From the full library of texts we have studied at American Scripture Project, we chose these four as ideal conversation starters in preparation for America’s 250th. By no means do we pretend that they cover every core narrative about our country, as no mere four texts could encompass that complexity. But they do include a wide range of America’s big ideas, represent varied groups within our national community, and span key moments of our shared history. BEFORE you dive into the texts, we strongly recommend you take a look at the following guides:

• Clergy meeting guide with a sample email for recruiting clergy colleagues, a suggested agenda for meetings and best practices.

• Covenant for conversation to assist in keeping conversations productive and generative.

• Multifaith event guide and Multifaith event table facilitator guide to support events for clusters of multifaith congregations

faith250 provides free resources for clergy meetings and multifaith events. Local leaders adapt these resources to fit their context. There are no strict requirements — only a shared commitment to the journey.

Below we summarize major themes that may be emphasized in your gatherings, and we encourage your group to take the conversation in directions we did not anticipate. The texts are listed in our recommended order, although that too is open for your innovation.

The Clergy Meeting Discussion Guides are designed for the clergy-only meetings and includes ideas for activities, questions, etc to incorporate into your multifaith events. The Read Ahead Documents for Multifaith Events is designed to be emailed out in advance of each multifaith event and includes a sample agenda and a pre-event question to think about in advance. The Handout for Multifaith Events is designed to be used the night of your cluster gathering and features our Covenant for Conversation on the back.

When Emma Lazarus was asked to write a poem to help raise funds for the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty, the original intent of this massive civic symbol was to celebrate the triumph of liberty in the American Civil War. Lazarus, a Sephardic Jew, who worked with immigrants streaming through New York’s Ellis Island and who opposed the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, subverted that purpose with merely 14 lines of text. Thus her words turned one of the nation’s most recognized monuments, in the harbor of our largest city, into a symbol of worldwide welcome.

Themes: Belonging, Citizen Power, Narrative Formation, Exceptionalism

Handout for Clergy Meetings

Cluster Gathering Read-Ahead Agenda

Handout for Cluster Gatherings

No words capture the American imagination as powerfully as Jefferson’s assertions in the opening paragraphs of the Declaration of Independence. The document is a revolution not only against the powers of King George in England, but also against old ideas that stratified humans in a social hierarchy. The idea of a nation founded upon radical equality and dignity, rooted in the absolute power of the Creator, was a message to all of humanity. Yet, Jefferson’s own participation and benefits from the brutal American system of chattel slavery, and his own words later in the Declaration (referring to Native Americans as “savages” while calling Britons, “brethren”) reflect his limitations and faults. Thus the Declaration simultaneously asks us to explore who we intend to be, and the resistance to achieving those aims.

Themes: Freedom, Equality, Dignity, Incomplete Aspiration, Disappointment

Handout for Clergy Meetings

Cluster Gathering Read-Ahead Agenda

Handout for Cluster Gatherings

Katharine Lee Bates’ anthem emerged out of her travels across the country, and the inspirational music of religious composer Samuel A. Ward. Her repeated prayer that God “Crown Thy good with brotherhood” asks us to consider the role of unity, fellowship, solidarity, community, and other forms of social cohesion in our understanding of the national good. In addition, while the first and fourth verses are widely known and sung, the second and third verses raise harder and richer questions about what we consider beautiful. Especially in the context of clergy conversation and congregational gatherings, spiritual ideas about atonement resonate with Bates’ words about “mend thine every flaw.”

Themes: Brotherhood, Atonement, Natural Beauty

Handout for Clergy Meetings

Cluster Gathering Read-Ahead Agenda

Handout for Cluster Gatherings

On July 5, 1852, when Frederick Douglass approached the podium of Corinthian Hall in Rochester, New York, the audience likely expected his denunciation of slavery, the Compromise of 1850, and the recently enacted Fugitive Slave Act. Douglass did not disappoint. He also, however, expanded his remit to address Independence Day itself. To Douglas, our national rituals that are untrue to their intended meaning corrode the country’s shared identity. They mock who we want to be. In contrast to a celebration of freedom in the midst of slavery, Douglas praises the Constitution as a “GLORIOUS LIBERTY DOCUMENT.” Instead of turning away from America, Douglas sets the pattern of demanding that America live up to its purpose. As we prepare for our nation’s 250th celebration in July 2026, his words serve as a reminder of our integrity and ask us to consider what these days mean in our souls.

