:

Today, we join our voices together at a time of great crisis. This is not primarily a budget crisis. It is not primarily a revenue crisis. It is a moral crisis. Economic downturn, partisan polarization, and a lack of leadership and prophetic imagination stand between us and our moral obligation to protect human dignity and promote human freedom and equity for everyone in our state.

During the time that many of us have served in our congregations, inequality has grown enormously. The vast majority of the people in our pews have seen their incomes stagnate or decline and their responsibility for health and retirement security grow. The racial equity gap in Minnesota is among the worst in the nation. Too many of us have had to rely on credit to make ends meet, credit often offered on unfavorable terms.

In our congregations and communities, we have routinely filled in the gaps that people experience when they cannot earn enough to provide for themselves and their families through direct service. This responsibility has grown disproportionately in the last three decades. It is nearly unsustainable for us. We believe that government, held accountable by its citizens, can do things that no other institution can do to protect the poorest and most vulnerable. Indeed, we have partnered with elected leaders from all parties to pass important public policies to ensure that government upholds this obligation.

Given this, we are disappointed that elected leaders cannot find the resources necessary to ensure that we protect those hurt most in the current economic downturn. The evidence that Minnesota is a state of great abundance is all around us. Profits are up for many Fortune 500 companies in our state. Major banks enjoy record profits. Major employers in our state have billions of dollars in profits and reserves that they have not used to create new or better jobs.

This economic plenty stands in direct contrast to the experiences of our poorest and most vulnerable neighbors. Over 150,000 Minnesotans will lose their homes to foreclosures by the end of next year. Under current legislative proposals, tens of thousands of people would lose health care coverage. Schools would be hurt in their efforts to close the racial equity gap. And transit systems that move people to and from work and other vital resources would be cut dramatically.

Throughout scripture God calls upon those who have more resources to provide opportunity for those who have less. We believe that to whom much is given, much is required. This is not only a faith value; it is a value that every strong society upholds in the belief that our destinies are intertwined.

If we are to practice real leadership in the coming days, we cannot sit idly by and watch some people enjoy remarkable success while others suffer. Minnesotans have a choice to make: pass a budget that protects those who have done well in this economy, and deepen suffering. Or find creative ways to ask those who have done well to make small sacrifices so that we can invest in those who\’ve been hurt most by the economic downturn; communities that have the least jobs, worst education and health, communities that need opportunity and hope most. Because we serve a god of love, abundance and mercy, the choice is clear to us. We call on the Governor and legislative leadership to partner with us in creating one Minnesota.

Signers (as of 7/12/11):

