Enough! What we are witnessing in Minneapolis—and in communities across this nation—is the abuse of federal power masquerading as law enforcement. Armed ICE agents operating with impunity and the use of force in public spaces are not acts of public safety; they are acts that spread fear and erode trust. They are NOT doing their job! Their mandate is to pursue the destructive and dangerous elements of our immigration population.

Instead, they are killing people, including US citizens, and the federal government is lying about it.

They know they are lying. We know they are lying. They know that we know they are lying. They nevertheless expect us to act as if we believe them or they threaten us. They want us to deny what we see with our own eyes.

I am not sharing my feelings, and I am not telling you how to feel. I am simply saying watch the video and trust what you see.

We do this to bear witness and honor Alex Pretti, and to resist the power of a corrupt state telling us not to believe what we see. I end with two quotes.

"The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command."

George Orwell, 1984

The truth shall set you free.

John 8:32

Heresy

Heresy by Peg Heintzelman

Where do we find rescue

when even the hills wear flags of oppression?

How do I undo a lifetime of prayers to Father, Mother, Creator, Yahweh, or Allah?

How do I remove them from my lips?

When you decide that only your heavy-booted Jesus is God.

Gone are his dusty, sandaled feet, gone

The Jesus who was Earth brown

and yet loves this white skin of mine, too.

Your Jesus is white, and he only loves white skin.

Is there room in your kingdom for any of us

Who resists your Jesus?

Space for any who resists for the sake of truth, love or peace.

Is there room for anyone who does not look like you or me, or for anyone who differs in any way?

Will you use the whip of Jesus?

Will you oppose hypocrisy and lies, or will you wrap us in the embrace of the Inquisitor’s arms?

Rock the Week

for

28 January 2026

Building Bridges of

Inclusion, Justice, and Spirituality

No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey,

you are welcome here!

This Sunday at Shadow Rock,

2/1/26

9:00 am

Childcare is in the Blue Room.
Spiritual Play for children ages 3-9 is in the Turquoise Room.
Sunday School for ages 9 -12 begins in the Parlor of the Education Building.
Adult Education is in the Multipurpose Room with the Hospitality Cart with Coffee and Cookies.

10:15 am

Worship in the Sanctuary (childcare is offered in the Blue Room of the Education Bldg., 10 - 11:30 am). We offer closed captioning for people with hearing impairment. Turn closed captioning ON with your device.
Pastor Ken resumes the sermon series, "Preaching the Covenant!" The subject is, "Our task together demands a comprehensive view of life, always pointed intentionally to the future."

11:15 am

Sermon Reboot is ON this Sunday.

1:00 pm

Know Your Rights Immigration Support Group

5:00 pm

Beer Church at North Mountain Brewery at 522 E Dunlap. This is a time for food, fellowship, and discussion.

Congregational Care

Pat Allen died peacefully in the night on January 23, 2026. Her daughter, Debra, said she died wearing her hot pink velour jogging suit and lipstick to match. She went to heaven looking like thefashionista she always was, and heaven is brighter for it. Feel free to send Thinking of You Cards to Debra Burrell.

Coming Soon! Our 2026 Stewardship Campaign!

Living

Our

Values

Every day

The 2026 Stewardship Campaign is coming! Our team has been planning, working, and praying to present us with an opportunity to support our beloved Shadow Rock with our time, money, and talent. Look for the LOVE Campaign!

SPEAKING OF SHADOW ROCK GENEROSITY...

Our Christmas Eve Offering for the Pastor's Charitable Fund was $4,443

Cool Cash Campaign for repair and replacement of air conditioning units; Received through 12/31/2025 $91,875 and Counting!! Update will come soon!

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

For more information check out DESPERADOFILMFESTIVAL.COM

Flyers with more information are available in the church office.

Update Regarding Lily Avila

She went to court on January 28th, but the government created a new wrinkle in her case. Late yesterday (yes, the day before her court appearance), the government changed its intention to send her to a detention center in Honduras. Instead, the government wants to send her to a detention center in Ecuador. Her attorneys are given 10 days to pivot, remake their argument, and submit their argument. This means Lily will languish until she has to appear again on April 14, 2026.

Immigration Justice Work Is Happening! See new articles and links below.

At this point, we are offering the following ministries:

Legal Clinics for Know Your Rights
Financial Assistance for Legal Fees and Living Expenses
Support Group Meetings
Accompaniment
Safe Zone Launch Pad

WE ARE A SAFE SPACE

If you are seeking urgent assistance, a place to go, advice, a legal referral, or anything else, please get in touch with Pastor Ken.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your continued support of our immigration justice ministries. This is one of the ways we advocate for inclusion, equity, and justice for all immigrants living in the United States, regardless of their immigration status. Our hearts have been touched by the friendships we have made through our work for undocumented people. We are truly blessed and promise to continue working towards positive change.

At this point, we are NOT offering the following ministries:

Sanctuary
Asylum Hospitality
Refugee Resettlement

Our next support meeting and legal clinic is scheduled for February 1st at 1:00 PM in the Multipurpose Room. We are also providing a Zoom link for those who prefer to attend via Zoom. All are invited. Please contact Pastor Ken about our important and quiet work.

Today's Immigration News

Leaked Memo Outlines ICE Directive on Warrantless Forced Entry

According to an anonymous whistleblower, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Todd Lyons issued a memo authorizing agents to use force to enter private residences without a judicial warrant, using only an administrative Warrant of Removal Form I-205.

According to the 4th Amendment of the US Constitution, an administrative warrant cannot be used to forcibly enter a third-party residence or to search a residence once entered, and agents must knock and identify themselves before using force to enter a residence. The memo of May 12, 2025, was not widely circulated but sent to high-level officials with instructions to act as if an administrative warrant had the same legal authority as a judicial warrant, which is signed by a judge. The memo recommended disseminating the illegal tactic verbally. The guidance is inconsistent with DHS policy and with the longstanding interpretation of Fourth Amendment constitutional protections. The whistleblowers have asked lawmakers to investigate their claims.

Advocates may continue to advise clients of their constitutional rights, emphasizing the importance of balancing advocacy and physical safety during any enforcement action. Where constitutional violations occur, document issues whenever possible, and consider reporting to local ACLU chapters to seek redress.

Culture: Amanda Gorman Honors Alex Pretti With New Poem | MS Now

Amanda Gorman, the poet who first made headlines during President Biden's inauguration in 2020, has shared a poem honoring the life of Alex Pretti, the 37-year-old ICU nurse killed by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis on Saturday. The poem characterizes Pretti's killing as a "betrayal" and an "execution." "Fear not [those] without papers, but those without conscience," she wrote.