iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

I was grateful to join the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship last week talking about the need for faith based resistance to fascism. It was a great experience! Thanks to @amandatylerbjc.bsky.social for all the work she and BJC are doing!

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Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

Our 70 year old copper cross at @lakestreetchurch.bsky.social is coming down for restoration. Literally a once-in-a-lifetime event!

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Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

Let me solve this problem for you. Enforce the law. If ICE comes to a courthouse in violation of Illinois law, arrest them. Let it play out in courts. Who cares if you lose eventually - you still deprive the ICE agents of the ability to terrorize our communities. Have a backbone!

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Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

Excited to host a coalition of Mainline Protestants today at the church I pastor. We are strategizing for defense of democracy and will be working to resist detention centers/ concentration camps and keep new ones from being built from a faith-based lens.

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Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

Another D Governor who doesn’t get it. They are on hunger strike in there - it is a torture facility. What would you do if there was a concentration camp nearby? Evidently, you would chastise protesters and send in state police to rough them up. How about doing everything you can to arrest ICE?

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Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

If I learned anything this past decade, it’s that there are no rules. No one made a rule that you can’t name a building after yourself while you’re president because we thought common decency would prevail. We need all the rules, because courts can’t enforce things there aren’t rules for.

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Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

This is what Trump and his cronies are spending their time doing - markups of Trump’s face on a $250 bill. Despite the fact that it’s illegal to have someone living on our money - we are not a monarchy, after all. The level of corruption, greed, and self dealing is unlike anything we’ve ever seen.

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Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

This Sunday was Pentecost, and it shows us a God who revels in diversity, including religious difference. We need that Pentecost power now more than ever to fight against the forces of hate that we saw in the shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego. The church must say something.

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Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

Say their names! Amin Abdullah, Mansour Kaziha and Nader Awad are heroes and martyrs who died protecting kids from anti-Muslim violence. They are a bright light. People aren’t made for this evil. They were made for goodness.

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Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

I see the word “tragedy” being used to describe the shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, and it is without a doubt, a tragedy. But we know the source of this tragedy is from the highest power in our country, where this administration actively foments Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hate.

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Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

Our hearts are grieved by the vicious attack on the Islamic Center of San Diego. @annapiela.bsky.social and I wrote a statement for our action network Challenging Islamophobia Together Chicagoland. My Muslim siblings, you are not alone. We stand in solidarity. Christians, we’ve got work to do.

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Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

Was so proud to host the Alliance of Baptists for their annual gathering at @lakestreetchurch.bsky.social a couple of weeks ago. It was an honor to preach at the gathering’s opening worship service.

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Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

Hmmm, I wonder if that’s the reason it took her three months to drop my charges? Nah, couldn’t be. Just because people have a D next to their names does not mean they are committed to the same things as you. They will sell you out unless we make them pay a political price for doing so.

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Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

Most important exhibit in the museum better be how Mayor Thompson was a collaborator with a concentration camp, sent her police to brutalize clergy/protesters (me & others) to make sure the torture center could do its evil unimpeded, & lied about us being out-of-towners & violent. Truly disgusting!

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Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

Humbled to be chosen by Harvard Divinity School, my alma mater, to be awarded the Gomes Honor this year.

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Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

This week, in the shadow of the Iran War, @annapiela.bsky.social and I gathered 30 Christian leaders from Chicagoland for our Christians Challenging Islamophobia Conference. This work is so important right now, and Christians have to find their voice evanstonroundtable.com/2026/03/03/c...

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Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

Kristi Noem's press office issued a statement telling me to "get a grip and seek help" back in December. Now that she's out of a job, it's my turn to give some advice. Get ready - you will be held accountable by the American people and by God. Repentance will be received well by God at least.

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Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social · 21/02/2026

Using Bible verses to recruit ICE agents is deeply blasphemous, but it also tells us precisely who the agency is trying to recruit - Christian nationalists who are willing to do anything to make their vision of America come true. We can't let them. More here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-05M...

