Justice and Mercy

​Help New Branches move toward zero waste

Think twice before you toss!
All the products that we use in the Common Ground Café are compostable. You can use the green composting bin to dispose of clear and white cups, plates, bowls, napkins, paper towels, utensils – and of course, food scraps. Our organics compost picked up weekly as part of our expanded environmental commitment.

The better we get at sorting compostables, the less we’ll send to the landfill. Questions or comments? Connect with Robbie Becker, Dorothy Eide, or Michelle Coady who work with the New Branches Property Team.
Rooted in the words from Micah 6:8b
"​​What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God."
We are a congregation that has the heart, hands, feet, and voices to do the work of justice in our community and in our world. 

Our strategic plan includes this direction:
Grounded in the gospel command to “do justice,” create a more inclusive, equitable community. Take action inside our church and out in the world by prioritizing our abundant people and financial resources to make an impact.

What could that look like?
  • Enough Mercy to work for Basic Needs: Housing, Hunger, Health (people and planet)
  • Enough Justice to fight for Human Dignity: Equity - BIPoC Justice (Racial Justice and Indigenous Rights), Inclusion, Education 
  • Enough Humility to walk with a Gracious Spirit.
We make an impact through: education and awareness, direct service, advocacy and organizing, financial support and movement toward meaningful reparations.
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Our Justice and Mercy Team meets monthly to discuss ways to do this work individually and as a congregation.  This team usually meets the first Tuesday of every month, and there is always room for more people who have a passion for justice to be involved.  For more information, we encourage you to email [email protected].

Racial Justice Statement

We … renew our baptismal covenant to strive for justice for all of God’s children. We confess that our cultural bias blocks us from recognizing racial injustice, and that our fear slows our work towards racial equity. We believe that we must identify the inequalities that are embedded in our judicial, educational, economic, and political systems. We also must be resolved to change them, even if it means losing unearned privileges.

We accept God’s call to affirm and celebrate the diversity found in God’s children. We pray that the Holy Spirit will lead us in our continuing work as we listen and engage in conversation challenging the deep roots of racism. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we will be respectful and keep people engaged so that each of our stories may be heard and lead us to a true change of heart. 

Read the full racial justice statement.
Our Justice and Mercy Partners
Social Justice Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Program
​This is an accredited program through Volunteers of America inside the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Stillwater.  It brings together incarcerated men and outside students for a transformational educational experience in spiritual care.  There are opportunities for financial and prayer support.  ​
​Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative 
​A collaborative of congregations united in action to create homes and advance equitable housing.  Opportunities for advocacy, training, item collections
South Minneapolis Meals on Wheels 
​Serving South Minneapolis residents who cannot shop for groceries and have difficulty putting together a healthy meal for themselves.  Opportunities for volunteering, leadership ​
Minnehaha Food Shelf 
​Fighting food insecurity in our Minneapolis neighborhood
Opportunities for volunteering, item collections, leadership
Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light   Working in partnership with faith and spiritual communities to build transformative power and bring the lights of people’s unique gifts to addressing the climate crisis.  Opportunities for advocacy, training
Kubi District Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria!