Global climate crisis to serve as backdrop for Ecumenical Advocacy Days in Washington, D.C.
Theme invokes responsibility to take care of God’s Creation
LOUISVILLE — Ecumenical Advocacy Days returns to Washington, D.C., April 20-22, with a focus on “Protecting People, Peace and Planet.”
Starting with opening worship and ending with Lobby Day, EAD 2026 will bring together Christians from various faith traditions for inspiration, learning and a call to remind Congress of the need to care for everything that belongs to God.
“Given the many challenges we face, it is critical that people of faith come to Washington, D.C. to raise our voices,” according to promotional materials for the event. Psalm 24’s declaration that the Earth is the Lord’s and everything in it “reminds us that we are bound to one another in responsibility and can only be human together.”
The main venue for EAD 2026 is Capitol Hill United Methodist Church, 421 Seward Square SE. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is one of several co-sponsors.
Opening worship on Monday, April 20, will feature the Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson, general minister, president and chief executive officer of the United Church of Christ, who is set to preach that evening.
Thompson is the first woman — and first woman of African descent — to serve as UCC’s leader, and she was elected president of the World Communion of Reformed Churches last fall in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Thompson, author of the poetry collection “Drums in Our Veins,” has a passion for justice and equity that motivates her to decry the marginalization of people of African descent as well as the oppression of people from other backgrounds. She has championed global racial justice, gender justice and human rights.
In an address to the WCRC General Council last year, Thompson showed sensitivity for the plight of refugees as well as the state of the environment, noting that the international climate crisis has led to the displacement of people and spawned a plethora of natural disasters.
Yet, “this is not the time to be afraid,” she noted in the address. “Instead, the witness of the ancestors, their justice-seeking actions and their commitment to God are a source of motivation for us as Christians in a world with new issues emerging daily and challenges that seem to require superhuman strength.”
She also spoke of hope, endurance and how one can draw courage and strength from the “presence of God and the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Along with hearing from Thompson, participants will be able to take in a Tuesday, April 21, slate of activities, such as workshops, a panel discussion and closing worship. Scheduled speakers for that day include Bishop Dwayne Royster, executive director of Faith in Action, who will deliver the keynote address during the opening plenary, and Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, who’s set to lead closing worship.
McKenzie recently affirmed, “The Lord still answers prayer. … After we pray, we get up off our knees, roll up our sleeves and go to work!”
In that vein, EAD 2026 concludes on Wednesday, April 22, with an all-day Lobby Day, coinciding with Earth Day, that will occur at the church and on Capitol Hill.
Registration is now open, and April 6 is the deadline for the early bird rate. If you’re a student or person with a limited income, you may be able to obtain a scholarship by filling out this form.
Interested in the environment? Read about PC(USA)’s program of Sustainable Living and Earth Care Concerns here and learn about Earth Care Congregations here.
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