We know that when we turn on the news every day there are new orders, new policies, new situations for people of faith to grapple with. We're going to try and share a few resources and updates, as we can. And as actions are identified, we’ll share them here as well. And of course, we’re going to pray together, a whole lot. Come for worship on Sundays at 11am, in person or online. We’ll pray
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On Saturday, June 14 while we've heard there might be some other event planned in DC that might gain some attention, instead Free DC invites everyone in the city to join a community celebration with food, music, performances, and more. Invite your friends, bring a cooler, and come kick it with people who choose freedom over fear. Click here for details.
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DC Joy Day
Join your neighbors on June 14th for a local celebration of community in Anacostia Park from 12-5pm.
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.Free DC Campaign Orientations
Free DC is a movement led by the people of the District of Columbia to win dignity for our communities and exert our right to self-determination. For too long, the people of DC have been prevented from fully governing ourselves in ways that are deeply and fundamentally unjust. We are no longer willing to accept this and building the cultural and political power it will take to win.
You can learn more about this movement, how we are organizing, and get involved by attending a campaign orientation meeting, offered both in person and online. Click here for upcoming orientation events.
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DC Emancipation Day Event - Wednesday, April 16th at 6pm
“DC Emancipation Day Speak Out: Standing Together to Fight the Power,” a performance and panel discussion on protecting Home Rule, saving federal jobs and services, and investing in local DC communities.
Doors open at 5:30 PM for food, conversation, and community. The program will begin at 6:00 PM.
NOTE: There will be a required bag check for any bags larger than a small purse. Guests are encouraged to bring fewer items.
Register now to join the celebration and we look forward to seeing you tomorrow at Metropolitan AME Church starting at 5:30 PM.
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Prayer Vigil for Kilmar and His Family
Monday, April 14 from 10:45 am to 11:45 am, as Salvadoran President Bukele visits the White House, we will gather for a vigil co-sponsored by CAN, CASA, and the UCC. Together, we will call on both governments to act with justice and compassion and respect due process—not only toward Mr. Kilmar Abrego Garcia, but toward all migrants at risk of being detained in El Salvador’s notorious CECOT prison.
Thanks to your powerful solidarity over the past two weeks, we have made important strides toward Kilmar’s safe return. Your presence is needed now more than ever.
Please join us Monday to lift up a public witness for justice.
Location Instructions:
Meet at Lafayette Park, at the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and where 16th Street would be if it continued through the park.
*If the park is closed due to a security lockdown, we'll meet at the corner of 16th Street and H Street NW instead.
Bring signs demanding Kilmar’s return, calling for due process, and insisting on human rights for all in the United States.
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The Collective of Queer Christian Leaders is gathering on April 14th at 10am ET for a Rally at the U.S. Capitol!
We are at a pivotal moment in history—a moment that calls us to rise, resist, and proclaim our righteous rage and holy hope in the face of relentless attacks on LGBTQ+ lives. From the surge in anti-LGBTQ+ legislation to the erasure of our history and the targeting of trans youth, we are witnessing a coordinated effort to strip away our dignity, safety, and rights. But we refuse to be silent.
We invite all LGBTQ+ communities, people of faith, allies, and advocates to stand with us. If you are unable to join in-person, we encourage you to share this with your networks in the Greater DC area.
Register here for event updates: https://ow.ly/MtRI50Vl0mg
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4/13/25
Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) condemns bombing of Al-Ahli Hospital and demands Protection for the Christian Community and all in Gaza
On this blessed day of Palm Sunday, Christians around the world gather to worship and commemorate Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem during one of the most sacred times of year as Holy Week begins.
Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) condemns in the strongest possible terms the bombing of Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza. Al-Ahli is an Anglican institution and one of the oldest, continuously operating hospitals in Gaza. It is Gaza’s only Christian hospital and its only cancer treatment center. The bombing of the Anglican Al-Ahli Arab Hospital is a violation of the sacredness of life and it is especially abhorrent during this sacred time for Christians.
The deliberate targeting of a medical facility is a clear violation of international law—a war crime and a crime against humanity.
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Sensitive Locations, Sacred Spaces Prayer Vigil - 4/3 at 6:30pm
Join us for an interfaith prayer vigil on the eve of the first hearing of our historic our historic lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security's rescission of the sensitive locations memo. The vigil will take place on Thursday, April 3rd, at 6:30pm at National City Christian Church in Washington, DC. Together, we will gather in solidarity, lifting prayers for justice, compassion, and the protection of immigrant communities. All are welcome to stand with us in this moment of faith and resolve.