Themes: Ritual, Integrity, National Purpose

Handout for Clergy Meetings

Cluster Gathering Read-Ahead Agenda

Handout for Cluster Gatherings

The original design of faith250 has clergy meeting four times, followed by four congregational gatherings. As the earliest clusters formed have reached the congregational gathering phase, we will use this post to share lessons learned.

In the Reston/Herndon cluster, we called our gathering “Fellowship Night” and it was a massive success. We had capacity for 250 people and 170 showed up for a huge potluck at 24 tables with spirited conversation across nine congregations.

This post will be updated as new ideas emerge, so please share your feedback in the comments section of this post. Each stage of the planning process is recorded in this Google Sheets Template. We encourage you to make a copy of our sheet and adapt it for your needs.

Stage 1: Scheduling and Assigning Leadership Roles

The most urgent priority for all clusters is to set the dates for congregational gatherings and add them to congregational calendars far in advance.

Given that our cluster has nine institutions, we decided to limit attendance to 25 people/congregation, with the host congregation allowed an extra 25 to guarantee enough host volunteers. The congregations with a space big enough for 250 people each signed up for one of the four dates, and a clergy person from a non-hosting congregation signed up as a planning partner.

We also decided to tap a lay person from each congregation to be responsible for logistics and volunteers, and we shared all of that information on our planning template.

Stage 2: Registration and Table Assignments

For our Fellowship Night, the first planning group decided to create table assignments mixed by congregation. This required advance registration which we asked each congregation to do separately and then report to the host lay partner, who organized the registrants into tables of eight people each. We made the mistake of not telling registrants that couples would be split up, and there were about 10 couples with slightly ruffled feathers when they showed up and realized they’d be split. Fortunately, they recovered.

The biggest challenge was getting the registration lists in a timely fashion. Some communities have different norms about registration deadlines, and we just accepted that was part of multi-faith work. It helped when we publicized the deadlines and when the host texted clergy colleagues with reminders to send registrations. We also had hoped to create a teen table, but we were not organized enough in advance, and so we only had four teens, who ended up sitting scattered amongst the adults.

In the end, our lay partners arranged the tables and we created stick-on name tags with table assignments (we chose not to list home institution, so that could be an easy conversation starter). Oh, and don’t forget to make a name tag for all the clergy too. We did and that was awkward! We also left one seat empty at each table for overflow, which was essential because we had unregistered walk-ins from multiple congregations. Lastly, we buffered 15 minutes at the start of the event for seating and identified tables that were half-empty, and then we empowered someone at the greeter table (one of the clergy) to reassign the latecomers and walk-ins.

Stage 2a: Food

Our cluster decided to host a potluck for our first fellowship night. To simplify things we had the host congregation and the planning partner congregation (so two congregations out of nine in our cluster) provide all the food, drinks, and paper goods. We used our micro-grant funding from the Jewish Partnership for Democracy as a reserve to order a few small trays of baked ziti because we were short main dishes (we ended up with lots of extra baked ziti). Our lay partners organized the potluck using Sign-Up Genius, so that is not included in the template, but the rest of our advice is on the Stage 2a tab of the template.

Stage 3: Pre-Read Materials and Set Up

Immediately when we began planning, we realized that the schedule would be very tight that evening. So we decided to create two new handouts: First, we sent all registrants a summary of what to expect and schedule for that evening, which included a pre-session question (called the “Read-Ahead” linked below). Second, we adapted the handout from the clergy meetings for a large congregational group (called the “Handout” linked below).

On the night of the event the organizers showed up 90 minutes early, and our set-up volunteers showed up an hour early. Remember we had two houses of worship (the host and the planning partner) working together. While people were standing around a little, the extra time was a great way to start the multi-faith experience. We encourage you to give instructions to your set-up and greeter teams in advance including, “We will be volunteering with members from X institution. Please, find people from X and introduce yourself.” Volunteers needed a clear set of tasks, so we have a checklist on the template.

