The report said if the blockade and military campaign continues, “the vast majority” in Gaza will not have access to food or water, civil unrest will worsen, health services will “fully collapse,” disease will spread, and levels of malnutrition and death will cross the thresholds into famine.
Courtney Bledsoe, owner of Call & Response, had been a corporate attorney before undertaking a “full career shift” and risking a substantial drop in income. The 30-year-old held no illusions that owning a store meant “pouring a cup of coffee and reading all day.” Calling herself “risk averse,” she researched the book retail business as if preparing for a trial, before committing herself and launching Call & Response in May 2024.“This endeavor is probably the hardest thing I have ever done in my life,” she says, acknowledging it could take a couple of years before she can even pay herself a salary. “We’re just doing this to serve the community, doing something we love to do, providing people with great events, great reading. It’s been a real joy.”
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Right after Sunday worship at St. Paul’s-San Pablo, Juan Carlos Toapanta lay in a lounge chair set up by the altar, needles sticking out of his forehead, wrist and foot for an hourlong acupuncture session.“Just like the Lord’s light helps emotionally, the body’s pain is treated as well,” said the Ecuadorian construction worker, who suffers from sciatica and has worshipped at the Minneapolis church for about five months. “Everything feels freed, emotionally.”
Founded by Swedish immigrants in the late 19th century, the church is now a predominantly Latino congregation. Like most other churches in the U.S. that serve migrants, it has expanded its humanitarian, financial, legal and pastoral ministries during the Trump administration’sIt has also added monthly well-being sessions — at no charge — with acupuncture, Reiki and cupping therapy to ease the stress that uncertainty and fear have sown among the migrant community — including people in the U.S. illegally and U.S.-born citizens in mixed-status families.
“We have to feel well to respond well, not with panic and fear, which leads to nothing good,” said Lizete Vega, the church’s family engagement coordinator. “People here feel that they’re protected and can be cared for spiritually, emotionally and physically.”
Faith leaders have increasingly found themselves called to help their congregations with mental health concerns, fromSope Dirisu poses for photographers at the photo call for the film ‘My Father’s Shadow’ at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Sunday, May 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Guillaume Marbeck, from left, director Richard Linklater, Zoey Deutch and Aubry Dullin pose for photographers at the photo call for the film ‘Nouvelle Vague’ at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Sunday, May 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)Guillaume Marbeck, from left, director Richard Linklater, Zoey Deutch and Aubry Dullin pose for photographers at the photo call for the film ‘Nouvelle Vague’ at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Sunday, May 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Shia LaBeouf, left, and director Leo Lewis O’Neil pose for photographers at the photo call for the film ‘Slauson Rec’ at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Sunday, May 18, 2025. (Photo by Lewis Joly/Invision/AP)Shia LaBeouf, left, and director Leo Lewis O’Neil pose for photographers at the photo call for the film ‘Slauson Rec’ at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Sunday, May 18, 2025. (Photo by Lewis Joly/Invision/AP)