Two weekends ago, over three million people joined in World Pride events across the city of Washington, D.C. Thousands of LGBTQIA+ advocates and allies filled the streets with queer pride and joy, including a 1,000-foot rainbow flag that stretched for blocks down the center of the city. It was a beautiful, exuberant couple of days. UCC churches and advocates showed up to carry signs and messages of “Love Wins!” and “Love is Louder!” across the city. Thousands marched in the historic “International Rally + March on Washington for Freedom” in protest of the policies of exclusion and erasure being promoted by some in D.C.
Just one week later, the streets of D.C. were shaking again. This time, the streets were filled with a $45 million military parade that included 6,000 uniformed troops and 60-ton tanks with helicopters and bombers overhead. While some viewed this display with patriotic pride at American military strength, millions gathered at “No Kings” rallies across the nation saw it as a shameful display of autocracy and adoration of a Pentagon budget that accounts for over half of our federal discretionary spending.
It has been a dramatic, head-spinning few weeks here in our nation’s capital.
Yet, there was another, less public moment that took place in between these two major rallies. It was the closing prayer offered during a “Pentecost Witness for a Moral Budget” rally on June 10. There, faith leaders and advocates gathered to decry the “Big Beautiful Bill” that will push as many as 16 million people off essential health care (Medicaid) and cut $300 billion from food stamps (SNAP). The bill would specifically impact vulnerable communities such as the LGBTQ+ community and veterans that rely disproportionately on such programs to survive.
At the rally, one soft voice stood out to me above the rest. When given the microphone to close the event, Bishop Mariann Budde began to sing the simple and humble words of the hymn “For Everyone Born” by Shirley Murray:
“For everyone born, a place at the table, for everyone born clean water and bread, a shelter, a space, a safe place for growing, for everyone born, a star overhead…”
I could not hold back the tears. It was a simple yet profound protest against the cruelty of this budget bill. The words portray the “kindom” I believe God calls us to build. A world in which we take pride not in our bombs, but in ensuring there is enough bread for all. A world in which all have water, and shelter, and healthcare, and education, a world in which all are affirmed for who they are as beautiful children of God. As I sang these words on the Capitol steps, advocating for policies that benefit “everyone born,” I was reminded too that God delights even in us. God delights in you.
Today, despite it all, let us delight with God in each other, in the miracle of each of us. Let us find joy in the work of compassion and peace. Let us take courage in the co-creation of God’s “kindom” together, and build a just world for all—for everyone born.
“…and God will delight when we are creators of justice, justice and joy!”
