Sisters and Brothers,
A few final pieces of information about the National Council of Churches’ rally in Washington DC ACT NOW: Unite to End Racism.
Details & Program
Over the past week, several updates have been added to the website: www.rally2endracism.org
On Tuesday evening, April 3, there will be an Orthodox Holy Tuesday worship service at 6 pm at the National Cathedral of Saint Sophia, 2815 36th & Mass Ave. NW. The service will be followed by an ecumenical gathering, beginning around 8 pm. Both events are open to all.
On Wednesday morning, April 4, the rally begins at 7 am with a Silent Walk from the MLK Memorial to the National Mall. You are invited to gather west of the MLK Memorial at the polo fields near the MLK bookstore (West Basin Drive, SW). The silent walk will be followed by an interfaith prayer service, and then the rally. You can find the full program for the day here: rally2endracism.org/program/
ELCA Presence
There will be an ELCA tent on the north side of the national mall. Please look for signage when you arrive at the rally site. Churchwide staff will be on hand to welcome folks and share resources. Bishop Eaton plans to be at the tent from 10-11 am.
Please remember that ELCA folks are encouraged to wear their “God’s Work. Our Hands” (or bright yellow) t-shirts, and to bring along synod and congregational banners and other ways of highlighting our presence at the rally.
FAQS
There will be food trucks and portable restroom facilities lining the rally site, as well as café options in the Smithsonian Museums. Other FAQs are addressed here: rally2endracism.org/faqs
Other Ways to Participate
Pray as individuals, congregations, and with ecumenical and inter-religious partners.
Set Free by Truth, Lenten Devotions prepared by the four heads of communion of the Anglican/Episcopal and Lutheran Churches in North America, reflecting on matters of truth-telling and racial justice. www.episcopalchurch.org/ecumenical-lenten-reflections
In Times Like These…A Pan-African Christian Devotional for Public Policy Engagement, an ecumenical collection developed by Bread for the World on the occasion of the 50thanniversary of the martyrdom of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Poor People’s Campaign. www.bread.org/blog/times-these-call-unity-and-freedom
View the events live as individuals or in groups. The events will be made available live through the ELCA Facebook page and other social media, through NCC social media, and at www.rally2endracism.org
Engage as ELCA and with ecumenical and inter-religious partners in ongoing acts of truth-telling and racial justice.
ELCA Social Statement, Freed in Christ: Race, Ethnicity and Culture
ELCA Racial Justice Ministries Resources
ELCA-AME Congregational Resource
ELCA-AMEZ Statement of Mission
Peace,