Stage 4: Event Schedule

Amazingly, our schedule ran perfectly on time. Miracles happen! The biggest key to that miracle was serving dinner family style, on the table, not by buffet. There were a few ruffled feathers for people who did not like or could not eat what was on their table, and a few tables where two or more people had brought a main dishes and had to sit separately from their own food. A couple of sour faces. So we smiled and had volunteers from the host congregation floating around who spontaneously asked a neighboring table to borrow a dish. We kept the mood light and encouraged people to problem solve with a happy countenance.

Okay, here’s the part you’ve been waiting for… the schedule for Fellowship Night 1: The New Colossus (here in google docs form).

6:00-6:15 p.m. - Arrival

• Upon entry, each person received a name tag with table assignment.

• At tables, they find copies of the “Read-Ahead” (two per table since these were emailed in advance) and “Handout” (one per person), pens, and Post-It notes.

• At 6:05 and 6:10 we asked people to write on a Post-It: “What were you or your ancestors thinking or hoping when they came to this country?” And then we had a huge map on the wall for people to place their Post-It on the place from which their family had come (see photo below).

6:15 p.m. - Short Welcome and Opening Blessings

• Opening Convocation (2 min): Host clergy 1

• Intro to event (2 min): Host clergy 2

• Blessing for food (1 min): Clergyperson 3

6:20-6:40 p.m. - Dinner

• Talk about the Pre-Session Question: What do you feel when you see the Statue of Liberty?

6:40 p.m. - Intro to Conversation (7 min)

• Clergyperson 4 (5 min): Explain the difference between academic vs. spiritual reading and describe various ways of reading text – chevruta, Lectio Divina.

• A note about acoustics: because this is a big group, normalize that we do not expect tables to discuss as whole groups of eight.

• Clergyperson 5 (1 min): Reading of the Poem - for “The New Colossus”, ideally a woman

• Introduction of the Braver Angels magic question (1 min): To be used when faced with a hard difference of opinion: “What experiences happened in your life that brought you to that opinion or belief?”

6:47 p.m. – Self-Guided Discussion at Tables Using the Handout

• During this time clergy should be circulating, listening.

• Two-three clergy should record notes for sharing out later.

7:25 p.m. – Wrap-Up and Transition to Dessert

• Clergypeople 6-8 share a few comments they heard walking around (10 min total).

• Instructions for dessert (served at 3-4 tables around the room). Invitation to get your own dessert or get a plate for the table.

• Switch seats at the table and meet someone new.

• Discuss over dessert: “What can we do as a community to help those coming to our community to find what they’re looking for?”

7:50 p.m. – Conclusion

• Grace after meals: Clergyperson 9

• Closing remarks: Clergyperson 10

• Song: “Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor” + “God Bless America”: Clergyperson 11

• Benediction: Clergyperson 12

• On the Handout is a QR code with link to a brief feedback form. Please encourage people to fill it out that night. Our faith250 team is happy to share the feedback from your cluster with you.

Keep Us Posted

Good luck on your Fellowship Night planning and please make comments below about how you did things. Share the wisdom. We will update this post as we hear from people. Look for a separate post with testimony from our Fellowship Night.

Here’s what our Post-It world map of aspirations and thoughts looked like:

Fellowship Night Read-Aheads and Handouts:

• Session 1: The New Colossus Read-Ahead

• Session 1: The New Colossus Handout

• Session 2: The Declaration of Independence Read-Ahead

• Session 2: The Declaration of Independence Handout

• Session 3: America the Beautiful Read-Ahead

• Session 3: America the Beautiful Handout

• Session 4: What to the Slave is the Fourth of July? Read-Ahead

• Session 4: What to the Slave is the Fourth of July? Handout

faith250 is an opportunity for multifaith communities to come together in fellowship, meaningful conversation, and local rituals that celebrate our shared civic story. The program aims to seed clusters of congregations around the country that:

• Engage members of various faiths to think about our shared values as Americans.

