by Rev. Dr. Toni Hawkins, Southwest Conference Minister
Beloved Southwest Conference and Friends,
February fondly referenced as the month of love finds us living in a time of deep complexity and real challenge. Across our nation, unrest continues to surface as communities wrestle with fear, grief, and urgent questions about justice and belonging. We see it in Minnesota, where recent events have ignited pain, protest, and grief of the loss of lives at the hands of our own government. We feel it closer to home in New Mexico, Arizona, and El Paso, where threats, uncertainty, and anxiety are impacting our congregations and the communities we serve. These are not distant headlines. They are lived realities. And they call us not to retreat but to faithful presence.
For the month of February, we hold together the theme, Presence That Grounds Us: Justice That Clicks. In moments like these, justice clicks when it is rooted in presence; God’s presence with us, our presence with one another, and our faithful presence in the world. Justice is not only something we advocate for; it is something we embody through how we show up, listen deeply, and choose dignity over division. This theme also carries weight as we observe Black History Month. It invites us to remember and honor the enduring witness of Black communities whose faith, resilience, and courage have shaped the ongoing struggle for justice.
As we honor Black History Month, may we be strengthened by the witness of those who have walked this path before us and encouraged to live out a justice grounded in hope, courage, and God’s abiding presence. Their stories remind us that justice is not abstract or passive.
In these challenging times, I want you to hear this clearly: we are in this together. The Conference staff remains committed to walking alongside you with care and concern for your well-being, your ministries, and your communities. Presence that grounds us means we do not abandon one another when the work is hard. It means we stay connected, even when the path forward is not easy or clear.
As part of responding faithfully to our present realities, the Conference has contracted a marketing firm to assist us in clarifying and strengthening our brand identity. This work is not about appearance, but about alignment designed to ensure that how we communicate reflects who we truly are. The process is designed to provide congregations with tools and materials to promote and share your ministries with clarity and faithfulness, in ways that align with our shared values. We hope you will engage fully and offer feedback as this work unfolds.
Friends, justice that clicks does not require perfection. It requires presence that is grounded, courageous, and compassionate. As we move through this month together, may we remain rooted in God’s abiding presence and committed to showing up for one another and for the world.
We close with the words of the prophet, which continue to guide and ground us:
“But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” - Amos 5:24
May we be a people through whom God’s justice flows.
Dr. Toni