Together, we can do hard things
We invite you to practice this breath meditation before reading the
statement below.
~ Breathe ~
Imagine “a future when justice is realized.”
~ Breathe ~
What comes to mind when you hear, “where all people experience liberation”?
~ Breathe ~
What do you feel in your body when you hear “where all people experience profound peace and expansive equity?”
~ Breathe ~
What memory or story is sparked when you hear “where all people experience joy-filled human flourishing?”
As you continue on through this statement, we invite you to use this breath
meditation as often as is helpful to you.
For many, today and the coming days will be hard. It is hard to imagine what the future will hold, breeding fear, sadness, anger, and uncertainty. The outcome of this election is scary because it is not a catalyst of transformational change – change that answers the question “who benefits first” with “those most impacted.”
Throughout this presidential campaign season, both mainline candidates have debated the theoreticals of our immigration system and defended the great U.S. legacy of war, putting targets on our migrant neighbors and failing to take accountability for the impacts of our international policies that lead to forced migration. MLK, Jr. described our nation as “the greatest purveyor of violence in the world today.” Regardless of the outcome of this election, this critique holds true.
Throughout the Council’s history, we have worked toward a future when justice is realized, where all people experience liberation, profound peace, expansive equity, and joy-filled human flourishing. This is possible because the Council is a collective. Together, we can do hard things and navigate hard times…because we already have!
Shortly after the 2016 election, the Council reignited our sanctuary movement and deepened our investment in support of migrants. Today, this work continues through the leadership of Grupo de Solidaridad. Grupo, led by organizer Marina Ortiz, is a community of migrant leaders who are navigating firsthand the inhumane and unjust immigration system that promises to get worse with each successive presidency. Grupo’s work shapes how Seattle, King County, and Washington direct funds and policies to support migrants, while centering the communal need for convivencia (celebratory coexistence). Administrations are fickle, so we will continue to leverage our institutional power to center and amplify migrant voices. This power is only stronger when faith leaders and their communities join us in following the leadership of those directly impacted.
Through our fifth Faith Land Discernment Cohort, led by E.N. West, we are developing and strengthening a network of faith leaders and communities to practice community stewardship of land, curbing displacement and investing in equitable development across our region. Through a land transfer to a historically red-lined community, developing affordable housing for immigrants and refugees, and creating low-barrier access to space, the Faith Land network is cultivating collective power. While remarkable single acts in themselves, this work is not a one-time, localized event. Our network is investing in deep relationships with Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) community groups, so that when members of our community need support, we stand with them and follow their leadership toward transformational change in our region.
In the past year, we have navigated a significant shift in the values and priorities of the Seattle City Council. In May, we saw this new city council attack the Equitable Development Initiative. Mobilizing our collective power, FLI faith communities came alongside BIPOC communities across Seattle to push back and protect these community investments. This fall, we are joining the collective pushback against increased spending on policing and punishment at the cost of severe cuts in human services and community investments. We are clear that a budget is a moral document, and bears witness to the values of our city through public investment. Therefore, we want to see a budget that reflects the values of community care and policies that create more progressive revenue. Our investments in relationship and solidarity have withstood and will continue to withstand this regressive change in administration.
Too often the first and only response from faith communities during hard times is thoughts and prayers. As we navigate the next days, weeks, months, and years - may our thoughts, prayers, and vigils become the foundations to the actions we must take to create change in our community. Over the course of history, people of faith and conscience have done hard things and navigated hard times. During this time of fear, sadness, anger, and uncertainty, we hold fast to the reality that together…we can do hard things.
Together we will hold on to hope and organize for a future when justice is realized!
In hope, in prayer, in power,
Tara (they) & Joey (he)
Co-Executive Directors
Church Council of Greater Seattle