Dear Beloved Community,
As followers of Christ, we’re called to love God and love our neighbors. This commandment is the foundation of our community at Nativity Lutheran Church. Our faith asks us to welcome the stranger and care for those in need, as emphasized in Matthew 25:35-40.
In May of this year, The Tibyan Center, an organization focused on Islamic education for youth, purchased the former Bremer Bank site in St. Anthony Village. In addition to worship, the center will host community events and after-school programming.
Since the center’s announcement, there has been a series of break-ins and vandalism at the building on Lowry Avenue. While officials believe the break-ins may have been the result of urban exploring by youth and young adults, we cannot ignore the fact that the building remained untouched for years until the Tibyan Center purchased it. This troubling situation raises concerns that racism or discrimination may be at play. Regardless of the motive, we feel compelled to respond with a message rooted in faith and mission. We must speak out to support our siblings in faith and to stand against racism, hatred, and discrimination.
The Tibyan Center’s mission to serve and uplift the community aligns with our own values of inclusivity and compassion. The center’s leaders plan to host an open house to meet their neighbors and share traditional ethnic food once they move in. Currently, they are engaging in the civil zoning process to determine their ability to occupy the building. The next public hearing for this will be Tuesday, August 20, at 7:00 pm. You can learn more on the St. Anthony Village website.
This letter is not a call to attend the planning commission but to reflect on our mission—to consider how our actions can embody the love and compassion we are called to share with our neighbors. Engaging with our city officials to support the center is one way we can express our commitment to these values, but we can also contribute through prayer as well as other forms of advocacy and support.
Let us be a beacon of hope and love, showing that we embrace diversity and work toward a future where all are welcomed and respected. We encourage you to join us in prayer and action, standing in solidarity with the Tibyan Center and all who seek to make our community a better place.
May God’s love guide us as we strive to live out our mission of loving God and loving our neighbors.
In Christ’s peace,
Deacon Kyle Soderberg & Pastor Glenn Seefeldt