Starting this fall, join us in exploring the Issues Among Us. We'll go to museum exhibits, read books, speak with activists, and find all kinds of creative ways to learn about the issues facing our community. Then we'll gather together to pray and discuss what we're learning, put those learnings in conversation with our faith, and brainstorm some ideas for how our congregation can take action in response. Each month we'll learn about, pray through, and act on a different issue.
For our Summer Issues Among Us outing - We're getting an inside look at Friendship Place's newest short-term housing program and facility, Valley Place! Join us on Wednesday, July 12, Tuesday July 25th, meeting at church at 10:15am to carpool over to Valley Place together.
Click here to learn more about Friendship Place.
Click here to learn more about our Issues Among Us Series.
On Saturday, April 1st at 11am we'll go to the Cherokee Days Festival event at the National Museum of the American Indian.
From their website, the event description says: The three federally recognized Cherokee tribes—Cherokee Nation, United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians, and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians—showcase the shared history and cultural lifeways of the Cherokee people through storytelling, traditional flute music, weaponry, woodcarving, beadwork, traditional games, basket weaving, pottery demonstrations, and music and dance performances.
The entrance to the museum is at Third Street and Maryland Avenue, SW, facing the US Capitol Building. We'll meet just outside at that entrance at 11am, then head inside to check out all kinds of activities. Bring a lunch and we will find a space to eat and discuss after a bit. Then if you want to stay for more Cherokee Days fun, you're welcome to wander and explore! Click here to see Saturday's full Cherokee Days schedule.
On Tuesday, Feb. 28 we will meet at 5:30 p.m. in the lobby at the MLK Branch of the DC Public Library to visit their special exhibit, "Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley: Let the World See." This nationally touring exhibit shares the story of Emmett Till's life, shares about his mother's fight for justice, and encourages visitors to consider steps in their own work for racial and social justice in their communities.
This exhibit is recommended for ages 10 and older.
After we visit the exhibit, we'll find a space at the library to gather and discuss as a group.
In January 2023 we are going to the Smithsonian's Museum of African American History and Culture as we will visit their new exhibition, Spirit in the Dark: Religion in Black Music, Activism and Popular Culture. Join us on January 21st at 11am. After we view the exhibit, we'll gather either outside (weather permitting) or in the cafeteria for discussion. We have already secured tickets for 25 people to come and join us at the museum, so please RSVP to Pastor Erin and let her know if you plan to come.
In December we’re going to the Anacostia Community Museum and we’ll go on a walking tour of the redevelopment in the Southwest neighborhood. Curated by the museum, the Before the Bulldozers journey is a neighborhood experience through the history of this community’s 1950s neighborhood renewal project. We will be outside, so please do email Pastor Erin if you plan to come so that we can let you know if we have a weather cancelation or postponement. Wear some good walking shoes, dress for the weather, and bring some spending money, because after the tour, we’ll find a spot to buy lunch and chat about the experience together. Join us on Saturday, Dec. 10th at 11am at the Anacostia Community Museum.
In November we’re going to attend Washington Interfaith Network (WIN)’s Public Housing Action. Join this virtual event on Zoom to hear from residents about their concerns with DCHA plans and practices, and help WIN hold elected officials accountable to supporting these residents. Here’s the info from WIN:
There is a lot of attention on DCHA right now, sparked by the recent HUD report. The HUD report, although egregious, is not surprising; in fact, the majority of the issues outlined are almost the same as the 2018 HUD report that re-launched WIN into organizing alongside residents in public housing. WIN, alongside residents, have developed brilliant, bold, and realistic proposals grounded in experience and best practices. This moment will either be political posturing that leads to the status quo or it can lead to the bold long-term solutions that residents deserve. We believe residents aren't the problem; residents are a central part of the solution.
Join WIN's public housing leaders (Tues. Nov. 1 from 6:30 pm-7:30 pm) in lifting our proposal for change and calling on ALL of our appointed and elected officials to action. Click here to register.
For October, we’re going to learn about the legacy of the US Latinx community. Join us on Saturday, October 15th, at 11am to check out ¡Presente! A Latino History of the United States an exhibit of the new Smithsonian Museum of the American Latino, currently housed inside the National Museum of American History on the Mall. The museum and exhibit are free.
Info about the exhibit from the museum’s website: “Reexamine what you know about U.S. history by learning more about Latino identity, immigration, historical legacies, and how Latinas and Latinos have shaped the nation. Listen to first-person oral histories, examine 3D objects, dive into historical biographies, and explore some of the objects found in the exhibition to see how the past relates to the present.”
For September, we're going to look at the issue of Gun Violence among us. On Saturday, Sept. 17th at 11am we'll go see the Gun Violence Memorial Project, a special exhibit at the National Building Museum. (This exhibit is free.) If the weather is nice, pack a lunch and we'll plan to find a spot outside to eat, pray, and reflect after the exhibit. There are some pretty great swinging benches right there at the museum! Invite your friends, bring your neighbors, and let's all get together to learn, pray, and act!
A few details for Saturday:
National Building Museum is located at 401 F Street NW. The Metro’s Judiciary Square stop on the red line is just across the street from the museum. We will meet by the F Street entrance at 11am. Currently, masks are encouraged, but not required at the museum. More visitor info is available by clicking here.
Contact Pastor Erin with any questions about this event or about all of the Issues Among Us.