I was deeply moved by the following:
From: "Rabbi Arthur Waskow" <
awaskow@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To:
Subject: [PnaiOrPhila] Faith Leaders Challenge White House
Date:
Mon, 3 Jun 2019 09:26:38 -0400
Faith Leaders Challenge White House
#JeremiahJustiiceJune12
Dear friends of compassion, justice, peace, and healing --
I am writing to share more details of the #JeremiahJusticeJune12
gathering of faith leaders at the White House, led by Rev. Dr. William
Barber. I very much hope you will join in that gathering.
We are facing an extremely grievous attack by those in power on two
sacred Covenants.
When the rulers of our society violate, scorn, and shatter both our
sacred Covenants, it is time for the upholders of those Covenants to bring
our Prophetic Calling into action. Time to challenge and resist the
arrogant and cruel.
One Covenant is the Constitution -- a Covenant agreed on by the American
people to organize our governmental process so that it leans toward
justice. Despite its long evolution toward expanding and deepening
democracy, it still has faults that undercut democracy.
But it is the most democratic elements in it (such as the free press,
freedom of religion, equal protection of the laws, and Congressional power
of the purse and of declaring or refusing to declare war) that are now
under assault from the White House.
The other Covenant is made up of the deep teachings of all the great
religious traditions that give a grounding of justice, compassion, and love
to the content of our governmental decisions.
When the rulers of our society violate, scorn, and shatter both our
sacred Covenants, it is time for the upholders of those Covenants to bring
our Prophetic Calling into action. Time to challenge and resist the
arrogant and cruel.
The spiritual leaders of our country need to come together to say No! to
these assaults on our covenantal truth -- and I hope you'll join with us.
"Faith leaders" is a broader category than "clergy." Nuns are in Roman
Catholic parlance not called "clergy" - but they are certainly faith
leaders. Islam does not consider "imams "clergy, though they are certainly
leaders of the faith community. Quakers will often say that either they
have no clergy or all of them are clergy - certainly many are among our
most dedicated faith leaders. Jewish women who are taught in the emerging
tradition of Kohanot - the guild of "Hebrew priestesses" - do not call
themselves "clergy," but they are certainly faith leaders. And within many
many congregations of the faith-filled are some who clearly lead without a
title. All faith leaders are welcome!
On June 12, faith leaders wearing the sacred garb of their traditions
will gather in Washington DC, beginning at 9 am, at the "New York Avenue
Presbyterian Church," four blocks from the White House, at 1313 New York
Avenue NW.
At the church there will be explanations of the procession to the White
House, of the legal plans for those who choose to risk arrest by
persevering in nonviolent protest even if they are ordered to stop, and of
the program. There will be prayers. And at 10:30, we will recite a litany
of challenge and affirmation as we go forth into the faith-filled
procession to the White House.
By clicking to
https://www.breachrepairers.org/moralwitnesswednesday
you
will find two forms of support and participation in this action. One is
signing a petitionary Letter of Spiritual Challenge and Affirmation, and
the other is signing up to take part in the June 12 action. You can choose
one or both of them. And if you choose to be present on June 12, you can
choose whether to risk arrest or not.
I mentioned the Litany we will join in as we begin our faith-filled
procession to the White House. Whether you can come to Washington or not on
June 12, I suggest you share it with others in your own communities --
perhaps reading it together in conjunction with Jumaa prayer services this
coming Friday, with prayer services for Shabbat and Shavuot this coming
weekend, and with this coming Sunday services for Sabbath and Pentecost.
Here is the Litany:
To the present President and all Governmental Officials:
The Covenant calls you to nurture children, not cage them.
We call you to join in the Covenant.
The Covenant calls you to heal all the sick.
We call you to join in the Covenant.
The Covenant calls you to ensure pure air and water.
We call you to join in the Covenant.
The Covenant calls you to welcome the Stranger.
We call you to join in the Covenant.
The Covenant calls you to lift up the Forgotten.
We call you to join in the Covenant.
The Covenant calls you to repair us from racism.
We call you to join in the Covenant.
The Covenant calls you to respect women's choices.
We call you to join in the Covenant.
The Covenant calls you to empower the poor.
We call you to join in the Covenant.
The Covenant calls you to restrain the rich.
We call you to join in the Covenant.
The Covenant calls you to defend all faiths.
We call you to join in the Covenant.
The Covenant calls you to affirm the free press.
We call you to join in the Covenant.
The Covenant calls you to accord everyone equal protection of the laws.
We call you to join in the Covenant.
The Covenant calls you to beat bombs into plowshares.
We call you to join in the Covenant.
The Covenant calls you to heal Earth, not to burn her.
We call you to join in the Covenant.
The Covenant calls you to speak only truth.
We call you to join in the Covenant.
The Covenant commands you to fulfill all these teachings
Or bring disaster on us all, dishonor on yourself.
The Covenant commands us to resist your misdeeds,
For where some are guilty, all are responsible.
We join in commitment to uphold the Covenant
And act to create the Beloved Community!
Amen, Ameyn, Amin!
