I spent the last week in Washington, D.C., with some friends and with the 99 Collective (not that that's not friends) and 750 people from 50+ denominations and organizations across the country at Ecumenical Advocacy Days. The theme of EAD was "At God's Table," and our focus was food justice, in particular as it pertains to the Farm Bill. There is so much to say that I'm just sort of at a loss for how to best express what it was we did and learned and are called to go out and do, so, for now, I'll leave you with the lyrics of the "theme song" of the event -- "A Place At the Table".
For everyone born, a place at the table,
for everyone born, clean water and bread,
a shelter, a space, a safe place for growing,
for everyone born, a star over head.
And God
will delight when we are creators of justice
and joy,
compassion and peace;
yes, God
will delight when we are creators of justice,
justice and
joy.
For woman and man, a place at the table,
revising the roles, deciding to share,
with wisdom and grace, dividing the power,
for woman and man, a system that’s fair. Refrain
For young and for old, a place at the table,
a voice to be heard, a part in the song,
the hands of a child in hands that are wrinkled,
for young and for old, the right to belong. Refrain
For just and unjust, a place at the table.
abuser, abused, with need to forgive,
in anger, in hurt, a mind-set of mercy,
for just and unjust, a new way to live. Refrain
For everyone born, a place at the table,
to live without fear, and simply to be,
to work, to speak out, to witness and worship,
for everyone born, the right to be free. Refrain