Today is Election Day. That means today, Tuesday, November 5, is the last day to cast our votes for a host of political offices that have the power to determine the course of the future for our individual and communal lives. CRS encourages all who read this to make that choice.

CRS joined a coalition of community leaders denouncing genocide and calling for a permanent ceasefire at the June 22 Die-In At AIPAC (The Israel Lobby). Read CRS Executive Director Rev. Dr. Waltrina Middleton’s reflection and access photos from the nonviolent demonstration.

This Memorial Day holiday, as CRS reflects on lives dedicated to service, moral courage, and the principles of justice, sacrifice, and human dignity, we do so against the backdrop of present-day wars, genocide, and a culture of violence that includes poverty and racism. We are beckoned to memorialize the peacekeepers of our past by being the change agents in this very hour of world suffering and unrest.

Rev. Dr. Stephen Sizer, founder and director of Peacemaker Trust and international coordinator for the 2024 Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center International Conference on Challenging Religious Extremism, published an article about the Church of England and Gaza. Read the complete article or summary conclusions here.

CRS shares a powerful message from Zoughbi Zoughbi, president of the International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR), concerning the sanctity of life and the ongoing conflict in Palestine and Israel. His words are a reminder of the fundamental value and dignity of every human being.

Join CRS in the immediate call to action to demand a YES vote on the recognition of Palestine as a member state of the United Nations. The cause of Palestinian sovereignty and security is a matter of justice and rights, and every one of our voices must be uplifted and heard.

CRS remains in solidarity with Palestinians experiencing genocide, ethnic cleansing, and colonialism committed by the Israeli occupation. We urge you to get involved in a new call to action advocating against apartheid and violence in Gaza and demanding a boycott of the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest. Learn more here.

We are reminded of the profound message of hope and healing that lies at the heart of this sacred season, including observations of Ramadan, Passover and Easter — each respectively steeped in Abrahamic traditions. It is a time when we reflect upon the ultimate act of love and redemption — the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

During an evening worship session of the 2024 Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference, CRS Executive Director Rev. Dr. Waltrina Middleton provided a moving testimony and call to action. She preached the urgency of uplifting disinvested and displaced communities, not only in Chicago, but in Palestine.

On February 15, CRS gathered at the Chicago City Hall to demand City Council members vote ‘no’ to arbitration behind closed doors for police misconduct cases and vote ‘yes’ for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Weather-related disasters are becoming more frequent with the advent of extreme weather cycles. This blog article written by Nina Sumner explores how these events impact people from minority ethnic backgrounds to a disproportionate level.

From the growing migrant crisis in our city, to observing the escalating tensions in our communities, to bearing witness to the destruction and devastation between Israel and Palestine, our hearts and souls ache.

CRS is steadfast in its commitment to honoring the sanctity of life. We grieve the loss of all lives impacted by the culture of violence across the global diaspora, perpetuated through war, racism, poverty, disinheritance, xenophobia and all crimes against humanity, including white supremacist patriarchal systems of oppression.

CRS condemns violence and oppression and we call for humanity, peace and justice. Read this blog article to access resources for Palestine, Sudan, and more toward liberation and healing.

CRS is a member of the Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago (CRLMC), which issued a joint statement in response to the racialized murder of 6-year-old Wadea Al-Fayoume, targeted due to xenophobia and religious identity.

Director of Friends of North Sabeel Jonathan Kuttab shares that various factors suggest a hopeful future for Palestinian-Israeli resolution despite challenges and increasing violence.

CRS Communications Intern Katie Masano Hill reflects on the importance of remembrance.

Israeli operation devastates Jenin, with minimal global reaction. Advocate for rejecting violence, pursuing justice, fostering hope and ending complicity in Israeli apartheid.

CRS reflects on recent violence in Palestine and offers educational resources to understanding the conflict.

CRS Communications Intern Katie Masano Hill shares about the Kansha Project and how the Japanese American community in Chicago is working towards cross-cultural solidarity and remembering the experiences of their ancestors.