I am grateful that for 10 years I have found comfort and hope within the United Church of Christ (UCC), an open and affirming denomination and a national partner with the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival and a Third Reconstruction. The Poor People’s campaign also has strengthened my sense of hope and given me comfort because when people of all backgrounds come together to change the policies that feed systems of racism, poverty, ecological devastation, militarism, denial of healthcare, and the distorted moral narrative of Christian nationalism, we become a new unsettling, non-violent force because we know in our hearts that change is possible.
My heart dreams of the day when UCC churches and people of all faith traditions, or no faith, from all backgrounds, show up en masse in Washington, D.C. to demand an end to the systemic evils of empire, to end the insanity we are experiencing nearly every day. We can do it together — we need a fusion movement — led by the poor, low-wage workers and their allies to become the massive moral force necessary to change oppressive systems that hurt all of us. There will be an opportunity for all to participate in building a fusion movement in Massachusetts later this month, as Springfield hosts the Massachusetts Poor People’s Campaign to plan for two events: A Moral Action Congress meeting in D.C. in June this year and for a Massive Moral March on Washington, D.C. in June 2024. Everyone is invited to spend an afternoon learning, planning, strategizing, sharing a meal together and have some fun too as. May we know beloved community together. To register please visit the Massachusetts Poor People’s Campaign Facebook page. Forward together, not one step back.
Judith Schiavone
Amherst