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Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

They will tell you that empathy is a sin, but that is a lie. Empathy is what makes us human - it gives us the courage to fight for our values. Don't be deceived. Full video here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-05M...

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Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

We have gotten a lot of notice from the Islamophobia industry about our new book. Could you add your voice and give a review if you've read it? Maybe even if you haven't, since we know this guy didn't read it. www.goodreads.com/book/show/24...

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Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

Take a listen to my appearance on the Voices That Propel Us podcast about why learning about Islam makes you a better Christian. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/v...

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Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

Yesterday, I was proud to lead a delegation to our local Target to ask the corporate office to stop collaborating with ICE and speak out about their abuses in Minnesota. We also asked them to take concrete steps to protect their employees and shoppers in Evanston. Photo credit: Richard Cahan

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Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

We are launching our book at @lakestreetchurch.bsky.social on February 4th at 6:30pm. If you are in Chicagoland, you will not want to miss it. Share far and wide!

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Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

We are learning the hard way as a country, but I maintain hope that we will repudiate the fascist ideology that led us here and that a majority of Americans bought into. There is no kind way to enact immigration cruelty. Abolishing ICE is not enough; we must get to the ideology that made ICE

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Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

Looks like the #Islamophobia industry hates @annapiela.bsky.social’s and my #book, and they even made this caricature of us. Thanks for the cheekbones - I’ll be framing it! But here’s the part that isn’t funny. This is part of a campaign to target and intimidate anyone who fights anti-Muslim hate.

Caricature of Anna Piela and Michael Woolf

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Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

We got our first Goodreads review! Make sure to check it out because after a doozy of a review like that, you know that it’s got to be good.

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Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

We got our first review on Goodreads for Confronting Islamophobia in the Church, and it tells you everything about why you should buy it. Yes, we call it a genocide. No, we don’t let Christians off the hook for hate. Yes, we are trying to build a pluralistic democracy and fight Christian nationalism

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Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

Help us officially launch this book with a fantastic conversation at Hyde Park Union Church in Chicago on February 3rd at 6:00pm. It’ll be a great conversation at a great church! We need your help to make it a success!

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Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

We are fighting the Devil. It’s that simple. I don’t know what else to call evil in physical form like this.

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Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social · 18/01/2026

Imagine writing this for your grandchildren to find. “What did you find out for your genealogy project?” “My ancestors were fascists who cheered on authoritarianism even when the country was finally waking up to the moral implications of these crimes!” Like finding out Grandpa was in the KKK.

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Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social · 17/01/2026

Growing up, I thought that the commandment not to take God’s name in vain was about saying goddamn, but this is what that commandment was talking about. Keep God’s name out of your mouth when you do your disgusting fascist deeds.

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Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social · 14/01/2026

@annapiela.bsky.social and my new book came out today! Confronting Islamophobia in the Church is the result of years of our interfaith work and it would mean the world to me if you would read it. www.judsonpress.com/Products/J32...

Michael Woolf and Anna Piela posing with their new book - Confronting Islamophobia in the Church.

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Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

The relentless targeting of the Somali community is not an accident - it is because of Islamophobia and anti-Blackness, and it is all interconnected with white Christian nationalism. My prayers are with all those losing TPS protection.

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Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social · 04/01/2026

Franklin Graham was previewing the foreign policy of the United States when he called God a “God of war” last month. This is an idol that scripture warned us of. What we believe about God shows us the boundaries of our ethics. God is a God of peace - not war. Reported by @briankaylor.bsky.social

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Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social · 28/12/2025

Say his name: Sheikh Fouad Saeed Abdulkadir. ICE killed him and he was an imam - can you imagine if it was a pastor? Christian nationalism kills. Fight it and fight #Islamophobia. Both are Christian problems and they are getting worse every day. We have to stand up to these ghouls.

