Vernon Came Back.

When confronted by a panhandler on the street or even on your own doorstep — what does the LORD require? Shane Bertou, a husband, father, writer, blogger and would-be pastor from Rochester, NY shares with us one such story. Read on and be challenged to consider your own choices and share your own experiences…
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Park Community Church faces the history and future of Cabrini Green.

When standing on the site of Park Community Church’s new building the view is certainly breathtaking. Under the Chicago skyline you are lined on one side of the street by brand new half-million dollar town homes, and on the other by public housing projects slated for renovation. The stark contrasts of the rapidly changing neighborhood are striking. New development aside, the neighborhood will be “mixed income” to say the least — Park’s new home is literally and metaphorically in the shadow of the infamous Cabrini projects. Read on for an introduction to the history and future of Cabrini Green…¦

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The Jena 6 and “stealth” racism in the U.S.

What do three nooses hung from a tree in response to a black student sitting in its “whites only” shade say about racism in America? Volumes. Today over 20,000 people from all 50 states marched on Jena, LA. This is an issue that everyone needs be familiar with.

The incident one year ago and the events following came to boiling point as six black students found themselves facing life in prison for beating a white student in retaliation. Now the trials begin, lines are being drawn, movements are forming all over the web and in towns across the country, and tensions are high in Jena, LA as we once again must struggle with our shared history of racism in America.

The situation is much more layered and complex than you might garner from the nightly news. Rather that trying to recap all the details here it would be best to review the growing Wikipedia article on the Jena 6 here.

Were the nooses merely a “tasteless prank?’ Was the beating nothing more than a “school yard fight?” Does this prove racism and bias in the justice system is still alive and strong in the US?

Of course the media is weighing in on every channel. Here are a couple of clips to bring you up to speed.

A”Free the Jena 6″ campaign is building support online, you can learn more and sign their petition here.

When three nooses are hung from a tree — what does the LORD require?