The online editorial staff comprises Betsy Shirley, Jenna Barnett, Josiah R. Daniels, Mitchell Atencio, Heather Brady, Kierra Bennning, and Zachary Lee.

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Prayer of the Day: Making Change

by the Web Editors 06-27-2013
In a world broken by selfishness, violence, and indifference, we admit feeling powerless to make a change. However, You have promised that all things are possible through your Spirit. Fill us with Hope, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable injustice. Amen.
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Prayer of the Day: Learning

by the Web Editors 06-26-2013
Dear Lord, we are often divided, unloving and inclined to misunderstanding. Make us instead united, loving and open to learning. May your spirit be in us. Amen.
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Voice of the Day: Henri Nouwen

by the Web Editors 06-26-2013
Dear Lord, I will remain restless, tense, and dissatisfied until I can be totally at peace in your house. There is no certainty that my life will be any easier in the years ahead, or that my heart will be any calmer. But there is the certainty that you are waiting for me and will welcome me home when I have persevered in my long journey to your house. - Henri J.M. Nouwen + Sign up to receive our quote of the day via e-mail
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Verse of the Day: Quietness and Trust

by the Web Editors 06-26-2013
Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness abide in the fruitful field. The effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever. - Isaiah 32:16-17 + Sign up to receive our social justice verse of the day via e-mail
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SCOTUS: Key Section of Voting Rights Act Unconstitutional

by the Web Editors 06-25-2013
Supreme Court Building, Cameron Whitman / Shutterstock.com

Supreme Court Building, Cameron Whitman / Shutterstock.com

In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court today struck down a key section of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that targeted states with histories of racial discrimination, saying the formula for choosing the states subject to "preclearance" is "based on 40-year-old data." The court's decision states that Congress can revise the formula under which it decides which jurisdictions are subject to oversight: 

"Our country has changed, and while any racial discrimination in voting is too much, Congress must ensure that the legislation it passes to remedy that problem speaks to current conditions," the decision reads. 

Congress could have updated the coverage formula at that time, but did not do so. Its failure to act leaves us today with no choice but to declare §4(b) unconstitutional. The formula in that section can no longer be used as a basis for subjecting jurisdictions to preclearance.  Our decision in no way affects the permanent, nationwide ban on racial discrimination in voting found in §2.  We issue no holding on §5 itself, only on the coverage  formula. Congress may draft another formula based on  current conditions. … 

Read the full decision HERE.

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Verse of the Day: 'A Stronghold for the Oppressed'

by the Web Editors 06-25-2013
The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you. - Psalm 9:9-10 + Sign up to receive our social justice verse of the day via e-mail
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Prayer of the Day: Governing Authorities

by the Web Editors 06-25-2013
God, we pray for our governing officials making important decisions this week that will affect the future of our country. May they take into account the least of these in their choices. We pray that your kindgom would come and your will would be done here on earth as it is heaven. Amen.
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Voice of the Day: John Wesley

by the Web Editors 06-25-2013
One of the principle rules of religion is to lose no occasion of serving God. And since he is invisible to our eyes, we are to serve him in our neighbor; which he receives as if done to himself in person, standing visibly before us. - John Wesley + Sign up to receive our quote of the day via e-mail
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Voice of the Day: Chief Seattle

by the Web Editors 06-24-2013
Humankind did not weave the web of life. We are but one strand within it. Whatever we do to the web we do to ourselves. - Chief Seattle + Sign up to receive our quote of the day via e-mail
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Verse of the Day: The Generous

by the Web Editors 06-24-2013
Those who are generous are blessed, for they share their bread with the poor. - Proverbs 22:9 + Sign up to receive our social justice verse of the day via e-mail
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Prayer of the Day: 'Singularity of Purpose'

by the Web Editors 06-24-2013
Lord, you have appointed some to be prophets; give us ears to hear and mouths to speak. You have appointed some to sing of your goodness in the streets; make us bold to celebrate you. You have called some to be still, listen, and act; give us steadiness of mind and singularity of purpose. Amen. -From Common Prayer
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Verse of the Day: 'My Name is Great'

by the Web Editors 06-21-2013
For from the rising of the sun to its setting, my name is great among the nations; they burn incense everywhere, they offer to my name pure sacrifices: for my name is great among the nations, says the mighty Lord. (The Antioch Bible) - Malachi 1:11 + Sign up to receive our social justice verse of the day via e-mail
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Prayer of the Day: Climate Change

by the Web Editors 06-21-2013
Lord, we pray for our brothers and sisters who are particularly affected by climate change, for those in developing countries who feel the effects of increased droughts, increased floods, more extreme temperatures, and the political and social instability that accompanies such events. Amen.
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Voice of the Day: Common Prayer

by the Web Editors 06-21-2013
Much of our theology has been so concentrated on heaven that it invalidates any concern for the earth. Some images in Scripture have even been misconstrued to perpetuate a disregard for the creation, such as the image that in the last days the world will be consumed by fire. But nearly every other time the ‘consumed by fire’ image is evoked in Scripture, it is a fire that purifies rather than burns up, a fire that frees up life rather than destroys it. No doubt, the way we live is shaped by how we imagine the end of the world — whether we think God’s final plan is for everything to go up in flames or for everything to be brought back to life. -From Common Prayer - Common Prayer + Sign up to receive our quote of the day via e-mail
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Verse of the Day: 'Wisdom is with the Humble

by the Web Editors 06-20-2013
When pride comes, then comes disgrace; but wisdom is with the humble. - Proverbs 11:2 + Sign up to receive our social justice verse of the day via e-mail
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Voice of the Day: Benedict of Nursia

by the Web Editors 06-20-2013
The first step of humility is to cherish at all times the sense of awe with which we should turn to God. - Saint Benedict of Nursia + Sign up to receive our quote of the day via e-mail
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Prayer of the Day: 'Resurrect Us'

by the Web Editors 06-20-2013
Lord, we know that you will come again in glory to raise the living and the dead. Resurrect us now from the death of comfort, complacency, sloth, and shallowness that we might witness to your love in life and death. Amen. -From Common Prayer
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QUIRK: 'Daily Show' Takes On 'Bullying' of Christians (VIDEO)

by the Web Editors 06-19-2013
Daily Show segment screen shot

Daily Show segment screen shot

Daily Show correspondent Samantha Bee's latest segment for the late-night comedy show took on the perception in some religious circles that Christians are the ones being targeted by the LGBT community. She sits down with pastor and Christian radio-show host Matt Slick to explore his fear of infringement of his religious liberty. 

"At what point has your right to express yourself been infringed upon?" Bee asked in the interview. 

Slick's response: "I don't know if it's going to happen, but I'm concerned about it. I have a radio show. I'm just concerned about any oppression that may come, that people might say, 'Matt, you can say that on the radio, that homosexuality is a sin.'"

Watch the clip below. 
 
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Prayer of the Day: Welcoming

by the Web Editors 06-19-2013
Holy God, we pray to live in such a way that others will know they are always welcomed into the body of Christ. May we be a people who reach upward to you for strength and outward to those who don't yet know you. Amen.
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Verse of the Day: 'Then God Said'

by the Web Editors 06-19-2013
Then God said, 'Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth,and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.' - Genesis 1:26 + Sign up to receive our social justice verse of the day via e-mail
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