• This Month on WestView News
  • Featured
  • Monthly Columns
  • Editorials
  • Articles
  • Briefly Noted
  • WestViews
  • Photos
  • Front Page
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
  • EXTRA
WESTVIEW NEWS
Menu
  • This Month on WestView News
  • Featured
  • Monthly Columns
  • Editorials
  • Articles
  • Briefly Noted
  • WestViews
  • Photos
 › Articles › Faith & Politics: Church of the Village Launches Series Featuring Progressive Faith Leaders

Faith & Politics: Church of the Village Launches Series Featuring Progressive Faith Leaders

Web Admin 02/03/2021     Articles

THE CHURCH OF THE VILLAGE. Photo by Lead Pastor, Rev. Jeff Wells.

By Rev. Alexis Lillie

In the rollercoaster that was the two weeks between the Capitol riot and the inauguration, many of us experienced a wide range of emotions. Coincidentally, at Church of the Village we had just launched a virtual preaching series at the beginning of January focused on “Faith and Politics” from a progressive, radically inclusive perspective. The series features voices like Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis of the Poor People’s Campaign, Rev. Dr. Jim Forbes, senior minister emeritus of Riverside Church, and Rev. Dr. Traci West, professor of social ethics at Drew University Theological School, along with Church of the Village pastors.

As we watched the mob storm the Capitol Building—some participants carrying banners and signs linking Trump, God, and the Christian religion—it felt very relevant that the Church of the Village continue our long tradition of prophetic dissent. It seemed important to do the honest and difficult work of naming our place in a religious tradition that has condoned racism and white supremacy while we also denounce these forces and seek to dismantle them.

And it feels crucial to recognize that the intersection of faith and politics can also evoke feelings of fear, disgust, determination, hopefulness, and more. As progressive people of faith we are drawn to engage with and impact “the political community,” rooting ourselves in the gospel message to love our neighbors, do justice, and care for the vulnerable. How can we build bridges across our current divides and work toward the flourishing of all people while centering those on the margins? How can our voices and actions move society toward this vision of love and justice for humanity? How can we be part of a religious tradition that has not done this work well, while also standing apart and forging a new way?

We began this thorny work by hearing from our lead pastor, Rev. Jeff Wells, the Sunday after the riot, as we gathered virtually to lament and reflect on “The Politics of God.” Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis joined us the following Sunday to talk about Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy as “A Moral Revolution of Values,” which calls us to act on the belief that the elimination of poverty is possible. All of our worship video recordings are available at Facebook.com/churchofthevillage/videos, and most sermon manuscripts are available at https://www.churchofthevillage.org/sermons.

In the coming weeks the community will be led by additional voices offering up their perspectives on how faith and politics can justly intersect. Associate Pastor Rev. Alexis Lillie will speak on gender justice, using ancient wisdom in the fight against patriarchy; on Feb 7th we’ll hear from Rev. Dr. Traci West; on Feb. 14th lead pastor Jeff Wells will finish out the series. 

Join the Church of the Village on these dates, and any Sundays, at 10:30 a.m. EST via Zoom (https://zoom.us/j/262331126) or at facebook.com/churchofthevillage; more information on this series and all our ministries can be found at our website www.churchofthevillage.org and our Facebook page. Email pastoralexis@churchofthevillage.org with any questions!

 Previous Post

February News and Events from Project NYC and the West 13th Street Alliance

Next Post 

Joan’s Shanghai

Related Articles

A Dynamic Theatrical Family Affair: From Florida to the Village and the Jersey Shore
Ilona 101: A Course in Philosophy of Life
Misfolded Proteins and Disease
Firefighters
Celebrating the Bicentennial of the Greek War of Independence
The Role of a Community Newspaper in Curing AIDS
A Tale of Two Economies
Super Hero IX: California Yankee in Kings County Court Street
Do You Feel Isolated? Have You Gained Weight?
Keeping Love
Pronto Translations: Loving Languages is Good Business
Village Cigars at Sheridan Square May Be Listed for Sale
New Owner Steve Cohen Breathes New Life into the Mets
City Council Candidate Brought Synchronous Learning to Her District…For Free
Voters for Animal Rights Endorses Erik Bottcher for City Council
David v. Goliath: Schwartz Sues to Stop Election Petitioning
Dr. Fauci Moves to Cure AIDS
Embrace the Absurd
My Trip to Bellevue
Joan’s Shanghai
Lisa and Harry—Such Interesting People Live on Christopher Street
Love Conquers Time
Cupid and Psyche: The Ancient Blueprint for our Modern Valentine’s Day
Born To Do It
Notes From Away: Tempest to Calm
The 2021st Amendment: Opening a Restaurant Amidst the Second Repeal of Prohibition
A Chicken Delivered
An Insight into David Kessler
A Voice for the People
Erik Bottcher Offers New Vision for Sanitation in Council District 3
Karen Rempel at UN Gala Honoring Joe Biden in 2017
Catch and Release—Chapter One—Meeting Keith
Hummel
Warhol and Wallowitch —a Gay Affair
Using Speech Recognition to Control Your Desktop and Programs
How Do I Love Thee? Let Me Count the Compliments
Our Way Out of This: I Think Not
From Ancient Sparta to Modern Denmark: The Rationalization of Eugenics
James E. Murphy, Consultant

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

March 2021

Subscribe Now

March 2021

Donate Now

Read the Archives

Sign up for WestView News EXTRA

Copyright © WestView News