Pastor Michele Abbott, Oak Knoll Lutheran, Minnetonka
Rev Lynn Adwell, Christ Church, Austin
Rabbi Morris Allen, Beth Jacob Congregation
Pastor Roger Allmendinger, Arlington Hills Lutheran, St. Paul
Pastor Mawien Ariik, Sudanese Lutheran Church, Anoka
Pastor Bruce Arnevik, St. Luke\’s Lutheran, Minneapolis
Patoral Associate Anne Attea, Church of the Ascension, Minneapolis
Rev Alfred Babington-Johnson, His Works United/Stairstep Foundation, Minneapolis
Rev Oby Ballinger, Community United Church of Christ, St. Paul Park
Rev Elaine Barbar, Church of Advent, Minnetonka
Pastor Ralph Baumgartner, Galilee Evangelical Lutheran Church, Roseville
Rev Ralph Baumgartner, Galilee Lutheran Church, Roseville
Pastor Christopher Becker, Amazing Grace Lutheran, Inver Grove Heights
Diaconal Minister Laurie Beckman-Yetzer, Woodlake Lutheran Church, Bloomington
Rev Howard Bell, Mayflower, Minneapolis
Pastor Chris Bellefeuille, Valley of Peace, Golden Valley
Ministry Coordinator Jacqueline Belzer, Pueblo de Fe Lutheran Church, West St. Paul
Pastor Alfred Bertke, St. Paul Reformation, Minneapolis
Diaconal Minister Amy Blumenshine, Our Saviour\’s Lutheran Church, Minneapolis
Pastor Phil Boe, St. Paul Reformation, St. Paul
Margaret Bonsack, St. Matthews Lutheran, Roseville
Diane Brennen, Saint Matthews Evangelical Lutheran Church, St. Paul
Asscociate in Ministry Barbara Brown, Central Minneapolis, Brooklyn Park
Rev Deborah Brown, St. Mary\’s, Eagan
Rev Michael Byron, St. Paul, St. Paul
Pastora Luisa Caballo Hansel, St. Paul\’s Lutheran, Minneapolis
Pastor Patrick Cabello Hansel, St. Paul\’s Lutheran, Minneapolis
Rev Sarah Campbell, Mayflower, Minneapolis
Rev Karn Carroll, Our Saviour\’s Lutheran Church, Circle Pines
Pastor Isis Carther, True Love Church MOA, Minneapolis
Parochial Vicar James Cassidy, St. Joan of Arc, Minneapolis
Pastor Kelly Chatman, Redeemer Lutheran Church, Minneapolis
Rev. Dr. Diane Christopherson, Mayflower, Minneapolis
Rev Catrina Ciccone, Salem English Lutheran, Minneapolis
Rabbi Norman Cohen, Bet Shalom
Rev Stephen Cook, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, St. Cloud
Pastor Jeff Cowmeadow, Calvary Baptist, Minneapolis
Vicar Caleb Crainer, Redeemer Lutheran Church, Minneapolis
Pastor Joseph Crippen, Mount Olive Lutheran Church, Minneapolis
Brother, TOR Anthony Criscitelli, Church of St. Bridget, Minneapolis
Rev Lee Cunningham, Messiah Lutheran Church, Minneapolis
Rabbi Alexander Davis, Beth El Synagogue
Rev Susan Debner, Nokomis Heights ELCA, Minneapolis
Pastor James DeBruycker, St. Joan of Arc, Minneapolis
Rev Sandy Dodson, Mayflower, St. Paul
Pastor Gary Drier, Christ Lutheran on Capitol Hill, St. Paul
Rev. Laurie Eaton, Our Saviour\’s Lutheran Church, Minneapolis
Pastor Julie Ebbesen, St. Peders Evangelical Lutheran Church, Minneapolis
Rev. Dr. Mariann Edgar, St. Johns Episcopal, Minneapolis
Sister Katherine Egan, Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, St. Paul
Rabbi Amy Eilberg, Jay Philips Center for Interfaith Learning, Mendota Heights
Rev Paul Erickson, St. Paul Area Synod ELCA , St. Paul
Pastor James Erlandson, Lutheran Church of Redeemer, St. Paul
Rev Chad Erlenborn, Maple Grove Covenant Church, Maple Grove
Sr Sue Ernster, Church of St. Richard, Richfield
Professor Marie Failinger, Lutheran Church of Redeemer, St. Paul
Rev. Dr. Eilzar Fernandez, Mayflower UCC, Fridley
Pastor Todd Finney, Prior Lake
Pastor Drew Flathmann, Lake Nokomis Lutheran Church, Minneapolis
