Why do we Rise Up for Love + Justice?
“Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice. Justice at its best is love correcting everything that stands against love.” - Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?
The Racial/Social Justice ministry team is thrilled that Council has approved a series of Rise Up for Love + Justice standouts on the front lawn of the church after worship during 2026-2027. This initiatives supports our church’s commitment to “Be an active presence and voice in furthering social justice and equity.” (Strategic Plan 4.2)
So why stand out? In addition to being followers of Jesus’ gospel of love, we believe standing out and standing up does at least three things:
Protects Human Dignity: Championing justice ensures that all individuals are treated fairly and are not marginalized by arbitrary biases.
Fosters True Community: When we act to eliminate the things that cause harm to others, we actively dismantle systemic barriers and build inclusive environments.
Drives Meaningful Change: Combining empathy with actionable courage is a potent instrument for making a positive difference in our community.
The idea for our standouts was conceived by the Racial/Social Justice ministry team as part of its effort to counter the increasing impact of Christian nationalism in the U.S. We stand on the teachings of Jesus, which center on love of God and neighbor, including everyone – regardless of religious beliefs or affiliations. You can learn more about “THIS Is Christianity – Love All Ways” at https://thisischristianity.org/.
Given our prime location on busy Main Street and the size of our lawn, this is a unique opportunity for us to make our support visible -- much like we do when we donate our time in places around the community. When we are greeted with happy honks and waves from passersby, we experience a sense of being part of a larger community – one that extends well beyond our church walls.
So join us! Bring your own sign or use one we'll have on hand (no political signs, please). After worship, we'll move out to the front lawn for an hour of fun and fellowship. Children must be accompanied by parents. Refreshments will be provided.
And who knows? Someone passing by might just be inspired to come to Sunday worship and see what we’re all about.
2026-27 standout dates:
July 19, 2026
August 16, 2026
September 20, 2026
October 18, 2026
November 15, 2026
March 14, 2027
April 18, 2027
May 16, 2027 (Pentecost Sunday)
Resources:
“THIS Is Christianity – Love All Ways.” https://thisischristianity.org/.
“Justice and Fairness,” Manuel Velasquez, Claire Andre, Thomas Shanks, S.J., and Michael J. Meyer, Santa Clara Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, Santa Clara University. https://www.scu.edu/ethics/ethics-resources/ethical-decision-making/justice-and-fairness/
The King Center, Atlanta, GA. https://thekingcenter.org/belove/
Center for Action and Contemplation. https://cac.org/daily-meditations/justice-is-love-in-action-2022-10-21/
“The Fierce Courage and Love to Stand for Justice: A Keynote On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day,” Ilsa Govan. https://www.culturesconnecting.com/post/2018/04/15/the-fierce-courage-and-love-to-stand-for-justice