Charles Uffelman
6.6K posts
@CharlesUffelman
“Bearded and burly Tennessean” - NYTimes | Biscuit Baker | he/him
President Trump says US Navy will blockade ships in the Strait of Hormuz after the collapse of peace talks with Iran. Follow live updates. cnn.it/4cDstXQ
MEMPHIS: “There are about 50 schools that need to close” As state Republicans take over Shelby County schools, @SenBrentTaylor says they plan to shutter many While underfunding them, sending millions of taxpayer💰to vouchers/privately run charter schools (H/T @NoApologies901)
Today I shared in my e-note that LaVon and I are considering my running for the US Senate as an Independent from the State of Kansas. Here's what I posted. The website includes a video in which I describe why we are considering this and also a page with FAQ's from the church and a letter from our Staff Parish Relations Committee. Here's the text from my e-note: Over the years, I’ve had numerous people suggest I run for office. I’ve been told that my experience leading this congregation, my passion for building bridges instead of walls, for seeking to “close the gap” between the world as it is and the world as it should be, and an emphasis on essential human values found in the gospels - loving our neighbor, and our enemy, and treating others the way we want to be treated - is needed in national politics today. From time to time, LaVon and I would talk about the possibility of running for office, but I’ve always felt my vocational calling was to be your pastor, something I’ve been honored to do for the last 36 years. Yet over the last year, as I’ve seen the polarization in our country reach new heights, with kindness, compassion and common decency often lost in national politics, as well as government policies that seem to widen rather than close the gap, I’ve often found myself thinking “we have to do better.” Once again, over the last 12 months, people would say, “Have you considered running for the US Senate?” LaVon and I talked, and she felt the answer was still no. About six weeks ago, I got home from work, and LaVon said, “I think we should at least consider that you have something to offer, and that perhaps this is God’s will for you.” I had been feeling that, but I never expected her to say this. So we began praying about my running as an Independent candidate for the Senate from the State of Kansas. We spoke to people who have run, and people who work in politics and have served in the Senate. We spoke with our children, our executive staff team here at Resurrection, our bishop, several United Methodist bishops, our Staff Parish Committee, and clergy friends. We have received a great deal of encouragement to move forward. Last week LaVon and I decided to take the next step, to do what is called, “testing the waters” – for me that includes fasting and praying, it includes taking five days over the next four weeks to drive across Kansas to listen and hear the concerns hopes of other Kansans, and to do the work of evaluating if there would be support for someone like me running for the US Senate. I am not a candidate, nor am I announcing a candidacy. But only strongly considering this. Our plan is to make a decision ten days after Easter. I recorded a video last night that goes into a bit more detail about why we are considering this, what would happen if we decide to run, and what role I would play here at Resurretion if I were actually to win. I’d love you to watch the video to the end – I think you’ll find it helpful. I will share this news at the end of this weekend’s sermon. After that, you won’t hear anything else about it in worship until after Easter. You won't read any more about it in my eNote after today until we announce whether we’re moving forward. My social media accounts are my own, not the church’s, and I will post on them from time to time, including information about my listening stops and an exploratory website where people can find more information. I want to say here what I say in the video: There are three loves in my life. The first is my love for God. The second is my love for my family. And third is my love for you, Resurrection. I have devoted the last 36 years to starting, growing and leading this congregation. I am so proud of you. I see this as a possible way of extending our work of bringing people together and “closing the gap.” Thank you for praying for me. You’ll find on the website here (cor.org/seniorpastor), along with the video, a set of FAQ’s, a letter prepared by our Staff Parish Committee, and a link to a feedback form.
NEW: Vice President JD Vance has privately apologized to Cardinal Timothy Dolan for falsely claiming that Catholic bishops oppose immigration enforcement because they profit from migrant resettlement programs. Vance, who made the accusation during a televised interview last year, told Dolan the statement was “out of line and not true,” according to the cardinal. In the same interview, Dolan condemned the Trump-Vance Administration’s decision to conduct immigration raids near churches, calling the practice “harassment” and a profound violation of religious liberty. thelettersfromleo.com/p/jd-vance-adm…
🚨🚨GOP's new fear: Losing the Senate in November - plummeting economic and immigration numbers - even seemingly safe R states look competitive axios.com/2026/02/06/gop…
