Bishop Loya's Response to Events in Minneapolis January 2026
Bishop Loya's Response to Events in Minneapolis January 2026
Beloved in Christ,
Matthew’s account of Epiphany, the feast we celebrated yesterday, shows that there are two responses to the manifestation of a poor, helpless, migrant child lying in a feeding trough as the the place where the God of the whole cosmos resides: fear and joy. King Herod meets the news of King Jesus with fear that quickly turns into a murderous rage as he slaughters an untold number of infants to eliminate the threat to his power. The wise men who had been watching the skies for a sign are overwhelmed with joy at the good news that Herod’s campaign of terror through violent force has met the unstoppable power of God’s love.
The Herods of the world, and their fear driven campaigns of terror, are ever with us. Today in Minneapolis, after deploying thousands of federal immigration agents in recent days, an individual was shot and killed by those agents. The news is crushing, to be sure, but we ought not be shocked. The federal government has been making good for a full year on its promise to enforce immigration policy through a racially narrow lens and with a cruel delight. An incident like the one today in Minneapolis was inevitable, and such violence is likely to remain a feature of our common life as long as federal agents are being deployed to cities seen to oppose the current administration for the sole purpose of provocation and intimidation.
As people of the Epiphany, our call is to stand in the midst of a world where Herod continues to flex and posture, not in outrage or with reciprocal violence, but gazing in wonder and expectation for the joyful manifestation of Jesus wherever the poor, the outsider, the weak, and the oppressed are to be found. As people of the Epiphany, in the midst of a world where cruelty tries to pose as power, we continue to rejoice in the assurance that absolute and final power resides in poor and crucified Jesus, who alone is the true king. Our Epiphany joy is not some naive and shallow notion that everything will be ok, when everything is so obviously not ok. Our Epiphany joy is the deep, defiant, revolutionary hope we have in the assurance that love is the most powerful force in the universe. Like the wise ones searching for Bethlehem, we wait, we watch, we follow where love leads, knowing that only God’s action in the world can finally and fully heal all that the lust for a false and hollow power had broken down, world without end.
Our ECMN Security Advisor also provided a response to this situation that I would commend to you. You can find that statement below.
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Dear ECMN Friends,
I write to you in my role as ECMN Security Advisor.
We know that recent news about increased immigration enforcement activity has caused fear, uncertainty, and deep concern for many in our community. Today’s shooting of an individual by ICE agents is tragic and disheartening, and it further escalates an already tense and increasingly dangerous situation in our communities. I want to say this clearly and gently: you are not alone in your grief, fear, or outrage.
As people of faith, we are grounded in compassion, dignity, and care for one another—especially for those who are feeling vulnerable or afraid right now.
Fear can spread quickly in moments like these, and we encourage one another to pause, breathe, and stay connected rather than isolated. Our concern for our immigrant neighbors is deeply rooted in love; at the same time, heightened anxiety can unintentionally increase confusion and risk for everyone.
Remaining calm, prepared, and grounded helps keep people safer and allows us to stay focused on our chief work: being the love of Christ to all we encounter.
We ask our faith communities to:
- Stay supportive and calm, especially in conversations that feel heavy or emotional
- Check in on one another, particularly families, neighbors, and those most directly affected, as well as the clergy and lay leaders serving our multicultural congregations.
- Rely on trusted information, not rumors or social media speculation
- Revisit the Current Recommendations for Safety and Security Preparedness for ECMN Congregations, which have not changed in light of this week’s events
- Be present and non-anxious, allowing congregational leaders charged with keeping people and property safe the space and support to do so
- Know the resources available to serve our immigrant members and neighbors
- Stay safe by avoiding interaction with local law enforcement and ICE agents
It is also important to know that everyone has rights. Regardless of immigration status, individuals have the right to remain silent, the right to ask for a warrant, and the right to seek legal counsel. We will continue to share reliable resources and learning opportunities so that we can remain informed rather than overwhelmed.
Our calling as followers of Jesus is to love our neighbors, protect human dignity, and walk together through difficult times. We remain committed to creating spaces of welcome, prayer, and mutual care. If you are feeling afraid or in need of support, please reach out—pastoral leaders and trusted community members are here to listen and help connect you with resources.
Let us continue to move forward together with courage, compassion, and hope.
With care and solidarity,
The Rev. Tim Kingsley, St. Mark’s Provost and ECMN Security Advisor