Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf
@revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social
Pastor, Activist, Theologian. The Gospel is anti-fascist, and so am I. Building a new world through the sanctuary movement, combating Islamophobia, and reparations. https://www.michaelcaseywwoolf.com/
Pinned
My wife @annapiela.bsky.social and I wrote a new book that comes out in January - Confronting Islamophobia in the Church. Invite us to your church, book group, or podcast, please! If you could help us spread the word and even preorder the book, we'd be grateful. www.judsonpress.com/Products/J32...
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf
Looks like Bookshop has our book in stock and ready to ship - if you've been waiting for it to be easily accessible, now is the time! Confront Islamophobia, build relationships with neighbors, and help us continue our work. bookshop.org/p/books/conf...
Confronting Islamophobia in the Church: Liturgical Tools for Justice
Liturgical Tools for Justice
bookshop.org
February 6, 2026 at 10:51 PM
Looks like Bookshop has our book in stock and ready to ship - if you've been waiting for it to be easily accessible, now is the time! Confront Islamophobia, build relationships with neighbors, and help us continue our work. bookshop.org/p/books/conf...
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf
“I think a lot of people sort of treat God as a really jealous lover in some way, that they’re really afraid that God is going to be angry that you’re learning about another religion,” said Michael Woolf. “But I think God ... wants us to learn from each other.”
religionnews.com/2026/02/05/c...
religionnews.com/2026/02/05/c...
Christians have a duty to confront Islamophobia, ministers argue in new book
(RNS) — In ‘Confronting Islamophobia in the Church: Liturgical Tools for Justice,’ the authors argue that learning about Islam can help Christians better appreciate and practice their own tradition.
religionnews.com
February 6, 2026 at 1:00 AM
“I think a lot of people sort of treat God as a really jealous lover in some way, that they’re really afraid that God is going to be angry that you’re learning about another religion,” said Michael Woolf. “But I think God ... wants us to learn from each other.”
religionnews.com/2026/02/05/c...
religionnews.com/2026/02/05/c...
Looks like Bookshop has our book in stock and ready to ship - if you've been waiting for it to be easily accessible, now is the time! Confront Islamophobia, build relationships with neighbors, and help us continue our work. bookshop.org/p/books/conf...
Confronting Islamophobia in the Church: Liturgical Tools for Justice
Liturgical Tools for Justice
bookshop.org
February 6, 2026 at 10:51 PM
Looks like Bookshop has our book in stock and ready to ship - if you've been waiting for it to be easily accessible, now is the time! Confront Islamophobia, build relationships with neighbors, and help us continue our work. bookshop.org/p/books/conf...
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf
Big thanks to @ulaakuzi.bsky.social for this interview with @annapiela.bsky.social and I - check it out, and support our work to build a pluralistic democracy.
“I think a lot of people sort of treat God as a really jealous lover in some way, that they’re really afraid that God is going to be angry that you’re learning about another religion,” said Michael Woolf. “But I think God ... wants us to learn from each other.”
religionnews.com/2026/02/05/c...
religionnews.com/2026/02/05/c...
Christians have a duty to confront Islamophobia, ministers argue in new book
(RNS) — In ‘Confronting Islamophobia in the Church: Liturgical Tools for Justice,’ the authors argue that learning about Islam can help Christians better appreciate and practice their own tradition.
religionnews.com
February 6, 2026 at 7:50 PM
Big thanks to @ulaakuzi.bsky.social for this interview with @annapiela.bsky.social and I - check it out, and support our work to build a pluralistic democracy.
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf
Thanks @ulaakuzi.bsky.social for this great interview with me and @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social!
“I think a lot of people sort of treat God as a really jealous lover in some way, that they’re really afraid that God is going to be angry that you’re learning about another religion,” said Michael Woolf. “But I think God ... wants us to learn from each other.”
religionnews.com/2026/02/05/c...
religionnews.com/2026/02/05/c...
Christians have a duty to confront Islamophobia, ministers argue in new book
(RNS) — In ‘Confronting Islamophobia in the Church: Liturgical Tools for Justice,’ the authors argue that learning about Islam can help Christians better appreciate and practice their own tradition.
religionnews.com
February 6, 2026 at 7:05 PM
Thanks @ulaakuzi.bsky.social for this great interview with me and @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social!
