Happy Pride everyone!
My staff had the chance to hang out this week. We talked vision, mission, and calling. What does God require of us right now?
Right now is hard. The news overwhelms. My social media feed is depressing. So many hurting people—a baby boy killed because his was accuse of taking diapers she needed. Policing on steroids, teen punched in the face, hair pulled. A beautiful young Black women found unalived hanging from a tree. And Trans and Queer siblings doubting their safety and worth because of bigotry.
And that’s just here. In our global neighborhood, unspeakable violence is happening to people all over the globe. It pisses me off and breaks my heart.
When I am sad, and I am; when I am angry—I run for comfort, even while working hard. I am comforted by Middle Church and my people. There is no community more dedicated to feeding folks with food and nourishing them with love. We take food to the park and make microgrants to help folks make it through. We teach our children the power of Just Love. We are out in the streets for No Kings and voting rights. We are doing reparations work and reclaiming dignity and solidarity.
Beloved, are you looking for a community that will love you just as you are, that will root for you and pray with and for you? Do you want a safe and brave space to practice being human? A multiethnic, queer and straight place trying to love the hell out of the world? Come be with us. You are welcome.
Pride Sunday is going to be off the chain! Great music, preaching and love-lived-out-loud and then marching afterward. https://www.middlechurch.org/event/worship-celebration-19-14-11/ .
In this 250 anniversary of the experiment called the United States of America, we are suspicious about flag waving, but we are waving queer and gay and trans flags. We are waving our hands in the air for all who fight for liberation. We are organizing with colleagues and friends to think about what the Next 250 can be like.
I am desperate, and I think you are too, for a culture in which the promises the founders made for white land-owning men are facts for all of us I want there to be a land of the free, and a home of the brave. I want us to stand together and march toward love and liberation together. This fall, October 23-25, there is going to be a pre-midterm, bad-ass gathering of some of the most amazing thought leaders of our nation, working together to save our democracy and build a global neighborhood based on love. You gotta come!! Look at this! and COME!!!
https://www.freedomrisingconference.com/
Oct 23-25, 2026 MIDDLE CHURCH, NYC & ONLINE
In the Spirit of Revolution, on the way to the midterms, we gather for three days reflecting on this moment, dreaming the world we want, and loving ourselves fiercely along the way.
Eleven days before the midterms. Three days to rehearse the world we refuse to lose.
As our nation turns 250 years old, it can feel like much of our dream
of a multi-faith, multi-ethnic, gender-inclusive democracy has turned
to dust. How did we get here; what can we learn from our past stories
as we imagine new ones? What are the spiritual practices required
to repair and sustain us in moments of despair? Can we ignite a
revolution with vision, voice, and vote?
If you’ve been told the church has no room for you, this is for you.
If you’re a young organizer who hasn’t slept since November 2025, this is for you.
If you left the faith and the faith still won’t leave you, this is for you.
If you’re trans and tired of being a debate, this is for you.
If you’re a divinity student wondering if you can stay, this is for you.
If you’re a forty-year veteran who needs to be reminded why, this is for you.
THREE DAYS
Understanding the stories that got us here. A keynote and a panel on history, white Christian nationalism, and the persistence of racism and xenophobia plus how the love of money fuels systemic harm. Art experience Friday evening.
The stories of tomorrow. A keynote and panels on narrative change and how art moves the movement. We dream wild dreams grounded in real neighborhood organizing. There will be dancing.
The practices that sustain us. A keynote and a panel on Ubuntu, interrelatedness, and fierce love of self and neighbor. A multifaith worship celebration, and food for body and soul.
Kaliswa Brewster-Genesis Be-Edgar Villanueva-Traci Blackmon-Lucas Johnson-Trevor Smith-Natalie Renee Perkins-Macky Alston-Amanda Hambrick-Tiq Milan
If you can afford a full priced ticket, that’s how you support this movement. Your contribution helps sustain this work and makes it possible for others to be part of it.
If you identify as a student, organizer, or artist, we’ve got you. We’re offering a $79 in-person 3-day ticket to support your presence, your voice, and your work in this space.
Your Ticket Gets You:
In-person 3-day experience
Full access to all sessions, art, worship, and food
Community building and networking opportunities
Experience the full program in-person and access all online recordings for 30 days
PRICES INCREASE JULY 5
AVAILABLE THROUGH OCTOBER 25
Your Ticket Gets You:
Full access to every keynote and panel
Streamed live to wherever you are
Access to all session recordings for 30 days after the event
AVAILABLE THROUGH OCTOBER 25
Sponsored By
Preparing ethical leaders for a just society
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