Michele Somerville she/her
@michelesomerville.bsky.social
NYC mama, poet, writer, teacher, religion scholar.
I’m Indie Theology. Books (poems): Glamourous Life, Black Irish, WISEGAL. Bylines: Harvard Divinity, Religion Dispatches, NYT.
https://indietheology.substack.com/https://linktr.ee/mmsnypoet
I’m Indie Theology. Books (poems): Glamourous Life, Black Irish, WISEGAL. Bylines: Harvard Divinity, Religion Dispatches, NYT.
https://indietheology.substack.com/https://linktr.ee/mmsnypoet
November 22, 2025 at 5:56 PM
November 22, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Reposted by Michele Somerville she/her
SPECIAL BIBLE STUDY ALERT–This Wednesday, 6pm ET, join Dr. David Carr at Freedom Church of the Poor for a powerful study of Christian Nationalism and the Hebrew Scriptures.
Comment "Bible Study!" and we'll DM you the link to join.
Comment "Bible Study!" and we'll DM you the link to join.
November 12, 2025 at 12:04 AM
SPECIAL BIBLE STUDY ALERT–This Wednesday, 6pm ET, join Dr. David Carr at Freedom Church of the Poor for a powerful study of Christian Nationalism and the Hebrew Scriptures.
Comment "Bible Study!" and we'll DM you the link to join.
Comment "Bible Study!" and we'll DM you the link to join.
Reposted by Michele Somerville she/her
The NY Episcopal Diocese just passed a new plan to save its finances. But the biggest church in the diocese says the plan won't work.
religionnews.com/2025/11/20/a...
religionnews.com/2025/11/20/a...
A new funding plan puts NYC Bishop and Trinity Church at odds
(RNS) — A new funding plan would cut costs for most New York churches but calls on Trinity Church to double its donations to the diocese. Trinity leaders say they want to help but the bishop’s plan wo...
religionnews.com
November 20, 2025 at 7:13 PM
The NY Episcopal Diocese just passed a new plan to save its finances. But the biggest church in the diocese says the plan won't work.
religionnews.com/2025/11/20/a...
religionnews.com/2025/11/20/a...
Reposted by Michele Somerville she/her
Update on DHS threats reported from #Worcester: I spoke with @bmietana.bsky.social at @rns.org about what we were hearing on the ground. Bottom line? DHS claims no ICE raids on churches during holidays but won’t rule it out. This is why we at council of churches sue religionnews.com/2025/11/20/v...
Viral warnings of planned ICE raids on churches have pastors worried
(RNS) — Rumors and viral reports about potential ICE raids have immigrant church leaders worried about their congregations. DHS says it doesn’t have plans to raid churches — but won’t rule it out.
religionnews.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Update on DHS threats reported from #Worcester: I spoke with @bmietana.bsky.social at @rns.org about what we were hearing on the ground. Bottom line? DHS claims no ICE raids on churches during holidays but won’t rule it out. This is why we at council of churches sue religionnews.com/2025/11/20/v...
Reposted by Michele Somerville she/her
Warnings that ICE will raid churches over the holidays are going viral. We looked into one story that's got pastors worried -- and it wasn't what we thought it might be
religionnews.com/2025/11/20/v...
religionnews.com/2025/11/20/v...
Viral warnings of planned ICE raids on churches have pastors worried
(RNS) — Rumors and viral reports about potential ICE raids have immigrant church leaders worried about their congregations. DHS says it doesn’t have plans to raid churches — but won’t rule it out.
religionnews.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Warnings that ICE will raid churches over the holidays are going viral. We looked into one story that's got pastors worried -- and it wasn't what we thought it might be
religionnews.com/2025/11/20/v...
religionnews.com/2025/11/20/v...
Reposted by Michele Somerville she/her
Veronica Downs-Dorsey, a revered New Orleans teacher and musician with international impact, died this month after an illness and over 55 years of ministry.
Her packed-out funeral saw hundreds pay tribute to a Black Catholic seemingly larger than life. buff.ly/CfVmnKG
Her packed-out funeral saw hundreds pay tribute to a Black Catholic seemingly larger than life. buff.ly/CfVmnKG
November 16, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Veronica Downs-Dorsey, a revered New Orleans teacher and musician with international impact, died this month after an illness and over 55 years of ministry.
Her packed-out funeral saw hundreds pay tribute to a Black Catholic seemingly larger than life. buff.ly/CfVmnKG
Her packed-out funeral saw hundreds pay tribute to a Black Catholic seemingly larger than life. buff.ly/CfVmnKG
Reposted by Michele Somerville she/her
Trans lives matter.
November 20, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Trans lives matter.
Reposted by Michele Somerville she/her
What would Jesus do?
Love and cherish transgender folks.
Love and cherish transgender folks.
November 20, 2025 at 8:01 PM
What would Jesus do?
Love and cherish transgender folks.
Love and cherish transgender folks.
Reposted by Michele Somerville she/her
The majority of Catholics believe in reproductive and religious freedom.