Big thanks to @ulaakuzi.bsky.social for this interview with @annapiela.bsky.social and I - check it out, and support our work to build a pluralistic democracy.
“I think a lot of people sort of treat God as a really jealous lover in some way, that they’re really afraid that God is going to be angry that you’re learning about another religion,” said Michael Woolf. “But I think God ... wants us to learn from each other.”
religionnews.com/2026/02/05/c...
religionnews.com/2026/02/05/c...
Christians have a duty to confront Islamophobia, ministers argue in new book
(RNS) — In ‘Confronting Islamophobia in the Church: Liturgical Tools for Justice,’ the authors argue that learning about Islam can help Christians better appreciate and practice their own tradition.
religionnews.com
February 6, 2026 at 7:50 PM
Big thanks to @ulaakuzi.bsky.social for this interview with @annapiela.bsky.social and I - check it out, and support our work to build a pluralistic democracy.
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf
We got our first review on Goodreads for Confronting Islamophobia in the Church, and it tells you everything about why you should buy it. Yes, we call it a genocide. No, we don’t let Christians off the hook for hate. Yes, we are trying to build a pluralistic democracy and fight Christian nationalism
January 29, 2026 at 8:11 PM
We got our first review on Goodreads for Confronting Islamophobia in the Church, and it tells you everything about why you should buy it. Yes, we call it a genocide. No, we don’t let Christians off the hook for hate. Yes, we are trying to build a pluralistic democracy and fight Christian nationalism
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf
All my charges have been dropped! When I tried to shut down a concentration camp, it was because Jesus was being tortured at #Broadview. I never did anything wrong, and the three charges were never going to prevail. The fight continues for all charges to be dropped for people doing the right thing!
February 4, 2026 at 4:20 PM
All my charges have been dropped! When I tried to shut down a concentration camp, it was because Jesus was being tortured at #Broadview. I never did anything wrong, and the three charges were never going to prevail. The fight continues for all charges to be dropped for people doing the right thing!
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf
There is nothing better than seeing a cop that abused you look confused as all your charges are dropped. It is just *chef's kiss* - only problem is I wanted the whole world to see that bodycam footage. That's probably why they dropped my charges. Shutting down #Broadview is a religious obligation!
February 4, 2026 at 4:30 PM
There is nothing better than seeing a cop that abused you look confused as all your charges are dropped. It is just *chef's kiss* - only problem is I wanted the whole world to see that bodycam footage. That's probably why they dropped my charges. Shutting down #Broadview is a religious obligation!
Of course! The whole world needs to see their evil deeds.
February 4, 2026 at 6:32 PM
Of course! The whole world needs to see their evil deeds.
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf
Yesterday, I was proud to lead a delegation to our local Target to ask the corporate office to stop collaborating with ICE and speak out about their abuses in Minnesota. We also asked them to take concrete steps to protect their employees and shoppers in Evanston.
Photo credit: Richard Cahan
Photo credit: Richard Cahan
February 3, 2026 at 6:43 PM
Yesterday, I was proud to lead a delegation to our local Target to ask the corporate office to stop collaborating with ICE and speak out about their abuses in Minnesota. We also asked them to take concrete steps to protect their employees and shoppers in Evanston.
Photo credit: Richard Cahan
Photo credit: Richard Cahan
Dreams sometimes come true!
February 4, 2026 at 4:57 PM
Dreams sometimes come true!
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf
Rev Michael Woolf of Evanston IL, who led protests at the Broadview ICE facility BEFORE 2025.
“Sermon on CNN… My faith tells me that what we do or withhold from the most vulnerable in our midst, we do or withhold from God. The only real question is, WOULD YOU LET THEM DEPORT JESUS?” [my emphasis]
“Sermon on CNN… My faith tells me that what we do or withhold from the most vulnerable in our midst, we do or withhold from God. The only real question is, WOULD YOU LET THEM DEPORT JESUS?” [my emphasis]
![[Screenshot of https://sightmagazine.com.au/news/nearly-two-dozen-arrested-as-faith-leaders-protest-outside-chicago-area-ice-facility/]
The Cook County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release that 21 people had been detained outside a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing cente in Broadview, Illinois, but did not provide identities and charges. Michael Woolf, minister at Lake Street Church of Evanston, was among those arrested, a Reuters photo showed.
[Photo of Michael Woolf forced to the ground by 2 police and getting cuffed]
Faith leader, Michael Woolf, minister at Lake Street Church of Evanston, is detained by Illinois State Police during a protest against immigration actions, outside the Broadview ICE facility in Chicago, Illinois, US, on 14th November, 2025. PICTURE: Reuters/Jim Vondruska](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:hyfks4kq5mthfzbx7erydhy7/bafkreiamhfi3rjpsy2e7lixofp6jlkiqyj23aqm4x257b6lthkgpg2inzu@jpeg)
![[Screenshot of Reverend Michael Woolf’s website]
Sermons I'm Proud of
Once in awhile, you preach a really good one
Sermon on CNN
Not every sermon is preached in a church. I consider this interview with CNN's Laura Coates Live to be one of my most important sermons because of the audience that it reached. My faith tells me that what we do or withhold from the most vulnerable in our midst, we do or withhold from God. The only real question is, would you let them deport Jesus?
"Bend the Arc"
Preaching the Sunday after Trump's election is no easy task, but these difficult times show us precisely what Christians we will be. Equal parts hope and a call to justice in the small realm that we can control, this message was shared widely throughout the United States in the weeks after the election.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:hyfks4kq5mthfzbx7erydhy7/bafkreiccoc4jrhtshpb2ppvkcs2oq52fyfjva54k4kuodja7gzyje4t7s4@jpeg)
February 4, 2026 at 4:44 PM
Rev Michael Woolf of Evanston IL, who led protests at the Broadview ICE facility BEFORE 2025.
“Sermon on CNN… My faith tells me that what we do or withhold from the most vulnerable in our midst, we do or withhold from God. The only real question is, WOULD YOU LET THEM DEPORT JESUS?” [my emphasis]
“Sermon on CNN… My faith tells me that what we do or withhold from the most vulnerable in our midst, we do or withhold from God. The only real question is, WOULD YOU LET THEM DEPORT JESUS?” [my emphasis]
I don't think it prevents it; I just didn't get to see it as part of discovery. Now I'll have to FOIA it.
February 4, 2026 at 4:38 PM
I don't think it prevents it; I just didn't get to see it as part of discovery. Now I'll have to FOIA it.
There is nothing better than seeing a cop that abused you look confused as all your charges are dropped. It is just *chef's kiss* - only problem is I wanted the whole world to see that bodycam footage. That's probably why they dropped my charges. Shutting down #Broadview is a religious obligation!
February 4, 2026 at 4:30 PM
There is nothing better than seeing a cop that abused you look confused as all your charges are dropped. It is just *chef's kiss* - only problem is I wanted the whole world to see that bodycam footage. That's probably why they dropped my charges. Shutting down #Broadview is a religious obligation!
All my charges have been dropped! When I tried to shut down a concentration camp, it was because Jesus was being tortured at #Broadview. I never did anything wrong, and the three charges were never going to prevail. The fight continues for all charges to be dropped for people doing the right thing!
February 4, 2026 at 4:20 PM
All my charges have been dropped! When I tried to shut down a concentration camp, it was because Jesus was being tortured at #Broadview. I never did anything wrong, and the three charges were never going to prevail. The fight continues for all charges to be dropped for people doing the right thing!
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf
Read my latest:This lengthy history of Christian anti-Muslim hostility, and fact that Islamophobia thrives in many American churches today, requires of us, American Christians, a consideration of our ethical and theological responsibilities toward our Muslim siblings. arcmag.org/the-quran-fo...
The Qur’an, for the Love of Christ! | ARC: Religion, Politics, Et Cetera
As a Baptist minister who wants to talk about Islamophobia—indeed, feels called to talk about Islamophobia—I always search for hard evidence. I want to help fellow Christians understand that I’m talki...
arcmag.org
February 3, 2026 at 5:59 PM
Read my latest:This lengthy history of Christian anti-Muslim hostility, and fact that Islamophobia thrives in many American churches today, requires of us, American Christians, a consideration of our ethical and theological responsibilities toward our Muslim siblings. arcmag.org/the-quran-fo...
