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Today is Monday, Dec. 16, 35 days before Inauguration Day. With Christmas quickly approaching, we offer our “Deep Breaths” spiritual resources at the start of the newsletter today, which focuses on the theme of joy during this third week of Advent. On the news front, we report on some hopeful developments on diversity, equity, and inclusion in Connecticut; progress in efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions from cars in California and beyond; and highlight President-elect Donald Trump’s problematic nomination to lead the Civil Rights Division at the Department of Justice. We also offer an opportunity to attend an international online Advent vigil for peace in the Middle East and a reminder to urge the Senate to use its power to scrutinize the incoming administration’s nominees. As we move into this week, remember that there can be great joy in the struggle for social justice.

— Rev. Adam Taylor and Rev. Moya Harris, Sojourners

Deep Breaths

Advent readings for today: Isaiah 11:1-9; Numbers 16:1-19; Hebrews 13:7-17

The end of the year can be difficult for many of us, as memories of pain and sadness can make the holiday season hard to navigate. It’s easy to fall into a pattern of grieving so deeply that it blocks our ability to experience joy. Yet, this season of anticipation offers us an alternative to a hollow joy rooted in consumerism. In an Advent-way-of-knowing, we remember that joy doesn’t come from things — it comes from the very embodiment of God: Emmanuel, God with us. God’s joy is not circumstantial; it must be noticed, even when it is cloaked in the quotidian, ordinary moments of life. So, take time to rejoice in a non-materialistic, non-situational way, even when the world seems to give us every reason not to. As Philippians 4:4-7 reminds us, we have permission to rejoice.

And while you’re reflecting, don’t forget to check out this week’s Christmas playlist — it’s curated to keep you lifted.

— Rev. Moya Harris, Director of Racial Justice, Sojourners

P.S. You can access previous Truth and Action Roundup playlists here.

In the News

Here’s what we know at the time of writing:

1) In response to the backlash against diversity, equity, and inclusion in recent U.S. politics, last Thursday Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont unveiled his choice of Mariana Monteiro to be the first leader of Connecticut’s new Office of Equity and Opportunity. “I don’t think you have a real meritocracy unless you do outreach,” the governor explained. The new office will focus on making sure “everybody, regardless of background, knows that they have an opportunity to serve this state.” Connecticut’s move runs against the recent national grain, with about 20 states passing laws that ban or restrict DEI efforts in state governments and state universities.

2) In a win for climate protections, the Environmental Protection Agency will allow the state of California to implement its plan to ban sales of new gasoline-powered cars by 2035. Trump’s incoming administration may attempt to reverse the decision, but those efforts could run into significant legal obstacles. More than a dozen other states follow California’s stricter emissions rules. Collectively, the states following the California standard (including California) account for about 40% of the U.S. auto market. Public health advocates estimate the new rule could cut smog-causing pollution by 25% by 2037.

3) Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, Harmeet K. Dhillon, is a staunch Trump loyalist who has “championed right-wing campaigns against diversity initiatives, transgender rights and COVID-19 lockdown policies,” according to Salon. She also served as a legal advisor to the Trump campaign in 2020, promulgating the falsehood that the 2020 election was stolen as recently as October of this year. The heads of the NAACP and the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights have both expressed significant concerns about her nomination to head the Civil Rights Division at the Justice Department, which was founded during Reconstruction in 1870 to protect the newly-enshrined voting rights of Black Americans.

Take Action

Join Churches for Middle East Peace’s upcoming “Advent Not Arms” international prayer vigil! On Wednesday, Dec. 18, at 11 a.m. EST, CMEP will host an international online prayer vigil featuring faith leaders from around the world praying for peace in the Middle East and an end to arms transfers that only increase human suffering and prolong conflict. Some of the leaders scheduled to participate include clergy from Japan, South Africa, and Sojourners’ own Rev. Adam Taylor. More information and a free registration link can be found here.
Tell your Senators: Say no to Trump’s recess appointments! Trump wants to exploit a Constitutional loophole and circumvent accountability from the legislative branch by using “recess appointments” to ensure that he can install exactly who he wants in his Cabinet and other key positions, no matter how unqualified or extreme his picks might be. If the Senate were to allow Trump to carry out his plans to use recess appointments, it would amount to a serious abdication of Senate leadership with dire consequences. Contact your Senators today and urge them to defend the checks and balances of our democracy.

The Truth and Action Roundup is compiled by Sojourners staff:
President: Rev. Adam Russell Taylor
Director of Racial Justice: Rev. Moya Harris
Senior Research Associate: J.K. Granberg-Michaelson
Senior Adviser and Director to the President’s Office: Elizabeth Denlinger Reaves
Senior Director of Campaigns and Mobilizing: Sandy Ovalle Martínez
Director of Congregational Outreach & Education: Rev. Andrea Saccoccio
Digital Communications Associate: Lexi Schnaser
Senior Director of Marketing: Sandra Sims

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