Now Is When We Start
Why Summer 2025 is the time to prep for July 4, 2026
Here’s what we know about America’s 250th. First, it is a once-in-a-generation opportunity when all of us will be aware of the country’s beginning. Second, that typical summer celebrations of the 4th - think Main Street parades, barbecues, and fireworks - will be pumped up - but likely not deepened with thoughtful reflection. Third, that the current malaise of cynicism, resentment, despair, and toxicity will not be resolved by then.
The thinking behind faith250 began in March with a conversation about what we could do to take advantage of this opportunity, deepen the observance next summer, and heal our democracy. Soon we realized the potential of the multi-faith network of local houses of worship all over the country, and dreamed up a year of fellowship and conversation between neighbors about the meaning of America, culminating in local public rituals to share that meaning. And then we began building our website, spreading the word, and ramping up the operation.
Now is when we need HELP FROM EVERYBODY! Because anybody who has been around a local synagogue, masjid, or church knows that calendars get booked up early, clergy schedules are packed, and the summer is the last time to take a breather before the rush of the school year begins. So right now, especially in August, is when we need to tell every faith leader we know about faith250. Here are four easy ways this can happen.
Clergy can start reaching out to colleagues within their faiths and denominations and sending people to this website (especially our How to Get Involved page).
Denominational leaders and organizations with national networks can start spreading the word to clergy around the country.
Clergy can reach out to local colleagues of other faiths and denominations and start exploring adding this to your calendars.
Individuals everywhere can call their rabbis, pastors, imams, and other religious leaders and tell them about faith250 and encourage them to sign up (be persistent - in general, our electronic comms overfloweth).
If this thing is going to gain momentum, a whole lot of people will have to add to their calendars four clergy meetings between now and January, four congregational gatherings between January and June, and a big public event next summer around July 4th. So NOW IS THE TIME to tell everyone.
Our next info sessions are: