We are in a global crisis, a pandemic, and most Americans recognize that. It will take all of us to save our nation, our world, our democracy, and the integrity of our faith, and stand with the most vulnerable in this urgent time — especially as we adjust to social distancing and even quarantine, and many of us juggle childcare and work.
Sojourners’ vocation, to find new and creative ways to deepen community and relationships even without physical proximity to each other and build solidarity with those on the margins, was made for a time like this. And I cannot count the number of people who, just in the last week, told me that they need the voice and vision of Sojourners now more than ever, for spiritual health — essential to public health — and the inspiration and sustenance they need as they work for justice.
And that has made me realize how much Sojourners needs your support, as much as you need ours.
Without your direct and immediate financial support, Sojourners cannot respond and adapt to this new and changing landscape. As Sojourners’ operations go remote and virtual, our advocacy and mobilizing work pivots to digital, and our publications focus on cultivating justice and healing by engaging in courageous conversation from afar.
Help us share more stories, resources, and actions in this crisis
Your support gives us the bandwidth we need to work with you and equip you to:
- Build community, even if you can’t gather. In our magazine, online publication, and other platforms, we are telling stories and offering examples of how to be the church in a whole new way, inspiring and sustaining each other while deepening our sense of relationship to each other and our faith. And we are helping each other answer questions like the ones people are asking me: How do we do Lent and Easter virtually? How can we best serve the elderly, who are most at risk for this virus, even if we can’t visit them in person? How do we take the time saved from travel and events to be even more attentive to our loved ones and the most vulnerable?
- Advocate to members of Congress, asking them to act swiftly and compassionately to address the impacts of the coronavirus on our public health system, economy, and elections. Thousands of Sojourners like you responded to our call for action yesterday to remind our elected officials of their responsibility first and foremost to the people of this country, to address the ever-growing impacts of the growing pandemic. This health and economic crisis is revealing the inequity in all our systems and could open the door to real change.
- Build even more deeply a movement for a free and fair election in 2020. We know that the containment measures that are necessary for public health must not interfere with a fair election in 2020, and neither must efforts to disenfranchise and suppress minority voters. Our Lawyers and Collars voter protection program is adjusting its strategies for more online-focused mobilizing, but our vision is the same — to guarantee that people of color and other vulnerable communities can vote as readily as any other citizens in our country. That is far more than political; it is the protection of the imago dei —image of God — in our nation.
The issues at stake right now are not partisan — they are confessional. And questions of confession have continued to frame my conversations: How can we understand what it means to confess Christ and reclaim Jesus in this critical year and beyond? How do we go deeper and closer, even when public health requires we stay physically distant from one another?
Many of us are experiencing fear from all sides. Meanwhile, Jesus tells us that “perfect love casts out fear,” and Timothy says that “the spirit of fear” is only overcome by “the power of love and a sound mind.” Now more than ever, we must exhibit the love that Jesus taught: courageous love that is transformational, targeted, and willing to take risks. And many tell me that the perspective of Sojourners on issues and events every day helps to keep their minds sound and hearts open.
As we all are trying to respond to this unexpected and unpredictable moment, I believe the faith factor needs to be considered essential to our collective health and common good. It would be easy to let social distancing lead to social isolation, lack of proximity reduce solidarity, and hunkering down with family decrease community. But we all have an opportunity, even in this remote and distant space, to lift up facts over fear and lean into loving our neighbors, for the protection of all.
I hope you will take this opportunity to choose to sojourn with us by making a financial gift today.
Together in the prophet Micah’s challenge to justice, kindness, and humility,
Jim Wallis
Founder and President, Sojourners
P.S. As I’ve traveled around the country for Sojourners, for nearly 50 years, I’m told time and time again that you are grateful for Sojourners and that you feel less alone because of the mission of Sojourners. I feel less alone because of you, too. I’m grateful for our solidarity, especially now. Please give whatever you are able to now, in order to keep our Sojourners’ mission stronger together.
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