People of faith and conscience are gearing up for a Week of Moral Action for Climate Justice during Pope Francis’s visit to Washington, DC, September 22-24, and Unitarian Universalists are right in the thick of it, organized by Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice in the National Capital Region!

Are you in the DC area or within train or carpool distance? Don’t miss the powerful events for Unitarian Universalists and all other people of faith and conscience with similar values. RSVP to the Facebook event for all three of these events:

UU Service and Interfaith Prayer Vigil for the Earth, Wednesday, September 23
Service: 4pm, All Souls Church, Unitarian
Vigil: 7pm, John Marshall Place Park

The Franciscan Action Network is hosting a multifaith prayer vigil starting at 7pm and continuing all night for those who are moved to stay, until 7am the next morning for the gathering preceding Pope Francis’s historic address to Congress.

Taking place on Yom Kippur, a day of atonement, the vigil will invite all present to atone for past deeds committed against the Earth and its people, and answer a call to action, animated by love. Music will be interspersed throughout, and faith and civic leaders will offer messages of hope, justice, and peace as attendees also bear witness to firsthand accounts of the crisis of values that is destroying our biosphere.

Unitarian Universalists will gather at All Souls Church, Unitarian, at 4pm for inspiration and a service in preparation for the vigil and the rally the following day. Snacks will be served. At 5:45 we will make a two-mile procession down 16th Street to join the vigil.

The full twelve-hour vigil will be kept going after the initial ceremony by different faith groups each leading an hour of mostly silent meditation. Unitarian Universalists are currently scheduled for the 9-10pm hour. RSVP to the Facebook event for updates.

Moral Action on Climate Rally, Thursday, September 24
7am-12:30pm, National Mall between 4th & 7th Streets, NW

Organized by Moral Action on Climate, thousands of people will gather on the National Mall raising up the messages of the Papal Encyclical Laudato Si, acknowledging the moral significance of climate change. Pope Francis’s address to the joint session of Congress will be broadcast on jumbotrons along with the rally program which will take place before and after the address. The rally will feature leaders from faith, social justice, and environmental communities, with music and performance until 12:30. Speakers will include Rev. Rob Hardies, Senior Minister of All Souls Church, Unitarian, DC, and Rev. Olson Peebles, Faith in Action Minister at the UU Church of Arlington, VA. 

All Unitarian Universalists and allies will gather and attend the rally as a collective block. RSVP to the Facebook event to get details and updates as they develop.

“Celebrate the Earth” Intergenerational Gathering, Friday, September 25
6:30-10:30pm, Cedar Lane UU Church

Join Rev. Fred Small, UU minister, folk musician, and environmental activist, and Rev. Abhi Janamanchi, Senior Minister of Cedar Lane UU Church, for a not-to-be-missed Earth Celebration for people of all ages. This celebration will feature an Earth ritual ceremony, music, and interactive mandala-building—as well as vegan appetizers and dessert, dancing, and even more music afterwards. All are welcome! RSVP to the Facebook event for updates.

If you are from the DC area, check out the full list of September climate justice events from Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice in the National Capital Region.

Not able to make it to the events in Washington, DC? You can still add your voice to this week of moral action by hosting a solidarity event in your community. Register your faithful event with the Franciscan Action Network and add it to the Moral Action on Climate map of solidarity events. You can also use the Commit2Respond event page to publicize your event.