Christians Speak Out on U.S. Foreign Policy
On Nov. 1, All Saints Day, over 150 Seattle-area clergy and lay leaders from a variety of faith traditions
gathered for worship, a press conference, march, and rally. The event brought significant visibility to
“KairosAction: A Time to Speak, a Time to Act.”
“Kairos is the New Testament word for a time of decision, a time calling for action,” according to Rev.
Charlie Mays, a Kairos spokesperson and member of the ELCA Church Council. “It is also a new
movement of Christians across the country who are anguished about U.S. policies on Iraq, human rights,
democracy, and injustice which they believe are seriously at odds with fundamental Christian beliefs.”
The event began at the Compass Center for the homeless with a worship service and press conference
after which participants marched to the Federal Building carrying photos of peace and justice “saints”
including Dorothy Day, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, Jr. The federal building
rally concluded with presentation of the Kairos Statement and Stand of Confession to elected officials.
“The Kairos movement is grounded in community – Christians organizing in groups for prayer, study,
discernment, and action,” emphasized Rev. Mia Baumgartner, Executive Director of Immanuel Lutheran
Community Services. “A key activity is helping Christians support and hold one another accountable to act
effectively in the public arena. The movement seeks to engage, critique, and create out of the long
tradition of nonviolent social change.”
The Kairos event was featured on six TV news programs (KING, KIRO, KOMO, and FOX-13), an interview
on NPR, and articles in both the Seattle Times and Post-Intelligencer.
On Nov. 1, All Saints Day, over 150 Seattle-area clergy and lay leaders from a variety of faith traditions
gathered for worship, a press conference, march, and rally. The event brought significant visibility to
“KairosAction: A Time to Speak, a Time to Act.”
“Kairos is the New Testament word for a time of decision, a time calling for action,” according to Rev.
Charlie Mays, a Kairos spokesperson and member of the ELCA Church Council. “It is also a new
movement of Christians across the country who are anguished about U.S. policies on Iraq, human rights,
democracy, and injustice which they believe are seriously at odds with fundamental Christian beliefs.”
The event began at the Compass Center for the homeless with a worship service and press conference
after which participants marched to the Federal Building carrying photos of peace and justice “saints”
including Dorothy Day, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, Jr. The federal building
rally concluded with presentation of the Kairos Statement and Stand of Confession to elected officials.
“The Kairos movement is grounded in community – Christians organizing in groups for prayer, study,
discernment, and action,” emphasized Rev. Mia Baumgartner, Executive Director of Immanuel Lutheran
Community Services. “A key activity is helping Christians support and hold one another accountable to act
effectively in the public arena. The movement seeks to engage, critique, and create out of the long
tradition of nonviolent social change.”
The Kairos event was featured on six TV news programs (KING, KIRO, KOMO, and FOX-13), an interview
on NPR, and articles in both the Seattle Times and Post-Intelligencer.
Christians Speak Out, November 1, 2006
 | |  | |  | |  |