Rev Bonnie Forsman, Chaplain, Episcopal Church Homes, Eagan
Rev. Brad Froslee, Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church, Minneapolis
The Rev. Dr. Robert Furniss, St. Anne\’s Episcopal Church, Sunfish Lake Woodbury
Rev. Beth Gaede, Mount Olive Lutheran Church, Minneapolis, Hudson, WI
Commissioned Minister for Spiritual Direction Diane Gardner, Mayflower UCC, Edina
Pastor Daniel Garnaas, Grace University Lutheran Church, Minneapolis
Pastor Stacey Gassman, First Congregational Church of MN, Minneapolis
Pastoral Administrator Joan Gecik, Lumen Christi, Richfield
Rabbi Sim Glaser, Temple Israel, Minneapolis
Marilyn Gleason, Crystal
Pastor Henry Gunnink, Grace Christian Reformed Church, Inver Grove Heights
Rev. Dr. Donald Hadfield, Mayflower Community Congregational UCC, Lakeville
Rev Kacey Hahn, Christ the King, Bloomington
Pastor Delwayne Hahn, Siloa Evangelical Lutheran, Stanchfield
Rev. Perry Hanson, St. Anthony Park Lutheran, St. Paul
Pastor Mark Hellmann, Grace Lutheran Church, Andover
Rev. Abigail Henderson, First Congregational Church of MN, Minneapolis
Rev Jane L. (Bonnie) Holt, Cathedral of Our Merciful Savior, Cannon Falls
Rev Judy Hoover, Church of Ephiphany, Plymouth, Golden Valley
Pastor Hattie Horne, True Love Church MOA, Minneapolis
Rev Barbara Hosmer, St. Johns Lutheran Church, Mound
Rev Deborah Hutterer, Faith in the City, St. Paul
Maya Ignabode, Brooklyn Center
Rev Kathleen Itzin, Parkway UCC, Minneapolis
Rev Marlene Jacobs, St. Paul\’s Episcopal Church, Minneapolis
Pastor Thomas Jenkins, Atonement Lutheran, New Brighton
Pastor Marque Jensen, Sanctuary cdc, Minneapolis
Rev Fred Jensen, Shepherd of Hills, Minnetonka
Rev Dennis Johnson, Minneapolis
Carla Johnson, Lutheran Church of Redeemer, St. Paul
Rev Randy Johnson, First United Methodist Church, St. Cloud
Rev Dr Johannas Jordan, St. Bartholomew\’s Bemidji, Bemidji
Rev Kevin Kenney , Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Paul
Brother, TOR John Kerr
Rev. Dr. Jin Kim Church of All Nations, Columbia Heights
Rev Christopher Kinney, Amazing Grace Lutheran, Oakdale
Sister Lucy Knoll, Sisters of St. Joseph, Minneapolis
Rev Linda Koelman, North UMC, Minneapolis
Rabbi Harold Kravitz, Adath Jeshurun
Rev Phyllis Kunz, St. Peters, Brainerd
Youth Parish Intern Kye Kyung, Church of All Nations, Columbia Heights
Senior Pastor Dodd Lamberton, Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church, Minneapolis
Rev Dean Larson, Lake Nokomis Lutheran Church, Burnsville
Rabbi Michael Latz, Shir Tikvah
Rev Hans Lee, Christ the King Lutheran, Minneapolis
Rev. Dr. David Lindblom, St. Barnabas Lutheran Church, Plymouth
Co-Pastor Jan Linn, Spirit of Joy, Lakeville
Co-pastor Joy Linn, Spirit of Joy Christian Church, Apple Valley
Rabbi David Locketz, Bet Shalom
Dr. Charles Lutz, Lutheran Church of Christ the Redeemer, Minneapolis
Rev Roger Mackey, St. Paul Reformation, St. Paul
Pastor Michael MacMillan, In Between Congregations, Richfield
Director Peace and Justice Ministry Julie Madden, St. Joan of Arc, Minneapolis
Rev. Marta Maddy, St. Johns Episcopal, Eveleth; St. James Episcopal, Hibbing, Duluth
Kathryn Mao, North Emmanuel Lutheran, St. Paul
Lay Leader Peter Marincel, Spirit of Truth Faith Community, St. Paul
Rev Patrick Markie, St. Anne\’s Episcopal Church, Sunfish Lake
Susan Marsh Joyce, United Methodist Church, Minneapolis
Pastor Judith Mattison, Calvary Lutheran Church, Edina
Rev Scott Maxwell, Atonement Lutheran, Bloomington
