faith250: Cluster Updates

Cluster Update: Tucson Public Civic Ritual

faith250 — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 19:00:41 GMT

On the evening of June 30, the Tucson Cluster gathered for its public civic ritual. Seventy people came together as Rabbi Malcolm Cohen, Rev. Mike Wilkerson, Rev. Matthew Funke Crary, Cantor Jennifer Benrey, and Chris Tackett led the evening. Participants were surrounded by large, poster-sized versions of the texts the clergy had studied together: the Declaration of Independence, Emma Lazarus’s “The New Colossus,” and Frederick Douglass’s “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” Together, they sang “Color Me America,” “Lift Every Voice,” and “America the Beautiful,” and raised the roof. As the evening ended, nearly everyone was asking the same question: what’s next in this multifaith setting? The Tucson Cluster is already working on an answer, a multifaith concert in the spring.

The public civic ritual is the third component of the faith250 program, and what happened in Tucson on June 30 is exactly what it is designed to produce. The singing, the texts on the walls, the questions people left with, the plans already forming for what comes next: these are the signs of a cluster that has done the work. Clergy led. Congregations showed up. And something real took place.

Cluster Update: Palm Springs

faith250 — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 13:15:57 GMT

The Palm Springs cluster is finding its footing. Multifaith clergy and congregants gathered for the first of their faith250 sessions; sitting together with the foundational texts, sharing impressions, and making space for honest conversation. The Palm Springs clergy leading this work are clear-eyed about the local landscape where interfaith engagement is already part of the culture, and building something new takes time. They see their participation in faith250 as part of a long-term effort. That's exactly the spirit faith250 is built for.

Cluster Update: Interfaith Alliance of the Southwest

faith250 — Thu, 21 May 2026 20:01:10 GMT

The Interfaith Alliance of the Southwest recently completed the first series of faith250 texts, and the response was everything we hope for when congregations come together around America's foundational documents. It is exciting to hear these reports and they are worth sharing. Below is their recap from our four multifaith events:

faith250 was very well received by those who attended, and two faith leaders were inspired to take the program to their own congregations. The discussions were thoughtful, meaningful, and intentionally nonpartisan, with a recurring theme emerging throughout the conversations: these historical documents present ideals that, while we have not always lived up to them as citizens or as a nation, provide aspirations toward which we can continue to strive. Participants reflected on how these ideals align closely with many teachings found across our faith traditions, particularly values centered on hope, justice, compassion, and love for others.

Cluster Update: Interfaith Alliance of the Southwest

faith250 — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 20:01:53 GMT

The Interfaith Alliance of the Southwest Cluster gathered again in March for a multifaith event — another example of how faith250 brings together multifaith clusters of congregations to engage with America's foundational texts — including, in this case, the Declaration of Independence. See the photos and update below.

It was great to see everyone and really beautiful the way we were able to share about our different thoughts about The Declaration of Independence with both it's wonderful vision and flawed sections that contradict that vision. Hoping that we all continue to pursue creating in our country the vision of "all [people] are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." Many thanks to the Unitarian Universalist community for hosting us and to Rev. Kim Kinsey for facilitating. Participating were leaders from faith traditions of Unitarian Universalist, Buddhist, Scientology, Humanist and Christian (Catholic, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Methodist, Presbyterian & Evangelical).

Cluster Update: McLean Interfaith

faith250 — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 13:30:50 GMT

After studying "America the Beautiful" together, the McLean Interfaith Cluster in Virginia did something simple and memorable — they sang all the verses together. This is faith250 in action: multifaith clusters of congregations gathering around America's foundational texts as our nation. Have a listen.

Cluster Update: Interfaith Alliance of the Southwest

Derrick Scott III — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 20:10:38 GMT

The Interfaith Alliance of the Southwest Cluster gathered in January for their first meeting. This is an example of how faith250 brings together multifaith clusters of congregations to engage with America's foundational texts — including, in this case, Emma Lazarus's The New Colossus. See the photos below, along with maps showing the regions of the world where attendees trace their ancestry (look for the colored dots in Mexico and Europe).

Great kickoff to the faith250 program! Many thanks to Rev. Kim Kinsey for hosting us and to Don Curnutt for facilitating the program. We read The New Colossus and talked about what the Statue of Liberty symbolizes to us, sharing stories of how our families came to the United States. We also discussed how communities like ours can help new arrivals feel welcome and reflected on what it truly means from the perspective of our faith traditions to be a country that opens its arms to people seeking better lives. Present were folks from faith traditions of Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, Quaker, Humanist, Scientology, Christian (Evangelical, Episcopal, Methodist, Catholic, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Baptist, Presbyterian, Disciples of Christ, Lutheran (ELCA) ).