The Mercy Movement: Joining Forces for a Better Future for All.

Beyond the Beliefs: The Universal Embrace of Community in Faith In the diverse landscape of global faiths, it’s easy to get lost in the intricacies of theological differences and varying rituals. But if we step back and observe the overarching structures and lived experiences, a powerful common thread emerges: the fundamental importance of community. Whether gathering in grand cathedrals, humble mosques, serene temples, or simple meeting halls, the impulse to connect, to share, and to belong within a framework of shared beliefs is a deeply human and universally religious phenomenon. Across continents and centuries, faiths have fostered vibrant communities that provide far more than just spiritual guidance; they offer a sense of identity, support, and purpose. Let’s delve into the key ways this emphasis on community resonates across the world's religions: Finding Our Tribe: Shared Identity and Belonging At its heart, faith often provides a powerful sense of "us....

Urgent Appeal & Comprehensive Strategy: Addressing Escalating Violence Against Unhoused in Ashland and Championing National Solutions Dear Esteemed Public Officials, Concerned Citizens, and Members of the Press, I am writing to you today not only as an advocate for our nation's most vulnerable but also as a resident of Ashland, Kentucky, who is currently experiencing homelessness. Since May 2024, my husband, our vital service dog, and I have been living in our vehicle—a harsh reality after being on the HUD/Section 8 waiting list for over a year and the Welcome House list for approximately a year. My husband actively seeks employment, and I continue to fight for disability due to debilitating chronic illnesses directly linked to my Camp Lejeune toxic water exposure, where I was conceived and born in 1978. Exposed to harmful chemicals at levels up to 280 times the EPA's safe limit, this has led to severe cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal pain, and cancer. Despite our pr...

Still Pushing for Change: My Journey to Spark Action in Ashland and Beyond Hey everyone, It’s Catherine Christenberry here, and I’m back with another update on my unwavering fight for our unhoused neighbors. As many of you know, my husband, our service dog, and I have been living out of our vehicle right here in Ashland since May 2024. This isn't just an abstract issue for me; it's our daily reality, while we navigate waiting lists for housing and I continue my battle for disability, stemming from my severe chronic illnesses linked to the toxic water exposure from Camp Lejeune, where I was conceived and born. Despite the profound challenges we face, our commitment to helping others experiencing homelessness in Ashland has only deepened. We're on the streets, offering compassion and presence, and witnessing firsthand the escalating and truly horrific violence targeting the most vulnerable among us. The Hard Truth on Ashland's Streets: Cruelty Has Become a Spo...

The Unbreakable Bond: How All Faiths Echo the Call to Love One Another In a world that often feels fractured by differences, it's easy to get caught in the noise of what separates us. Yet, if we pause and listen closely to the wisdom of the ages, a powerful and undeniable harmony emerges from the heart of every major faith tradition: the universal call to "love one another." This isn't just a quaint suggestion; it's a profound, unwavering commandment that forms the ethical bedrock of human existence across cultures and centuries. While the rituals, names for the divine, and specific doctrines may vary wildly, the essence of loving our fellow human beings remains a constant, unifying truth. So, what do all faiths have in common when it comes to this paramount principle?  Let's explore: 1. The Golden Thread of Reciprocity: The Golden Rule Perhaps the most direct and globally recognized commonality is the "Golden Rule." It appears in nearly ...

The Universal Thread: How All Faiths Unite in the Call to Help In a world often seemingly divided by dogma and doctrine, it's easy to overlook the profound commonalities that bind humanity. One of the most striking, and perhaps most vital, shared principles across virtually every faith and spiritual tradition is the resounding call to help one another. From the ancient wisdom traditions to the modern-day congregations, this imperative to lend a hand, offer comfort, and alleviate suffering echoes through sacred texts, moral teachings, and community practices. It’s a powerful, unifying thread that weaves through the tapestry of human belief. Think about it:  * The Golden Rule: Whether it's "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" in Christianity, "What you do not wish for yourself, do not do to others" in Confucianism, or similar formulations found in Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and countless indigenous spiritualities, the essenc...

🇺🇸 From Chaos to Character: Rebuilding Respect, Safety, and Compassion in Our Communities In our last blog, we took a hard but necessary look at the difference between protest and crime — and why we must protect our constitutional freedoms without excusing violence, destruction, or lawlessness. Today, let’s talk about what comes next: how we fix this, how we stand up for each other, and how we rebuild trust and truth in a divided country. Because loving your country means more than waving a flag. It means showing up — for your neighbor, your city, your values, and your fellow Americans. 🏛️ What We Must Remember: The Constitution Protects Us All The Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Declaration of Independence weren’t written to create chaos — they were written to protect individual liberty within a framework of law, order, and justice. That includes: • Free speech, not violent speech • Peaceful assembly, not violent mobs • A free press, not manipulated media • Due proces...

🇺🇸 Law, Order, and Compassion: Understanding Crime, Protest, and Accountability in Today’s America As someone who proudly supports the Constitution, honors our Bill of Rights, respects our military and first responders, and also advocates fiercely for the vulnerable — especially our homeless, veterans, and forgotten neighbors — I believe it's time for an honest conversation about what’s happening in our communities. What’s the difference between a protest and a riot? When does anger become a crime? And why do we see so many people in power either look the other way or, at times, participate in the very chaos they’re sworn to prevent? Let’s take a deeper, heartfelt look at what’s legal, what’s criminal, and what kind of America we want to build — together. ⚖️ What Are Crimes — and Why Do They Matter? In the United States, crimes are violations of laws designed to protect people, property, peace, and national security. The Bill of Rights gives us freedoms — speech, assembly, religi...