December 12, 2025
Dear Church,
This week, we launched a Community Resource Shelf at Grace! This is a resource for the Grace community and our neighbors to use as needed for a stopgap, or to supplement other Dakota County and nonprofit resources. It also has information and tools to help keep ourselves and our neighbors safer amid authoritarianism. As this project develops, we’ll share ways to help support it! But for now, I wanted to give a little roadmap as to what’s available on the shelf this weekend:
First, we have whistles and informational zines about what to do if you see warrantless immigration enforcement.
Then, we have COVID tests and handwarmers, and are in the midst of stocking some basic toiletries.
Finally, this is the home of the bridging bags that we packed and kept at Grace for stopgap food support.
There’s also a suggestion box for things we might stock, and an invitation to leave your name and phone number if you have a specific request that we might be able to help meet.
This shelf is for our whole community, and is a way to directly support each other and our neighbors who stop by looking for support and care. If you or a neighbor needs food, bring them a bag! If you’re concerned about the increase in ICE presence in our state, grab a whistle and informational zine! One of the ways dominant culture distorts community is through the lie of rugged individualism and shame for needing support. But God created us for community – to share food, to share resources, to pray for one another, and to support each other so that all can thrive. This Community Resource Shelf is one way we are living out those covenants of community.
In Christ,
Pastor Reed
Every Friday, we send an email to the congregation and any others who would like to learn more about the Grace community. The last four Friday emails are posted below.