Rituals are vast and complicated. They communicate overlapping and even contradicting layers of meaning. Often, through art, architecture, music, garb, choreography, tradition, poetry, and, in the case of religion, theology, the combined aesthetics are more powerful than any speech or public statement. Because of their artistic complexity, they mirror the messiness of our humanity, and thus rituals address our individual and collective identities. They can uplift us and they can heal us, which is why after national tragedies, sanctuaries everywhere are full. Everyone needs a ritual to make sense of the moment.
The public civic ritual component of faith250 is the culmination of a year of fellowship and relationship-building between congregations, as well as deep conversations about the big ideas found in some of America’s most profound texts. There are no templates or requirements except that it is a locally developed celebration of democracy. The ritual need not be ideologically monolithic or linear. The assembled community can tolerate a ritual with diverse views.
A group of clergy and engaged laity should take point on planning and hosting this ritual around July 4th, 2026. We will offer best practices, guidance, and resources from other clusters and participating clergy, and you will adapt, add, subtract, and fully design your ritual. Each cluster will create something unique - your public civic ritual should speak to local civic needs and communicate the vision of your cluster. The planning will likely run concurrent with fellowship activities.
Click here to view our resource library, which will continue to grow and expand as clusters begin to craft their rituals. Share information about your ritual with us at hello@faith250.org.
For official faith250 logos, colors, and other marketing materials, click here.
For now, here are some preliminary tips:
This will be an event open to all area residents, planned and hosted by those who have attended the sessions.
Planning should begin in March 2026.
There is no template or requirements except that it is a locally developed celebration of democracy.
It should be held in a spiritual place and could include music, food, storytelling, candle lighting, readings, creation of a wall/mural, etc. We highly recommend hosting the ritual in one of the participating houses of worship and resisting the urge to use a public, civic space (like a public park).
While local political and civic leaders should be invited to attend the event or even have a reading from the written liturgy, we strongly recommend not including civic leaders in the planning team or allowing open time for public comments.