Rev Jane McBride, First Congregational Church of MN, Minneapolis
Rev David McCauley, St. Paul
Pastor Jim McGowan, St. Paul Reformation, St. Paul
Rev Rex McKee, St. Mary\’s Episcopal Church, St. Louis Park
Ms. Catol McKitrick, Episcopal Church of Our Merciful Saviour, Cannon Falls
Sister Joan Mitchell, Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, St. Paul
Rev Michael Moses, St. Matthews Chatfield
Rev Susan Moss, Episcopal Church in MN, St. Paul
Rev Barbara Mraz, St. John the Evangelist, St. Paul
Rev Cindy Mueller, First United Church of Christ, Northfield
Rev. Dr. Brian Mundt, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Minneapolis
Rev Allen Negstad, Grace University Lutheran, Minneapolis
Pastor Karsten Nelson, Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Mahtomedi
Rev Katie Nelson, Lyngblomsten, St. Paul
Rev John Nelson, Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Hopkins
Lay Leader Myrna Nelson, Lutheran Church of Redeemer, St. Paul
Rev Carl Nielsen, Arlington Hills UMC, Maplewood
Rev Dr Dana Nissen, Oak Grove Lutheran Church, Edina
Deacon Kevin O\’Connor, St Joseph the Worker Catholic Church, Plymouth
Sister Colleen O\’Malley, CSJ Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, Minneapolis
Joyce O\’Meara, Spirit of St. Stephens, Minneapolis
Pastor Shonda Ofili, God be Lifted Up Church, St. Paul
Senior Pastor Dennis Oglesby, Park Avenue United Methodist, Minneapolis
Rabbi Avi Olitzky, Beth El Synagogue
Pastor Rolf Olson, Richfield Lutheran Church, Minneapolis
Pastor Keith Olstad, St. Paul Reformation, Minneapolis
Chaplain Debra Ost, Allina Hospice, Mendota
Rev Ginny Padzieski, Calvary Episcopal Church, Rochester
Rev. Theo Park, Christ Episcopal Church, Red Wing
Rev Roger Parks, Alexandria United Methodist, Clitherall
Pastor Craig Pederson, Northeast Community Lutheran Church, Minneapolis
Rev. Bruce Pederson, Our Saviour\’s Lutheran Church, Minneapolis
Pastor Wayne Peterson, St. Barnabas Lutheran Church, Plymouth
Rev Cindy Peterson-Wlonsinski, St. Andrew\’s by the Lake Episcopal Church, Duluth
Rev Gretchen Pickeral, Episcopal Church MN, Brainard
Rev Blair Pogue, St Matthews Episcopal Church of St. Paul, Shoreview
Pastor Lee Ann Pomrenke, River of Life Lutheran, Minneapolis
Pastor Ronald Prasek, World of Peace Lutheran, Maple Grove
Sister Carolyn Puccio, Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, St. Paul
Rev Mary Ramos, Amplatz Children\’s Hospital, St. Paul
Rev Jan Redman, First UMC, Redwood Falls
Rev Dana Reynolds Michael, Servetus Unitarian Church, Fridley
Rev Gloria Roach, Thomas Camphor Memorial United Methodist Church, St. Paul
Rev Diana Rogers, St. Paul\’s Episcopal Church, Minneapolis
Sister Catherine Rosengren, Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, St. Paul
Pastor Diane Roth, Woodlake, Richfield
Ms. Mary Joan Rourke, St. Odilia Shoreville, Roseville
Rev Virginia Royalty, St. Clement\’s Episcopal Church, St. Paul
Rabbi Yonatan Sadoff, Adath Jeshurun
Pastor Carrie Scheller, Trinity Lutheran Church, Long Lake
Pastor Joetta Schlaback, Faith Mennonite Church, Minneapolis
Rev Carolyn Schmidt , San Jose Obrero, Montgomery
Executive Director ISAIAH Doran Schrantz, St. Matthews Lutheran, Minneapolis
Rev Richard Seaver, Falcon Heights UCC, St. Paul
Pastor Dwight Seawood, Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, Minneapolis
Rev. Katherine Sedwick, Saint Luke\’s Episcopal Church, Minneapolis
Rev Richard Sellers, Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis
Rev. Dr. Karen Smith Sellers, Minnesota Conference UCC, Minneapolis
Rev Peter Sethre, Our Saviour\’s Lutheran Church, Circle Pines
O C P Jane Sevald, Chrurch of Spiritual Humanism, St. Paul
Rabbi Alan Shavit-Lonstein, Temple of Aaron
Sister Ann Sherlock, Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, Minneapolis
Minister Laurie Skau, St. Paul Reformation, Minneapolis
Pastor Paul Slack, New Creation Church, Brooklyn Park
Rev Carol Smith, St. Columbia & Breck Memorial, White Earth
Mrs. Roxanne Smith, St. Joseph the Worker, Champlin
Pastor Lee Snook, St. Paul Reformation, St. Paul
Dave Snyder, Shir Tikvah, Minneapolis
Pastor David Solberg, Gustavus Adolphus, Minnestrista
Rabbi Adam Spliker, Mount Zion Temple, St. Paul
Rev Pam Stalheim, Lane Faith-Lilac Way, Robbinsdale
Rev Deb Stehlin, Light of the World Lutheran Church, Apple Valley
Rev Karen Stevensen, St. Matthews Lutheran, St. Paul
Rev Grant Stevensen, St. Matthews, St. Paul
Pastor Tom Stutelberg, East Union Lutheran Church, Carver
Sister Becky Swanson, St. Anthony Park Lutheran, Minneapolis
Rev Stephan Sylvester, Our Saviour\’s Lutheran Church ELCA, Lino Lakes
Pastor Wes Syverson, Spirit of Christ, Plymouth
Ms. Shirley Teig, Central Lutheran Church, Medina
Rev. Dr. Mons Teig, Central Lutheran, Medina
Pastor James Thomas, Mt. Olivet Baptist, St. Paul
Pastor Lee Thoni, Westwood Lutheran, Medina
Rev Susan Thornton, Mayflower, Minneapolis
Rev. Paul Tidemann, Gloria Dei Lutheran, St. Paul
Rev Michael Tippett, Saint Paul\’s Episcopal Church, Owatonna
Rabbi Adam Titcher, Adath Jeshurun, Minnetonka
Rev Michelle Tonozzi, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of St. Cloud, St. Paul
Justice Coordinator Joanne Tromiczak-Neid, Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, St. Paul
Associate Minister Kathleen Tucker, First Universalist Church, Minneapolis
Deacon Carl Valdez, Incarnation-Sagrado Corazon de Jesus, Minneapolis
Pastor Jason Van Hunnik, Westwood Lutheran Church, St. Louis Park
Rev Judith VanOsdol, El Milagro/The Miracle Lutheran Church/ELCA, Minneapolis
Rev Lois Vetvick, Mayflower UCC, Minneapolis
Pastor Thomas von Fischer, Grace University Lutheran Church, Minneapolis
Rev Rebecca von Fischer , Minneapolis
Rev Richard Wagner, Robbinsdale UCC, St Louis Park
Rev David Wangaard, Trinity Lutheran, Detroit Lakes
Rev LeeAnn Watkins, St. Mary\’s Episcopal Church, St. Paul
Beverly Webb, UU Fellowship, St. Cloud, Sartell
Interim Pastor Mark Wegener, Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church, Richfield
Pastor Christine Wehrman, Prospect Park United Methodist Church, St. Louis Park
Connie Weigel, First Lutheran, St. Paul, Maplewood
Rev. Joseph Weiss, St. Thomas More Catholic Church, St. Paul
Parishoner Bernadette Welter, St. Thomas More Catholic Church, St.Paul
Rev Larry Weston, NuWay Missionary Baptist Church, Sartell
Rev Letha Wilson-Barnard, Holy Apostles Episcopal, St. Paul
Coordinator of Social Justice Jason Wittak, Parish Community of St. Joseph, Maple Grove
Joan Wittman, St. Paul
Rev. Vicki Wunsch, Mayflower UCC, Minneapolis
Rev John Young, New Faith MBC, Burnsville
Rev James Young, Christ Episcopal Church, Northfield
Rev Carol Zaagsma, Epworth and Wheelock Parkway United Methodist Church, Saint Paul
Rev. Jonathan Zielske, Hope Lutheran Church, St. Paul
Rabbi Marcia Zimmmerman, Temple Israel, Minneapolis
Rev Marianne Zitzewitz, Mt Hermon Lutheran Church, St. Cloud

Additional signatures are being gathered at this website.