RSVP to attend here and invite others to join!
Thursday, April 3rd
6:30pm
National City Christian Church
5 Thomas Circle NW WDC 20005
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PC(USA) joins religious freedom lawsuit challenging ICE enforcement actions in churches
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Trans Day of Visibility Rally - 3/31 at 2:30pm
Join us March 31st for a faith community meetup ahead of the Trans Day of Visibility rally!
The Interfaith Alliance and partners will gather as an interfaith community at 2:30 pm in the United Methodist Building for initial speeches before joining our partners on the National Mall between 3rd & 4th Street at 4pm for the rally.
Because it is our moral obligation to join in solidarity with our trans siblings and rebuke attacks on their very right to exist!
Click here for details and to RSVP.
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Contact Congress to Protect the DC Budget - Thursday 3/27 at 10am
(Or make phone calls anytime this week!)
The House is back in session and we want to make sure the #DCLocalFundsAct is one of their top priorities. Join us on Tuesday and/or Thursday this week to visit Members of the House and make sure they know what this bill is, why it matters, and how much support it has. Sign up to join us on either day at freedcproject.org/house.
Not able to join us for visits? Get a call script and phone numbers for our priority members at that same link above. We're working to call every single Member of the House this week before Friday and you can help us make it happen.
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National Capital Presbytery is hosting bi-monthly zoom gatherings, In Times Such as Now. The series is intended to provide valued time for information sharing and colleague-to-colleague care.
The first Thursday of each month will be Listen and Pray with facilitation guided through scripture and prayer. The third Thursday of the month will be Listen and Learn sessions featuring real time updates and chances to share resources.
The Listen and Learn series is in partnership with Listen and Pray. The next zoom gathering will be with Listen and Pray on April 3 with NCP Clergy Care Team.
The schedule is as follows, always 12:00 noon – 1:00 pm with this zoom link:
Listen and Pray: 4/3; 5/1; 6/5
Listen and Learn: 3/20; 4/17; 5/15; 6/19
https://thepresbytery.zoom.us/j/83480642468?pwd=L4xDuESCY23YG8oHYOWEcDwdQCULTf.1
Meeting ID: 834 8064 2468
Passcode: 091764
If you have any questions, reach out to Rev. Tara Spuhler McCabe tspuhlermccabe@thepresbytery.org
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Come take a walk with us on Sunday 2/9 at 1pm (Meeting at Western Pres) and we’ll pray while we walk. Come and join a Mid-Week Morning Zoom Prayer Moment on Wednesday 2/12 at 7:30am (email Erin for zoom meeting info) and we’ll pray a lot. Let’s pray and take action together.
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Action Alert
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Washington Office has issued an Action Alert regarding Project 2025. The implementation of Project 2025 presents dangerous measures that harm the nation’s well-being. Its proposals align with several executive orders on numerous issues. Presbyterians, and all people of faith, must respond with an onslaught of pushback to ensure our voices are heard in Congress, the administration, and among the members of the President’s cabinet and staff.
Learn more: https://hubs.ly/Q035jWFf0
A Day of Prayer and Action for Immigrant Families with CAN
Participate in an in-person action to support immigrant families facing violence and the threat of mass deportations. The event is being organized by the Congregation Action Network (CAN) in partnership with Faith in Action and will be held at St. Mark's (Capitol Hill) Episcopal Church (301 A Street, SE) in Washington on Tuesday, February 11 at 10:30 AM.
You can register for the in-person event here.
Prominent faith leaders from many traditions, including Bishop Mark Seitz of the Diocese of El Paso, will lead an interfaith Day of Prayer and Action in Support of Immigrant Families. Its purpose is to lift up immigrant families in prayer and show public support from faith leaders for the need to protect families and communities from being torn apart by mass deportations.
The 90-minute action will consist of 3 parts:
a public dialogue between undocumented immigrants (or their family members) who are cherished members of our communities and faith leaders, with faith leaders listening and responding, from a pastoral and th here eological frame, to the stories shared by immigrants who are at risk. A message of welcome and solidarity to counter their demonization in so many outlets these days.
an interfaith prayer service
a call to action for faith communities
Some statements released by PC(USA) and partner agencies on recent executive orders:
Church World Service: Statement on Executive Actions Targeting Refugees
Advocacy Committee for LGBTQIA+ equity lambasts a Trump executive order
PC(USA) Advocacy Committee issues statement supporting Bishop Budde
General Assembly Committee on Representation has issued a statement on recent fear-based provocations about Diversity and Inclusion:
