"Christ is Risen" is indeed offensive to the National Federation of Federal Employees

From Fox News,

Federal employees are suing the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Secretary Brooke Rollins, accusing the Trump official of "Christian proselytizing" after she sent department emails on Christmas and Easter with religious messages.

The complaint, brought by the National Federation of Federal Employees and seven USDA employees, accuses Rollins of "sending increasingly proselytizing communications to the entire USDA workforce, promoting her own preferred brand of Christian beliefs and theology to the captive audience of employees that report to her," since becoming head of the government agency in February 2025.

In the complaint, the plaintiffs say Rollins sent emails to all USDA employees on national and religious holidays, most overtly on Easter, with Christian language.

The Easter message sent by Rollins reportedly said, in part, "Happy Easter – He is Risen indeed! Today we celebrate the greatest story ever told, the foundation of our faith, and the abiding hope of all mankind." A drawing of an empty tomb with the words "Christ is Risen" was in the same email, according to the complaint.

This email was part of a broader pattern of religious messages sent on other holidays, the complaint alleges, starting with an email on July 4 that included the line, "May God continue to protect the United States of America and may His favor shine over all her land."

Rollins also sent a video message before Christmas that referred to Jesus as "our Savior," according to the complaint.

The plaintiffs, who include employees of various faith backgrounds as well as nonreligious employees, say the emails amount to "coercion, religious sermonizing and denominational preference" that leaves them feeling "excluded and unwelcome" in the workplace.

The plaintiffs argue the emails constitute an ongoing practice and policy that violates the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause and the Administrative Procedure Act. They are asking the court to declare these "proselytizing religious communications" unlawful and stop Rollins or other USDA officials from sending similar messages.

The complaint was filed May 13 in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Americans United for Separation of Church and State, Democracy Forward and Bryan Schwartz Law, P.C., are representing the union and USDA employees in the complaint, which names Rollins and the USDA as defendants.

While I do not think that these messages violate the Establishment clause, I predict a long, drawn out process before the case is finally decided. 

I pray that Secretary Rollins remains standing firm in her faith, and that Jesus will be her advocate in these earthly matters. 

Let us all remember the following, 

1. 1 Corinthians 1:18 – “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”

2. Galatians 5:11 – “And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.”

3. Matthew 11:6 – “And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.”

4. 1 Peter 2:8 – “And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.”

5. Romans 9:33 – “As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.”

6. 1 Corinthians 1:23 – “But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness.”

7. Romans 1:16 – “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”

8. 2 Corinthians 2:15-16 – “For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?”

9. 2 Timothy 3:12 – “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”

10. John 15:18 – “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.”

11. Acts 4:12 – “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

12. Matthew 10:22 – “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.”

Pentecost

This Sunday we remember the day of Pentecost and hear the story as told in Acts 2:1-21,

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

 Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, ‘Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.’ All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, ‘What does this mean?’ But others sneered and said, ‘They are filled with new wine.’

 But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them: ‘Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

 “In the last days it will be, God declares,

that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,

   and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

and your young men shall see visions,

   and your old men shall dream dreams.

 Even upon my slaves, both men and women,

   in those days I will pour out my Spirit;

     and they shall prophesy.

 And I will show portents in the heaven above

   and signs on the earth below,

     blood, and fire, and smoky mist.

The sun shall be turned to darkness

   and the moon to blood,

     before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day.

 Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Don't hurt your back if you are visiting Canada

The Canadian healthcare system continues to provide us with examples of what we should not do in the United States. 

From the Christian Broadcasting Network,  

Canadian citizens are expressing outrage after a woman who was seeking medical attention for back pain was offered euthanasia before she was ever diagnosed. Now, a member of Parliament is citing the story of Miriam Lancaster as proof that Canada needs to stop expanding its euthanasia program.

Miriam told her story in a social media video as well as in a post on The Free Press called, "Never Kill Yourself: When I went to the doctor in Vancouver with back pain, she offered me assisted suicide; instead, I recovered—and went to Cuba!"

It started a year ago when Miriam woke up with back pain and went to the hospital. Before testing her or diagnosing her condition, the hospital staff immediately offered to help her kill herself.

"I was approached by a lady doctor who, the first words out of her mouth were, 'We'd like to offer you MAID,'" Miriam recalls. MAiD stands for Medical Assistance in Dying.

Miriam was 83 and in a lot of pain, but was strong enough to say no to the doctor-assisted suicide. She was able to fight for the treatment she needed. Now she has recovered and was even able to celebrate her daughter's wedding, go traveling, and ride a horse, all within a year of being offered MAiD.

I have seen many cases of people who woke up with back pain and presented to the hospital because the pain was so severe. Some of these people had kidney stones, some had cancer, some had compression fractures, and a few popped up with shingles in a day or so. To offer MAid before testing or making a diagnosis is what you get in a state run system.

Don't hurt your back in Canada! 

 

The Ascension

 For those who missed the Feast of the Ascension this week, you had a make up day this Sunday when Acts 1:6-14 was read.

So when they had come together, they asked him, ‘Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?’ He replied, ‘It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’ When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up towards heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up towards heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.’

