Hey everybody, 

Check out this week’s episode of the podcast, Can I Say This at Church?, which features Jonathan talking about one of his recommendations from last week’s newsletter: that Hillsong documentary. And here are this week’s highlights as we seek to leave colonized faith for the kingdom of God. 

Sy’s recommendations: 

• Currently, Texas has the execution of Melissa Lucio scheduled for next Wednesday. I say “currently” because the evidence is that she did not commit any crime, and there are many clamoring for clemency. She is the victim of the carceral system’s unwillingness to confront the problem of harsh and deceptive police interrogation tactics that force false confessions like hers. Lucio’s false conviction is typical for women who face this injustice; it was for murdering her young child who actually died in a tragic accident. Her story, and the issues around it are all addressed in this gripping article. But the post is worth a read for another reason: its author is one of the world’s most famous exonerees, Amanda Knox. She writes movingly of the compassion, love, and comfort she received when she entered the community of exonerated criminal justice reformers, and how much she wants to one day welcome Lucio into that same embrace. You can add your name to the Innocence Project’s petition against Lucio’s execution here, or take to social media under the hashtag #SaveMelissaLucio.