Voices for Justice

What social justice issues matter most to you and what would you most like to see changed in the world? Social justice issues are part of a greater whole. I grew up in an EPA Superfund site in Michigan. Environmental justice around clean water was the first issue of...

“. . . like amnesiacs/in a ward on fire, we must/find words/or burn.” -Olga Broumas These watchwords inspire Pamela Mittlefehldt’s daily dedication to finding words—words that give voice to the urgent cry for justice in a world on fire. It seems fitting that Pamela’s...

The major social concern that I have is the number of world governments that do not provide basic necessities to their citizens. Our planet produces more than enough food to provide nutritious sustenance for everyone, but, because the distribution system is so...

The social issue that is most important to Gayle Kelly is closing the achievement gap, the racial divide in our state that starts so early.  “I think about it as equity for kids.”  Gayle, who recently retired as Executive Director of Minnesota Head Start, stepped into...

Dave Courtright is truly a silent runner, quietly but steadfastly doing what needs to be done. At Peace Church, he can be found hanging new gutters on the outside of the church, or crawling in ducts removing old and outdated metal from a former heating unit—and then...

It all began with a canoe trip into the Boundary Waters with her church youth group when Kathy was 13 or 14, a trip she describes as, “one of the best experiences of my life.”  Not long after, Kathy was the one taking church groups into the wilderness, and she’s been...

When he reflects on the issues that are most important to him, Bill Mittlefehldt focuses on inequality—the disproportionate opportunities that affect income and racial groups—and environmental justice.  He became aware of the dynamics of inequality as a student during...

Terese urges all of us, especially those of us who have comfortable lives, to care more.  For her, the greatest commandment is to love our neighbor as ourself, to treat others as we want to be treated.  She urges us to live out of love instead of fear.  When we live...

This familiar quotation by Mahatma Gandhi is the guiding force in René Montgomery’s life. These words hang on the wall in her office at Cloquet High School, where she teaches English. As a teacher for over 30 years, René works to ensure that her students are given...

Jesse was raised outside of Fairmont, Minnesota, on a small farm built from the hope, passion and drive of his parents, Gary and Nancy Schomberg. Gary was an engineering tech for the city of Fairmont in addition to working the farm and livestock. Nancy worked at a...

Crystal Kaczmarczyk is a senior at Duluth East High School. She is also a passionate, thoughtful Peace Church Climate Justice team member. When asked what social concerns or issues mattered most to her, she wisely responded that it’s hard to decide—they are all so...

Danny and Matt are both members of Peace Church and nurses at Essentia. They met while working at a nursing home in Superior many years ago. Danny got his RN degree first and has been a nurse now for 9 years. He works on the Adult Mental Health Unit at Miller Dwan. He...