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Violet Johnicker

@violetjohnicker.bsky.social
284 followers 285 following 72 posts

Always a good day to go fishing. Rockford, IL

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Violet Johnicker @violetjohnicker.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
Rockford's new church @tableofgrace.bsky.social is launching in a week and a half!
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Violet Johnicker @violetjohnicker.bsky.social · 15/03/2026
The new church I've been appointed to start is officially launching in two weeks and I'm so excited!!! Please say a prayer for us! We're praying for you too!
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Violet Johnicker @violetjohnicker.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
Flock is dangerous and Rockford should cancel our license plate reader contract with them immediately. Read more from my friend Kathleen, Rockford ACLU President, and me here: drive.google.com/file/d/1YaZh...
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Rachel Maddow @maddow.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
“It’s about time to have Christians standing up for what Jesus said,” including welcoming immigrants,” he said. “People being pushed into unmarked vans by masked men isn’t it,” added his wife... www.chicagocatholic.com/web/chicago-...
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tableofgrace.bsky.social @tableofgrace.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
Today is Epiphany, celebrating wise leaders who recognized the divinity of Jesus and worshipped him instead of King Herod who wanted their unquestioning worship. May Christians in the US reflect on this lesson for our times, particularly on the five year anniversary of the January 6th insurrection.
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Violet Johnicker @violetjohnicker.bsky.social · 04/01/2026
This powerful piece by Julie Schwerin is framed in my office because it tells a convicting truth. Sharing it today in hope that it could be received as an invitation to people and churches who prefer to "stay out of politics," when in reality there's no such thing. (1/3)
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Violet Johnicker @violetjohnicker.bsky.social · 31/12/2025
If it sounds like I'm a little sick it's because I am, but I still wanted to make one more video with hope for the new year 🎉
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Violet Johnicker @violetjohnicker.bsky.social · 08/12/2025
Protest for the ACA outside Rep. LaHood's Rockford office this Wednesday, join us! RSVP here: www.mobilize.us/citizenactio...
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Jack Jenkins @jackjenkins.me · 07/12/2025
UPDATE: Another Chicago-area church has put up an immigration-themed Nativity scene. A church member at Urban Village Church sent this one along, where Mary, Joseph and Jesus are gone and replaced with a sign that reads: “Due to ICE activity in our community, the Holy Family is in hiding.”
A Nativity where Mary, Joseph and Jesus are gone and replaced with a sign that reads: “Due to ICE activity in our community, the Holy Family is in hiding.”
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Dan Schwerin @danschwerin.bsky.social · 05/12/2025
In Ps. 112:5 today: 'It is well with those who deal generously.' Generosity & well-being are sisters, offspring of justice & mercy. In a moment of rage bait algorithms, & fear of immigrants, deal generously. Consider grace. Generously is my meditation today.
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Rockford News First @wifr.com · 02/12/2025
The Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board (WCCMHB) asks the community to share their thoughts on mental health and substance use service gaps and needs in Winnebago County.
wifr.com
Winnebago Co. community asked to participate in Mental Health Board public survey
The WCCMHB asks the community to share their thoughts on mental health and substance use service gaps and needs in Winnebago County.
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tableofgrace.bsky.social @tableofgrace.bsky.social · 02/12/2025
One of the best Advent memes...
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Violet Johnicker @violetjohnicker.bsky.social · 01/12/2025
What gives you hope? A little Advent reflection from @tableofgrace.bsky.social
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Violet Johnicker @violetjohnicker.bsky.social · 29/11/2025
All you Fascists Bound to Lose -key of D open.spotify.com/track/0lYykZ...
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Violet Johnicker @violetjohnicker.bsky.social · 29/11/2025
This is HORRIFYING. I looked it up and took my own screenshot. Joining with people of good faith and conscience to denounce this racist fascist propaganda.
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Violet Johnicker @violetjohnicker.bsky.social · 25/11/2025
Rockford, you're invited to an Advent wreath making party! this @tableofgrace.bsky.social space is for you all ages to make new friends and learn how we're called to embody hope, peace, joy, and love in a season when so many really need it. Sunday at 3pm at the Good Shepherd YMCA.
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Violet Johnicker @violetjohnicker.bsky.social · 21/11/2025
I totally support this. Churches should not be able to endorse candidates. The ethical ones already don't, and it should be illegal.
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Joshua Reed Eakle 🗽 @joshuaeakle.com · 19/11/2025
Oh my. James Talarico is incredibly skilled in dismantling Christian Nationalists. Get this man in the Senate.
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Violet Johnicker @violetjohnicker.bsky.social · 18/11/2025
EAST CHARLOTTE — Border Patrol officials announced Monday that, after a weekend of visiting nearly every church in Charlotte, agents were “unable to locate Jesús,” despite what they described as “extensive on-site efforts.” Article at: thecharlotten.com/despite-raid...
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Violet Johnicker @violetjohnicker.bsky.social · 15/11/2025
Absolutely disgusted by this language from the Department of Homeland Security social media. My clergy colleagues who protested today have jobs, and I pray they will have the grace to forgive those who insulted them as they advocate for the marginalized beloved children of God who Jesus loves.
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Jack Jenkins @jackjenkins.me · 14/11/2025
Oh wow @reuters.com got the photo here:
“Faith leader, Michael Woolf, minister at Lake Street Church of Evanston, is detained by Illinois State Police during a protest against immigration actions, outside the Broadview ICE facility in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., November 14, 2025. REUTERS/Jim Vondruska”
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United Methodist News @umnews.bsky.social · 13/11/2025
Organizers of The United Methodist Church’s top legislative meeting have set the total number of delegates, who for the first time will mostly come from outside the U.S. www.umnews.org/en/news/gc20...
umnews.org
GC2028 delegate count marks historic shift | UMNews.org
Organizers of The United Methodist Church’s top legislative meeting have set the total number of delegates, who for the first time will mostly come from outside the U.S.
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Jack Jenkins @jackjenkins.me · 13/11/2025
Buried in here: UMC pastors in Chicago told me they were going to keep doing this for a wide spectrum of Methodists who have legal battles amid the ongoing mass deportation effort in the city — immigrant families, pastors who have been arrested, etc. Some serious denominational solidarity here.
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Violet Johnicker @violetjohnicker.bsky.social · 13/11/2025
Very proud to see United Methodists showing up in numbers for the civil rights of protesters and immigrants
religionnews.com
Methodist pastors march into courtroom to support 'boring suburban dad' indicted for protesting
CHICAGO (RNS) — ‘If you come for one United Methodist, you have come for all of us,’ said a Chicago area UMC pastor.
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Bill Grueskin @bgrueskin.bsky.social · 09/11/2025
Kyle Kingsbury is not a journalist. He is not an op-ed writer. He is a computer safety researcher. And he has written one of the most compelling, comprehensive accounts of the ongoing hell in Chicago that you could possibly imagine. In under 1600 words. aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...

