Rise up, rise up!
Christian leaders in the United States have launched two parallel campaigns for a moral re-engagement in public policies.
The Poor People’s Campaign is a “National Call for Moral Revival [that is] is uniting tens of thousands of people across the country to challenge the evils of systemic racism, poverty, the war economy, ecological devastation and the nation’s distorted morality.” The campaign is inspired by the work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, and has launched 40 days of action The Poor People’s Campaign.
Campaign leadership includes Revs. Liz Theoharis of New York and William Barber of North Carolina. Full information is here: https://www.poorpeoplescampaign.org
At the same time, Reclaiming Jesus is an initiative that includes the Most Rev. Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, and many other Christian leaders in the United States.
“When politics undermines our theology, we must examine that politics. The church’s role is to change the world through the life and love of Jesus Christ. The government’s role is to serve the common good by protecting justice and peace, rewarding good behavior while restraining bad behavior (Romans 13). When that role is undermined by political leadership, faith leaders must stand up and speak out.”
The full text of Reclaiming Jesus is here: http://www.reclaimingjesus.org
On May 24th, Primate Michael and many others will gather for a vigil at a Washington Church and make a candle-lit procession to the White House.
Over three weeks starting May 20th, Reclaiming Jesus will be the focus of the regular pre-worship forum at 9 am at Church of the Holy Trinity – Trinity Square. We’ll be considering the six points in the statement, and ask whether there are others that might be of special relevance in Canada.