It’s past time the church started listening to its parishioners.
It’s past time the church started listening to its parishioners.
November 21, 2025 at 1:30 PM
The majority of Catholics believe in reproductive and religious freedom.
It’s past time the church started listening to its parishioners.
It’s past time the church started listening to its parishioners.
Reposted by Michele Somerville she/her
Make it good, but it make it your idea of good
November 21, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Make it good, but it make it your idea of good
Reposted by Michele Somerville she/her
Editors have a really hard job, and the good ones can make something unreadable readable, and the great ones can make something unreadable into something good. But they're basically invisible, until someone tries to write without one.
November 17, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Editors have a really hard job, and the good ones can make something unreadable readable, and the great ones can make something unreadable into something good. But they're basically invisible, until someone tries to write without one.
Reposted by Michele Somerville she/her
Wapo did a big investigative piece on the billionaires spending and influencing American politics.
Billionaire Leonard Leo, w $1.6 BILLION, not mentioned?
There is no trump in 2016 or 2024 w/o Leo. Why does MSM protect him?
medium.com/@thcarter123...
Billionaire Leonard Leo, w $1.6 BILLION, not mentioned?
There is no trump in 2016 or 2024 w/o Leo. Why does MSM protect him?
medium.com/@thcarter123...
Leonard Leo & the Stained Glass Curtain He’s Hiding Behind
“Pay no attention to the roly poly bat faced boy behind the altar”
medium.com
November 21, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Wapo did a big investigative piece on the billionaires spending and influencing American politics.
Billionaire Leonard Leo, w $1.6 BILLION, not mentioned?
There is no trump in 2016 or 2024 w/o Leo. Why does MSM protect him?
medium.com/@thcarter123...
Billionaire Leonard Leo, w $1.6 BILLION, not mentioned?
There is no trump in 2016 or 2024 w/o Leo. Why does MSM protect him?
medium.com/@thcarter123...
x.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:35 PM
You can thank the so-called “pro-life” lobby for killing this mama, who should have been able to receive an early abortion in #Texas & for leaving the 14 year-old young man without his mother.
“Pro-life” has always been their misnomer.
www.propublica.org/article/texa...
“Pro-life” has always been their misnomer.
www.propublica.org/article/texa...
“Ticking Time Bomb”: A Pregnant Mother Kept Getting Sicker. She Died After She Couldn’t Get an Abortion in Texas.
Walker is one of several women ProPublica found with underlying health conditions who died when they couldn’t access abortions.
www.propublica.org
November 20, 2025 at 12:16 PM
You can thank the so-called “pro-life” lobby for killing this mama, who should have been able to receive an early abortion in #Texas & for leaving the 14 year-old young man without his mother.
“Pro-life” has always been their misnomer.
www.propublica.org/article/texa...
“Pro-life” has always been their misnomer.
www.propublica.org/article/texa...
Reposted by Michele Somerville she/her
The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which.’
George Orwell, Animal Farm
George Orwell, Animal Farm
November 20, 2025 at 9:25 AM
The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which.’
George Orwell, Animal Farm
George Orwell, Animal Farm
You can thank the so-called “pro-life” lobby for killing this mama, who should have been able to receive an early abortion in #Texas , & for leaving the 14 year-old young man without a mother.
“Pro-life” has always been their misnomer.
www.propublica.org/article/texa...
“Pro-life” has always been their misnomer.
www.propublica.org/article/texa...
“Ticking Time Bomb”: A Pregnant Mother Kept Getting Sicker. She Died After She Couldn’t Get an Abortion in Texas.
Walker is one of several women ProPublica found with underlying health conditions who died when they couldn’t access abortions.
www.propublica.org
November 20, 2025 at 11:55 AM
You can thank the so-called “pro-life” lobby for killing this mama, who should have been able to receive an early abortion in #Texas , & for leaving the 14 year-old young man without a mother.
“Pro-life” has always been their misnomer.
www.propublica.org/article/texa...
“Pro-life” has always been their misnomer.
www.propublica.org/article/texa...
Reposted by Michele Somerville she/her
wrote about the president’s flagrant and destructive corruption in a column that references street fighter, the simpsons, machiavelli, and a host of revolutionary-era americans (gift link)
Opinion | The White House Gold Rush Is On
www.nytimes.com
November 19, 2025 at 11:51 AM
wrote about the president’s flagrant and destructive corruption in a column that references street fighter, the simpsons, machiavelli, and a host of revolutionary-era americans (gift link)
Reposted by Michele Somerville she/her
For the past month, I’ve been collecting coupons to places: Dunkin, Mcdonalds, etc. and donating them to local food shelters.
Like others, I receive these coupons and Freebies I’ll never use.
I’ve received feedback that many families have used them.
The little things can have the greatest impact.
Like others, I receive these coupons and Freebies I’ll never use.
I’ve received feedback that many families have used them.
The little things can have the greatest impact.
November 18, 2025 at 7:54 PM
For the past month, I’ve been collecting coupons to places: Dunkin, Mcdonalds, etc. and donating them to local food shelters.
Like others, I receive these coupons and Freebies I’ll never use.
I’ve received feedback that many families have used them.
The little things can have the greatest impact.
Like others, I receive these coupons and Freebies I’ll never use.
I’ve received feedback that many families have used them.
The little things can have the greatest impact.
Reposted by Michele Somerville she/her
There’s no such thing as “friendly” social media, and this kind of censorship is a kind of violence.
x.com/sarahkendzio...
x.com/sarahkendzio...
November 13, 2025 at 12:44 AM
There’s no such thing as “friendly” social media, and this kind of censorship is a kind of violence.
x.com/sarahkendzio...
x.com/sarahkendzio...
This is worth reading. I think blaming Covid & screens for depression & underachieving is often reductive & misleading but this writer/psychologist teases some nuance out. Also, standardized tests are just one way of measuring achievement and aptitude. 1/
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/16/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/16/o...
Opinion | The Screen That Ate Your Child’s Education
www.nytimes.com
November 17, 2025 at 11:58 AM
This is worth reading. I think blaming Covid & screens for depression & underachieving is often reductive & misleading but this writer/psychologist teases some nuance out. Also, standardized tests are just one way of measuring achievement and aptitude. 1/
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/16/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/16/o...
This is a week old.
The oleaginous bishop of Baltimore, who has covered up clergy child rape & sex abuse for years, & who more recently, is presiding over use of the bankruptcy loophole to run down the clock on/re-traumatize survivors.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=0pW_...
The oleaginous bishop of Baltimore, who has covered up clergy child rape & sex abuse for years, & who more recently, is presiding over use of the bankruptcy loophole to run down the clock on/re-traumatize survivors.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=0pW_...
Child sex abuse survivors confront Archdiocese of Baltimore during bankruptcy hearing
YouTube video by WBFF FOX45 Baltimore
m.youtube.com
November 16, 2025 at 3:40 PM
This is a week old.
The oleaginous bishop of Baltimore, who has covered up clergy child rape & sex abuse for years, & who more recently, is presiding over use of the bankruptcy loophole to run down the clock on/re-traumatize survivors.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=0pW_...
The oleaginous bishop of Baltimore, who has covered up clergy child rape & sex abuse for years, & who more recently, is presiding over use of the bankruptcy loophole to run down the clock on/re-traumatize survivors.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=0pW_...
The ‘benificent’ &, of late, rebranding USCCB still doing their bigotry thing!
No 💸💰to be made off #trans folks!
No 💸💰to be made off #trans folks!
US bishops in Baltimore approve ban on gender-affirming care at Catholic hospitals
US bishops in Baltimore approve ban on gender-affirming care at Catholic hospitals
U.S. Catholic bishops voted Wednesday to make official a ban on gender-affirming care for transgender patients at Catholic hospitals. The step formalizes a yearslong process for the U.S. church to address...
buff.ly
November 16, 2025 at 2:59 PM
The ‘benificent’ &, of late, rebranding USCCB still doing their bigotry thing!
No 💸💰to be made off #trans folks!
No 💸💰to be made off #trans folks!
The #VaticanOptics is really working. T Rump has been the #USCCB ‘s guy for 3 successive elections. I hope this strategy works, but the US Bishops’ performance is also part buyer’s remorse & reputation scrub. #CatholicChurch
1. BREAKING
The US Conference of Catholic Bishops has issued a statement admonishing the Trump administration’s immigration actions.
The last time they issued such a statement was in 2013 in response to contraception mandates.
The US Conference of Catholic Bishops has issued a statement admonishing the Trump administration’s immigration actions.
The last time they issued such a statement was in 2013 in response to contraception mandates.
November 16, 2025 at 2:48 PM
The #VaticanOptics is really working. T Rump has been the #USCCB ‘s guy for 3 successive elections. I hope this strategy works, but the US Bishops’ performance is also part buyer’s remorse & reputation scrub. #CatholicChurch
An impressive report.
/witness. Hilary Andersson ‘won’ a chance to attend/report on the execution of Tremaine Wood, offers an artfully wrought picture of the added on torments of Oklahoma’s murder by the state procedure.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025... www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
/witness. Hilary Andersson ‘won’ a chance to attend/report on the execution of Tremaine Wood, offers an artfully wrought picture of the added on torments of Oklahoma’s murder by the state procedure.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025... www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
‘A sick spectacle’: counting down the final minutes on Oklahoma’s death row
Tremane Wood was prepared to die by lethal injection. A minute before he was to be put to death, a call came in
www.theguardian.com
November 16, 2025 at 2:30 PM
An impressive report.
/witness. Hilary Andersson ‘won’ a chance to attend/report on the execution of Tremaine Wood, offers an artfully wrought picture of the added on torments of Oklahoma’s murder by the state procedure.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025... www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
/witness. Hilary Andersson ‘won’ a chance to attend/report on the execution of Tremaine Wood, offers an artfully wrought picture of the added on torments of Oklahoma’s murder by the state procedure.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025... www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...