Let Justice Roll Down: Prayer & Thanksgiving for Equal Rights

On October 10-11 advocates from across the country will gather in Washington, DC for the National Equality March in support of equal rights for persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities. The Baltimore-Washington Area Reconciling United Methodists (BWARM) welcome all participants to attend "Let Justice Roll Down: Prayer and Thanksgiving for Equal Rights."

Beginning at 7:00pm on Saturday, October 10 at Capitol Hill United Methodist Chuch (421 Seward Sq, SE; Eastern Market Metro), "Let Justice Roll Down" will be an opportunity for people of faith to gather for prayer, encouragement, and community building. The Rev. Dr. Karen Oliveto, co-pastor of Glide Memorial United Methodist Church in San Francisco, will be sharing her reflections. Jayson Dobney, a member of St. Paul and St. Andrew United Methodist Church in New York City, will lead music, giving inspiration for the next day's march on the National Mall.

The United Methodist Church's Book of Discipline declares that "certain basic human rights and civil liberties are due all persons" and that the Church is "committed to supporting those rights and liberties for all persons, regardless of sexual orientation."

"We recognize that our denomination may not be of one mind when it comes to issues of sexual orientation and gender identity," states Chett Pritchett, a member of Dumbarton United Methodist Church in Washington, DC, and one of the event's organizers. "But in offering space for prayer and encouragement, we extend Christ's table of hospitality and graciousness to those joining us in the struggle for equality."

"It doesn't matter if you have great faith or many questions," says John-Forrest Douglas, a student at Wesley Theological Seminary and intern at Capitol Hill United Methodist Church, "we want this to be a safe space for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities to know that justice and equality are values of Christian discipleship."

For directions to Capitol Hill UMC, please visitwww.chumc.net. For more information about BWARM, please visit www.bwarm.org.