 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey away. When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying, Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.

 Yep, after seeing that wouldn't you devote yourself to praying constantly?

Why Can't We All Be Friends?

Jesus commands us to love our enemies. History has shown that this is one of the more difficult things do which leads me to ponder the problem of antisemitism. 

Antisemitism is nothing new, so you would think that we had all the reasons for it figured out by now and would have come up with working solutions for the problem.

First you have to be able to recognize it as a problem which is impossible if you are taught antisemitism as part of your religion. 

Christianity seems to have solved their issues for the most part, but when it comes to Islam, antisemitism will never, never go away because it is built in to their texts. Just read the quotes in this article from Christian Concern.

Given the systematic antisemitism in Islam, it amazed me that exit polling in New York City's recent mayoral election showed that 33% of Jewish voters chose Zohran Mamdani. 

Would they have voted for a charismatic Klansman?

You can't fix stupid.

So, will there ever be peace in the Middle East? I think not until the second coming of Christ.

Will we ever be one big happy family?

Tom Lehrer put it best when he lampooned "National Brotherhood Week" way back when.

 

[Verse 1] 

Oh, the white folks hate the black folks

And the black folks hate the white folks

To hate all but the right folks

Is an old established rule (But during)

National Brotherhood Week, National Brotherhood Week

Lena Horne and Sheriff Clark are dancing cheek to cheek

It's fun to eulogize the people you despise

As long you don't let them in your school

[Verse 2]

Oh, the poor folks, hate the rich folks

And the rich folks hate the poor folks

All of my folks hate all of your folks

It's American as apple pie (But during)

National Brotherhood Week, National Brotherhood Week

New Yorkers love the Puerto Ricans cause it's very chic

Step up and shake the hand of someone you can't stand

You can tolerate him if you try

[Verse 3]

Oh the Protestants hate the Catholics

And the Catholics hate the Protestants

And the Hindus hate the Muslims

And everybody hates the Jews (But during)

National Brotherhood Week, National Brotherhood Week

It's National Everyone-Smile-At-One-Another-Hood Week

Be nice to people who are inferior to you

It's only for a week so have no fear

Be grateful that it doesn't last all year

 This Sunday's reading from John 14 was used by Thomas Tallis in the following anthem, "If ye love me" composed in 1565, and was part of our repertoire.

Enjoy.

Wales, Wales, where the Gospel goes to die

I have been following the slow demise of the Church in Wales (CiW) for several years now. It seems that the CiW has been in a race to the bottom with the Episcopalians, the Church of England, and the Anglican Church of Canada. The current Archbishop of the CiW is a partnered lesbian. The following news is therefore not a surprise.

From Premier Christian News,  

The Church in Wales Governing Body has voted to make permanent provision for church blessings for couples in same-sex civil marriages and civil partnerships.

The decision follows a five-year experimental period and was approved by the required two-thirds majority across bishops, clergy and laity at a meeting in Llandudno.

Speaking after the vote, Most Rev Cherry Vann, Archbishop of Wales, who is in a same-sex relationship, told Premier Christian News she was happy with both the decision and the tone of the debate.

She said: “I’m very pleased at the way the debate panned out… it was done very respectfully… it was Christ-like, the way I would hope Christians would be able to speak to one another despite their differences.”

On the decision itself, she added: “It seemed to many of us that it would be ungenerous to take that offer [same-sex blessings] away from those for whom it had been important, and indeed a lifeline.”

The archbishop said only around 10 same-sex blessings have taken place in the province since it was allowed in 2021. 

There is a conscience clause in the legislation, providing "security and protection" for clergy who don't agree with taking services of blessing for same-sex couples.

The decision comes after scathing criticism from conservative Anglican group GAFCON, which last year said the election of Cherry Vann as Archbishop “shatters the communion” and called it a departure from Anglican orthodoxy.

Responding to wider disagreement within the Anglican Communion on issues of sexuality and marriage, Archbishop Cherry said provinces are in “very different places and very different contexts”, adding that each must decide its own position on issues relating to human life and community.

“We respect those for whom this is bad news,” she said, “but we graciously ask them to accept that here in Wales the Governing Body has taken a different view”.

On whether the move signals a step towards same-sex marriage, she said there are “very different views” within the Church, with some who supported blessings finding further change “difficult”. Consultation will continue ahead of possible proposals in 2027.

On her personal view of same-sex marriage, she said: “I have to be careful not to confuse my role… with my own personal opinion. I’m ambivalent on the matter.” She added that she and her partner do not feel “diminished” by not being able to marry in church.

Reflecting on her wider prayer for the Church on the issue, Archbishop Cherry said: “That we will learn to see ourselves as members of the Body of Christ, whatever our views… our unity is held in Christ.”

She added: “We don’t agree on this, but we are Christians… called to work together as the Body of Christ for the sake of the world.”

Earlier this year, the Church of England paused its formal Living in Love and Faith process on introducing standalone blessing services for same-sex couples, deferring any final decision.

However, prayers of dedication, thanksgiving or blessing for same-sex couples within regular church services, are permitted. 

 Alas poor Wales, where the Gospel goes to die.