Labor Day Only Beginning for Area Congregations

September was the month for labor for dozens of congregations throughout the Metro DC region, reports DC Jobs with Justice Organizer MacKenzie Baris. “Altogether, 55 congregations participated in this year’s Labor on the Bimah and Labor in the Pulpits program,” says Baris. “This year’s programs were a huge success and really helped to spread the discussion of labor issues beyond Labor Day.” This year’s events included a special Mass for the Blessing of Human Labor at the Catholic Archdiocese Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, a bilingual service and fellowship lunch with day laborer and security officer union members at Foundry United Methodist Church, presentations by hotels workers and home childcare providers at the Adat Reyim Congregation and Berwyn Presbyterian Church, an homily on labor and immigration reform by Deacon Gene Betit at Our Lady Queen of Peace, a program of labor songs led by nationally-known singer-songwriter Joe Jencks at Oseh Shalom, and a presentation by Economic Policy Institute President Lawrence Mishel on “The Many Faces of Labor” at Temple Sinai. Planning is also in the works for two separate three-part Christian Education series on low-wage workers at Foundry United Methodist Church and St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Dupont Circle for October. “We are trying to educate folks not only about the nature of low-wage work and our Christian calling to respond with justice for workers, but also about campaigns to help low-wage workers,” said Amy-Ellen Duke, Deacon for Social Justice at Foundry United Methodist Church. St. Thomas’ three-part series, entitled “Progressive Christianity: Theology & Ethics of Work,” will examine the morality of the living wage, the theology and spirituality of work, and organizing for change in DC. The series will also feature a conversation with workers who are leading a fight for justice in his or her workplace. If you are interested in helping plan a forum on your own congregation, Interfaith Worker Justice can help! Contact mbaris@dclaborarchives.org. Photos by MacKenzie Baris