The service, entitled “For Such a Time as This: A Prophetic Response to America’s Defining Moment,” was held on the same day as the inauguration of president Donald J. Trump’s second term. The gathering united faith leaders, community advocates, and people of goodwill, committed to amplifying justice, equity, and love in the face of divisive and regressive forces. After greetings from leaders of many faith traditions and lively music, Bishop William J. Barber II, president and senior lecturer, Repairers of the Breach, and professor of Public Theology for Yale Divinity, issued a “Moral Call to Action.” He began by warning the congregants that he might ask some strange questions. “Don’t get mad—just think about them,” he said. “What if Trump is just a footman and not the horses, and what if we make him the reason we organize—and we actually commit idolatry because America had problems before this inauguration?” After all—that’s how Trump got there, said Barber. “Trump is a symptom, only a symptom—and what if we already have vision?” Barber asked. “Maybe it’s time to work the vision.” He recalled in history the times when Dr Martin Luther King Jr was certainly weary—particularly one evening in Memphis. That night, King said: “The nation is sick. Trouble is in the land. Confusion all around.” But King also concluded that sermon by saying: “We’ve got to give ourselves to the struggle until the end, and nothing would be more tragic than to stop at this point.” Barber reminded those gathered of their calling not just from Dr King but from God. “We’ve got to give ourselves to the struggle until the end,” said Barber. “We cannot claim to love the message of Dr King while we support policies that contradict his vision.” Currently, the USA is suffering from a terrible form of social schizophrenia, Barber continued. “Jesus told us that whatever our evangelicalism was, it had to start with the poor,” he said. “We have to tell the truth in this moment.” Barber noted that we are in a crisis of civilization not just a crisis of the individual. “We’re built for this,” he said. “When you face your giants, the glory will come. I feel the glory.” Rev. Nathan Day Wilson, WCC liaison with specialized ministries, brought greetings from the World Council of Churches and shared a scriptural reading. The Memphis service also occurred during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which extends from 18-25 January. Watch the full interfaith service (Memphis, Tennessee, 20 January 2025) | 
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