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf
We are launching our book at @lakestreetchurch.bsky.social on February 4th at 6:30pm. If you are in Chicagoland, you will not want to miss it. Share far and wide!
February 2, 2026 at 10:20 PM
We are launching our book at @lakestreetchurch.bsky.social on February 4th at 6:30pm. If you are in Chicagoland, you will not want to miss it. Share far and wide!
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf
My new book - Confronting Islamophobia in the Church: Liturgical Tools for Justice - just got a new website. Want to read an excerpt or buy the book? Interested in booking us as speakers? Want to learn more? It's all there.
Confronting Islamophobia
www.islamophobiabook.com
January 22, 2026 at 11:14 PM
My new book - Confronting Islamophobia in the Church: Liturgical Tools for Justice - just got a new website. Want to read an excerpt or buy the book? Interested in booking us as speakers? Want to learn more? It's all there.
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf
Help us officially launch this book with a fantastic conversation at Hyde Park Union Church in Chicago on February 3rd at 6:00pm. It’ll be a great conversation at a great church! We need your help to make it a success!
January 29, 2026 at 7:40 PM
Help us officially launch this book with a fantastic conversation at Hyde Park Union Church in Chicago on February 3rd at 6:00pm. It’ll be a great conversation at a great church! We need your help to make it a success!
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf
We've heard our book is hard to order. We're here to fix that. If you want to build a pluralistic democracy, you can order directly from us. Help @annapiela.bsky.social and I fight Islamophobia with our new book Confronting Islamophobia in the Church. Get the tools you need.
Pardon Our Interruption...
www.ebay.com
February 2, 2026 at 6:37 PM
We've heard our book is hard to order. We're here to fix that. If you want to build a pluralistic democracy, you can order directly from us. Help @annapiela.bsky.social and I fight Islamophobia with our new book Confronting Islamophobia in the Church. Get the tools you need.
Yesterday, I was proud to lead a delegation to our local Target to ask the corporate office to stop collaborating with ICE and speak out about their abuses in Minnesota. We also asked them to take concrete steps to protect their employees and shoppers in Evanston.
Photo credit: Richard Cahan
Photo credit: Richard Cahan
February 3, 2026 at 6:43 PM
Yesterday, I was proud to lead a delegation to our local Target to ask the corporate office to stop collaborating with ICE and speak out about their abuses in Minnesota. We also asked them to take concrete steps to protect their employees and shoppers in Evanston.
Photo credit: Richard Cahan
Photo credit: Richard Cahan
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf
Now that most of the country wants to abolish ICE, get ready for the goalposts to shift, so that abolish ICE becomes "reform ICE" as we get closer to the election. We have to continue pressure to make sure we really mean abolish, when we say it, otherwise we will be sold out.
February 2, 2026 at 6:08 PM
Now that most of the country wants to abolish ICE, get ready for the goalposts to shift, so that abolish ICE becomes "reform ICE" as we get closer to the election. We have to continue pressure to make sure we really mean abolish, when we say it, otherwise we will be sold out.
We are launching our book at @lakestreetchurch.bsky.social on February 4th at 6:30pm. If you are in Chicagoland, you will not want to miss it. Share far and wide!
February 2, 2026 at 10:20 PM
We are launching our book at @lakestreetchurch.bsky.social on February 4th at 6:30pm. If you are in Chicagoland, you will not want to miss it. Share far and wide!
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf
Abolishing ICE is necessary but not sufficient. A Nuremberg is necessary but not sufficient. It is the bare minimum. We must completely repudiate the fascist ideology that led to this.
Now that most of the country wants to abolish ICE, get ready for the goalposts to shift, so that abolish ICE becomes "reform ICE" as we get closer to the election. We have to continue pressure to make sure we really mean abolish, when we say it, otherwise we will be sold out.
February 2, 2026 at 6:35 PM
Abolishing ICE is necessary but not sufficient. A Nuremberg is necessary but not sufficient. It is the bare minimum. We must completely repudiate the fascist ideology that led to this.