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Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social · 28/12/2025

Want more content from me about just this thing? Consider pre-ordering @annapiela.bsky.social and my book that comes out next month - Confronting Islamophobia in the Church: Liturgical Tools for Justice. www.judsonpress.com/Products/J32...

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Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social · 26/12/2025

I wish that I could tell you that the crisis we are facing as a country was going to be resolved in our lifetime. What I can promise is that love wins and it all starts at Christmas. Because the true power is not with Herod; it is in the manger. Before that power, tyrants quake.

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Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social · 25/12/2025

A light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. This Christmas we have to remember that love wins.

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Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social · 24/12/2025

GOOD NEWS: The ICE agents in our nativity have decided to quit their reign of terror to become shepherds. Evil has already lost, and it’s not too late to choose another path. Love your neighbor, love your God, save your soul, and quit your job. Love wins. Merry Christmas!

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Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social · 22/12/2025

ICE killed an Eritrean Imam in one of their concentration camps this week. Can you imagine if it was a pastor?The dovetailing of #Islamophobia and immigration cruelty is because white Christian nationalism is our stated public policy. It really pisses me off. We have to fight it with all we’ve got.

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Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social · 21/12/2025

Sad news: someone stole baby Jesus from our anti-ICE nativity. But vandalism cannot stop us. We just adapt and keep on critiquing this administration’s cruelty on immigration. Where’s baby Jesus? We don’t know. He is being detained in a labyrinthian hellscape where his loved ones cannot find him.

Where are Mary, Joseph and Jesus? We don’t know. They are being detained in a labyrinthian hellscape where their loved ones are unable to locate them. Right now they are being denied due process and cannot connect with a lawyer. Right now they are being denied basic human rights. We grieve for them and for the heinous way these this country is treating them.

O God of the immigrant,
You came into this world as a foreigner.
You found no room at the inn.
May you find room in our hearts.
Room enough to change this country.
Room enough for compassion.
Room enough to cast the mighty from their thrones.

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Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social · 20/12/2025

It was such an honor to be asked to help light the Hanukkah candles at Jewish Reconstructionist Synagogue in Evanston. Members from JRC showed up for us when we needed them after our nativity was targeted by rabid right wingers, and it was important for me to do the same - especially this week.

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Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social · 20/12/2025

This is 🔥🔥🔥! The Immigrant’s Creed by Jose Luis Casal in @sojo.net We have to use our most sacred symbols and ideas to fight dehumanization wherever we find it. Otherwise, what’s the point of religion? It certainly isn’t to coddle elites and say “submit to the authorities” over and over.

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Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social · 19/12/2025

Ever wonder why the algorithm and our cultural overlords want you miserable? It’s because joy is resistance. Joy lets us know that there are things worth fighting for. That’s why they want to take it from you. Don’t let them. Fight to find joy, so you can fight for your values. #joy #advent #sermon

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Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

If you want to build a pluralistic democracy, you have to fight Islamophobia. The latest @theispu.bsky.social polling shows #Islamophobia increasing in the US, but increasing the most among #Christians. This is a crisis the #church can act on, because we can teach love or hate. Our choice.

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Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

@govpritzker.illinois.gov is doing an AMA on Reddit. It would be a shame if folks asked him about Illinois State Police brutalizing protestors - me included! He’ll likely give a weak response about how he can’t do anything. That’s what I’ve come to expect from him and politicians generally.

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Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

In the #Advent season Christians all over the world are getting ready for the birth of Jesus, but some of the most beautiful narratives of Jesus’ birth are in the Quran, not the Bible. The Christmas miracle we need is to challenge #Islamophobia together by building respect across traditions.

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Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

This is the war on Christmas - it could be a tweet from Herod’s ministry of war. This is the sort of blasphemy that ought to enrage Christians everywhere. Jesus’ birth story is of a family forced to leave their home due to an authoritarian ruler and political violence. The context is right there.

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