• Enable clergy leaders to take on the role of caretakers of our civic health.

• Give citizens the experience of spiritual and moral thinking and civic (vs. political) commitment.

• Make the 250^th a time of general civic renewal (vs. partisan division and animosity).

• Form the basis of long-term collaborations between local institutions and leaders dedicated to our national future with pride, patriotism, empathy, and a desire for unity.

The program is unique in being clergy led and locally based. It utilizes key American texts as the basis of engaged discussion and culminates with a public celebration of America’s 250^th sometime around July 4, 2026.

Every local community has its clergy and houses of worship which, through formal and informal networks, constitute an invisible civic backbone of society. Clergy of different faiths may disagree with points of theology and practice but recognize a common emphasis on elevating character and improving the world. Clergy can apply the deep wisdom and transcendent principles of their different faiths to unify their communities in shared civic values.

The program has three main components:

1. Relationships. We start with clergy-only conversations, dedicated time with colleagues to discuss the idea of celebrating the 250th together, and to try out the experience of studying four key American texts as civic “scripture”: “The New Colossus”, “America the Beautiful”, “The Declaration of Independence”, and “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” Click here for more detailed guidance.

   1. Not surprising, the biggest challenge will be scheduling. Right now: get a few meetings calendared as soon as you can. Some are making this the 2025-2026 agenda for their established local clergy group. Others are starting a new group. However you do this, talk about the four texts together before you bring them to your congregations.

   Conversations about the texts will help clergy groups collectively rediscover America’s big ideas and narratives while inspiring patriotism through their beauty, ideas, and paradoxes. Through text study, we deepen trust in each other, talk honestly about our beliefs, and establish the holiness of our covenantal relationship.

2. Fellowship. Next, bring your congregations together for clergy-led multifaith gatherings to break bread, discuss the texts, and build fellowship, illustrating how an array of local institutions can form the basis of America’s positive civic health.

   1. Some clergy groups study all four texts first and then invite their members to join in for larger gatherings. Others prefer a clergy study of each text immediately prior to the congregational gathering. You decide. Either way, we all know congregational calendars are packed, so schedule and promote these fellowship gatherings early, and consider standing up a lay team to do the logistics.

   During these sessions, clergy will discuss how they want to adapt faith250 materials to suit their local communities and facilitation styles. Local ownership, collaboration, and creativity are key to the success of the congregational gatherings. Click here for more detailed guidance.

3. Ritual. And finally, plan and host a public civic ritual. From the congregational gatherings, establish a subgroup of clergy and engaged laity to start planning a public civic ritual for sometime around July 4th, 2026. Each cluster will create something unique – a mix of music, words, and activities that best communicates the vision of that group and speaks to local civic needs. This website will offer best practices for civic rituals, serve as a brainstorming hub, and a resource library (based on ideas uploaded by participating clergy). You will adapt, add, subtract, and fully design your ritual. There are not requirements. The planning will likely run concurrent with fellowship activities. Click here for more detailed guidance.

Hopefully, these experiences will spark a desire for ongoing fellowship, for greater exploration of our nation’s key documents, and for commitment that our institutions, leaders, and members will uplift local civic health. Some congregations may start or continue fellowship gatherings as an outgrowth of their public civic ritual. Experience tells us that citizens are hungry for experiences of deep and inspiring conversations about our shared American story with neighbors. faith250 grew out of American Scripture Project, which offers study materials for over 50 American texts (and counting) through our DafAmerica program.

faith250 is designed around multifaith clusters of congregations — clergy-led groups coming together in fellowship, text study, and civic celebration.

Some communities may already have groups of local clergy working together, other communities will need committed individuals of local clergy to form clusters. Whether you are a part of a congregation or simply care about the future of democracy in America, there is a place for you here.

Clergy and Congregations

The backbone of faith250 is the belief that the neighborhood pastor, imam, rabbi, and other religious leaders are part of an invisible civic scaffolding that helps hold America together. faith250 resources and supports clergy who want to gather their congregations for spiritually guided discussions of foundational American texts — all building toward multifaith public celebrations, including around July 4, 2026 and Thanksgiving. Ready to engage?