I Want You to Understand Chicago
Politics Chicago
2025-11-08

I want you to understand what it is like to live in Chicago during this time.

Every day my phone buzzes. It is a neighborhood group: four people were kidnapped at the corner drugstore. A friend a mile away sends a Slack message: she was at the scene when masked men assaulted and abducted two people on the street. A plumber working on my pipes is distraught, and I find out that two of his employees were kidnapped that morning. A week later it happens again.

An email arrives. Agents with guns have chased a teacher into the school where she works. They did not have a warrant. They dragged her away, ignoring her and her colleagues’ pleas to show proof of her documentation. That evening I stand a few feet from the parents of Rayito de Sol and listen to them describe, with anguish, how good Ms. Diana was to their children. What it is like to have strangers with guns traumatize your kids. For a teacher to hide a three-year-old child for fear they might be killed. How their relatives will no longer leave the house. I hear the pain and fury in their voices, and I wonder who will be next.

Understand what it is to pray in Chicago. On September 19th, Reverend David Black, lead pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Chicago, was praying outside the ICE detention center in Broadview when a DHS agent shot him in the head with pepper balls. Pepper balls are never supposed to be fired at the head because they can seriously injure, or even kill. “We could hear them laughing as they were shooting us from the roof,” Black recalled. He is not the only member of the clergy ICE has assaulted. Methodist pastor Hannah Kardon was violently arrested on October 17th, and Baptist pastor Michael Woolf was shot with pepper balls on November 1st.