• Explore the materials throughout this website.

• Find a cluster in your area and consider joining them.

• If there is not a cluster in your area, consider forming one. Please register new clusters using our Local Cluster Form so we can support you.

• Use the guides found throughout this website. Everything is free.

• Our team is also available to help: info@faith250.org.

Individuals

If you’re not clergy but want to be part of this conversation, you belong here too. We encourage you to:

• Find a cluster near you. Visit the Local Clusters section of our website to find a faith250 congregation in your area.

• Attend a webinar. Join one of our upcoming faith250 webinars to engage with the texts and the community from wherever you are.

• Spread the word. Subscribe to our Substack, repost our content on Facebook and Instagram, and share our YouTube page. You likely know someone connected to one of America’s 370,000 congregations — invite them in.

Organizational Partners

If you represent an organization or network that includes congregations and clergy, we’d love to explore a partnership with you. faith250 is building a growing network of faith communities committed to promoting and defending democracy, and organizational partners play a key role in that work.

Please reach out to our Program Director, Derrick Scott III at derrickscott@faith250.org to start the conversation — and visit our Partners page to see the organizations who’ve joined our movement.

Everything is free. Subscribing helps us stay in touch, pool ideas, grow community, and share resources.

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Forming Your Local Group of Clergy

We suggest aiming for a group of four-six clergy. This group should plan on meeting four times, one for each text, although some groups may opt to combine texts into one session. You may need additional time to plan congregational recruitment and future congregational gatherings will benefit from experience in the first one; there is no need to plan it all in advance.

Click here for more information about forming your group, and click here for sample text for an email to recruit clergy colleagues.

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Forming Your Local Congregational Gatherings

When advertising the program in your community, emphasize the larger moral priority of healthy democracy. Consider sermons prior to promoting the program to highlight communal anxieties around the sustainability of the American experiment. Individuals in our communities are struggling with friend and family relationships that have become frayed by political differences. Work and volunteer team meetings show signs of bad habits learned through our country’s broken political discourse. This program is a positive response to those concerns. Ensuring that congregants see the bigger picture can transcend just learning about texts. In addition, make sure the promotional material indicates that this is not a history course or a policy debate but rather an opportunity to:

• Share fellowship with our local area houses of worship.

• Explore the big ideas that define what America means to each of us.

• Discuss the values that underlie our democracy.

• Plan for hosting a community-wide public civic ritual to honor July 4th, 2026, America’s 250^th.

Click here for more information about congregational gatherings.

When groups gather, we naturally bring our assumptions about appropriate ways to speak with each other. However, when it comes to hard conversations about America, our political environment has been utterly corroded by a culture promoting conflict. Amanda Ripley coined the term “conflict entrepreneurs” for the cadre of operatives who find ways to polarize and toxify discourse for the sake of gaining attention and solidifying adherents.

We seek to create a different cultural container, one informed by the sacred values of our faith traditions. Within that space, a higher standard of appropriate behavior applies, one less vulnerable to the contempt for one’s opponent found in the current political ecosystem. To achieve this type of environment, we suggest using a Covenant for Conversation, and we have provided the language below as a template for your clergy group to adapt for your congregational sessions.

We commit to creating an environment where the community can discuss subjects that reflect diverse and potentially strongly held opinions. We shall:

• Seek to minimize harm and offense.

• Ensure that minority opinions are heard and respected.

• Model a way of community deliberation that contributes to healthy citizenship.

• Speak carefully from our own understandings using “I” statements.

• Avoid hyperbole, filibuster, gestures, and name-calling.

• Try our best to understand what others are saying and to understand why they are saying what they are saying.

• While being respectful of time, make sure that everyone’s opinion is heard, recognizing that an individual’s opinion may change during the discussion.

• Highlight, honor, and celebrate areas where we have common agreement and try to build on our agreement.

• Accept that our objective is not to change anyone’s opinions.

• Turn to God, our traditions, and our clergy for moral guidance, leadership, and pastoral care when needed.