Understand what it is to sleep in Chicago. On the night of September 30th, federal agents rappelled from a Black Hawk helicopter to execute a raid on an apartment building on the South Sho…
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Dan Schwerin @danschwerin.bsky.social · 09/11/2025
In Ps. 138:3 today: 'You encouraged me with inner strength.' Resilience is the gift of encouragement. Inner strength is like a meal at midday. This is a marathon moment. May the day hold a second wind for your soul. Strength is my prayer today.
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Jack Jenkins @jackjenkins.me · 08/11/2025
UPDATE: Reached out to the Rev. Hannah Kardon, a United Methodist minister who was there that day and has been active in religious demonstrations at Broadview. “They are making it clear that they are scared of prayer … it speaks the truth that what they are doing in that building is evil.”
They are making it clear that they are scared of prayer and all the diverse faith witness that has been at Broadview
because it is powerful - it speaks the truth that what they are doing in that building is evil. But we will not stop until the evil stops.
They have stolen our neighbors, they cannot steal our love and prayers for their return.
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Jack Jenkins @jackjenkins.me · 08/11/2025
“Federal authorities told demonstrators Friday that there would be ‘no more prayer’ in front of or inside the Broadview ICE facility, in a move that mystified local leaders and raised legal questions.” blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/07/f...
blockclubchicago.org
Feds Tell Faith Leaders 'No More Prayer' Outside Broadview Facility
In a possible violation of the First Amendment, federal officials instructed demonstrators to stop holding religious gatherings outside the immigration processing facility in suburban Broadview after ...
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Violet Johnicker @violetjohnicker.bsky.social · 05/11/2025
Congratulations to Rev. Dr. Dale Caldwell, United Methodist pastor, on his election as Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey!!!
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Violet Johnicker @violetjohnicker.bsky.social · 01/11/2025
Sunday at 4pm, you're invited! @tableofgrace.bsky.social
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Violet Johnicker @violetjohnicker.bsky.social · 31/10/2025
Happy All Hallows Eve! Check out @tableofgrace.bsky.social for more info about Sunday afternoon's gathering
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United Methodist News @umnews.bsky.social · 30/10/2025
After Hurricane Melissa, @umcor.bsky.social is preparing to support the response efforts of its Methodist partners in Jamaica and the Caribbean. People can support recovery by clicking “Donate Now” on UMCOR’s website and selecting “IDR — Hurricane Melissa.” umcmission.org/disaster-res...
umcmission.org
Hurricane Melissa
Join us in prayer for those in Hurricane Melissa’s path. UMCOR stands ready to support Methodist partners in the Caribbean.
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Kelly @broadwaybabyto.bsky.social · 27/10/2025
The Walton family (who own Walmart) are worth over $400 billion, yet many of their employees are on SNAP. Bezos is worth over $400 billion, many Amazon employees require SNAP. The people who need help are not the problem. It’s corporate greed. It’s an unwillingness to pay a living wage.
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Violet Johnicker @violetjohnicker.bsky.social · 27/10/2025
There have been so many thoughtful ideas posted lately about how to support families who will be forced to make impossible choices if SNAP benefits stop Nov 1. Brainstorming and sincerely asking, (1/3)
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Violet Johnicker @violetjohnicker.bsky.social · 26/10/2025
The Florida concentration camp is still operating. People of faith, including United Methodist clergy, are still protesting. www.miamiherald.com/news/local/i...
miamiherald.com
‘Sunday church in the Everglades.’ Faith movement grows at Alligator Alcatraz protests
They’re out there, deep in the Florida Everglades every Sunday evening — rain or shine — holding signs, singing songs and praying.
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United Methodist News @umnews.bsky.social · 24/10/2025
In a pastoral letter, the #UMC Council of Bishops laments how the ongoing U.S. government shutdown is causing harm and calls on members of the U.S. Congress and all elected leaders to set aside partisanship and work for the common good. Read letter www.unitedmethodistbishops.org/newsdetail/c...
unitedmethodistbishops.org
COB Pastoral Letter on US Government Shutdown
As a people called United Methodists, who proclaim God’s justice, peace, and care for all people, we lament the ongoing government shutdown in the United States and the harm it is causing to countless...
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Violet Johnicker @violetjohnicker.bsky.social · 21/10/2025
Being outside with my kids is the best 🍁♥️🍂
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United Methodist News @umnews.bsky.social · 17/10/2025
With warm faith, pastors seek to counter ICE United Methodists in Chicago and Portland, Oregon, are striving to lead courageously by protecting neighbors, sharing their Christian witness and setting the record straight on what’s happening in their cities. www.umnews.org/en/news/with...
umnews.org
With warm faith, pastors seek to counter ICE | UMNews.org
United Methodists in Chicago and Portland, Oregon, are striving to lead courageously by protecting neighbors, sharing their Christian witness and setting the record straight on what’s happening in the...
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Violet Johnicker @violetjohnicker.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
Always good to be in Springfield and see so many dedicated people in the halls advocating for justice and progress!
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Violet Johnicker @violetjohnicker.bsky.social · 13/10/2025
Absolutely horrifying.
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Violet Johnicker @violetjohnicker.bsky.social · 12/10/2025
My mom put this up outside her house today. She said attendance has been low where she teaches after two students from the community college were abducted by ICE last week. Every day I see more people speaking up and taking a stand, and it gives me hope!
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ACLU @aclu.org · 10/10/2025
BREAKING: A federal judge has temporarily blocked President Trump from deploying federalized National Guard troops into Chicago. This ruling reinforces what we already knew: It is illegal for the president to use manufactured emergencies to send soldiers into our cities.
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Violet Johnicker @violetjohnicker.bsky.social · 10/10/2025
So proud of the moral courage of many people of faith, especially my United Methodist clergy colleagues quoted here!
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Violet Johnicker @violetjohnicker.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
Feeling hopeful and inspired after getting to see @johnfugelsang.bsky.social in Chicago tonight! A sold out crowd with a sold out book - this guy is on to something...
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Violet Johnicker @violetjohnicker.bsky.social · 08/10/2025
Waukegan, IL has a weekly pro-democracy protest and today my parents and I got to join. Thank you to everyone out there fighting for justice in whatever ways you can.
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Violet Johnicker @violetjohnicker.bsky.social · 04/10/2025
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Dan Schwerin @danschwerin.bsky.social · 02/10/2025
In Ps. 26:11 today: 'Save me! Have mercy on me!' In South Shore Chicago last night armed agents knocked down doors & disappeared men, women, & children, in box trucks, not even with time to dress. Zip-tying children in the US. Have mercy, Lord. Have mercy those who love God. Mercy is my work today.
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