Inauguration Resources 2021

As we prepare for Inauguration Day, The Episcopal Church looks forward to working with the new administration and the 117th Congress to address the challenges our nation, and the world, face. This change in government takes place at a time of potential political violence and a devastating pandemic. Below are resources to help you navigate the week of the inauguration. 

For ongoing updates and statements on current events, please visit our Public Affairs page.

Included below:

• Timeline of Events 
• Prayer Resources for Individuals and Congregations
• Advocacy Opportunities in the “First 100 Days”
• Civic Mindfulness Resources

Timeline of Events

Below is a rough collection of events and communications releases scheduled for the coming days. We will continue to update this list as new links and recordings become avaialble. Questions: Office of Government Relations

National Council of Churches Virtual Interfaith Prayer Service of Reflection, Lament, and Hope
From Friday, January 15, watch the recorded live stream on the NCC Facebook and YouTube
The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC), in partnership with the Washington Interfaith Staff Community (WISC), held a Prayer Service for members of Congress, their staffs, and all who work at and protect the U.S. Capitol building. The Prayer Service was organized to bear witness to the trauma and destruction caused by the attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021, and, through compassionate interfaith sharing and mutual support, to bring comfort and hope to all who work at the Capitol complex. This service offered a safe space for reflection, lament, and hope. 

Three Days of Prayer & Action #PeaceWithJustice January 17, 19, and 20 Join in with Christians from all across the country – from across denominations and traditions – to pray and act.This will include a non-partisan, ecumenical Christian prayer vigil on Tuesday, January 19, 7:00-8:30pm ET, featuring Presiding Bishop Michael Curry.

The Episcopal Diocese of Vermont Vigils
Sunday, January 17, 1:00pm ET with prayers said aloud via Zoom every hour afterward through 6:00pm ET.
Wednesday, January 20, 8:00pm ET Service of Healing Following Inauguration
For information on both vigils, visit their website. 

What is an Inaugural Address All About?
Sunday, January 17, 4:30pm ET
A special educational event from the Washington National Cathedral on the history of inauguration addresses presented by Cathedral congregation member Claire Jerry, a Curator of Political History at the National Museum of American History. Register now.

Poor People’s Campaign Prayer for Beloved Community in the Midst of COVID and Chaos
Sunday, January 17, 8:00pm ET
Pray with the Poor People’s Campaign for a 30-minute prayer service as a part of A National Call to Love, Light and Leadership. Join Episcopal Church Reconciliation, Justice & Creation Care leaders in prayer and vigil with the nation-wide participants of the Poor People’s Campaign. Watch on Facebook or stream at the Poor People’s Campaign website.

MLK Moral Monday Worship Service
Monday, January 18, 1:00pm ET
Join Presiding Bishop Curry, and the National leaders of the Poor People’s Campaign in The National Interfaith Service of Love, Light and Leadership will bring the nation together in prayer to build the beloved community with Love tied to Justice, Light grounded in Truth, Leadership rooted in a Moral Agenda for the Nation. Watch on Facebook or stream at the Poor People’s Campaign website.

Action Alert on Voting Rights
Tuesday, January 19
The Episcopal Public Policy Network plans to release an action alert on Tuesday, January 19th, calling on Episcopalians to take action in support of voting rights. While election seasons stir up attention around voting rights, much of the work to defend voting rights must happen between election cycles when the issue is often out of the spotlight. Sign up for the EPPN action alerts to be notified of this engagement.

Cathedral of St. John the Divine Prayer Services
Tuesday, January 19, 3:00-6:00pm ET
Let It Shine: Lighting a Candle for Unity. The broader Cathedral community is invited to stop by the Cathedral’s front steps and light a candle in support of American democracy and national unity. Candles will be available to light from 3 – 6pm. At approximately 5:15, members of the Cathedral’s clergy will offer a brief prayer service for the health of the nation. Joining with houses of worship around the country, the Cathedral will then toll its bells in solemn commemoration of all who have died due to the twin pandemics of COVID-19 and civic unrest in the past year. More info here.
Wednesday, January 20, 8:00-8:30am ET
All are invited to join the Rt. Rev. Andrew ML Dietsche, Bishop Diocesan; The Rt. Rev. Allen K. Shin, Bishop Suffragan; and The Rt. Rev. Mary D. Glasspool, Bishop Assistant, to raise one prayer together for the safety and well-being of our nation and peoples. All are welcome to participate as we pray together for the continued unity of this country and all who live here. Accessible via Zoom.

Diocese of New Jersey Prayer Services
Tuesday, January 19, 5:00pm ET, 8:00pm ET and Wednesday, January 20, 7:30am ET
Bishop Stokes has called the Diocese to a season of prayer and repentance, seeking God’s blessing, renewal, and healing for our nation. Register now.

Covid-19 National Memorial Event, Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, Washington D.C. 
Tuesday, January 19, 5:30pm ET
People are “invited to join Washington, D.C. in illuminating buildings and ringing church bells at 5:30 p.m. ET in a national moment of unity and remembrance.” Check with your local congregation regarding participation. For more information on the event in Washington, D.C. go here.

Vigilia: Join Latino Leaders in Prayer for our Nation
Tuesday, January 19, 8:00-9:00pm ET, Livestreamed from the Christian Churches Together Facebook.

Prayer Resources

Resources around prayers of intercession and thanksgiving for our nation, for our government, for peace, for civic duty, and for healing.

Article: 4 Prayers for Justice from Building Faith, a ministry of Virginia Theological Seminary 

Video: Prayers for our Nation from Interfaith Voices 

Video: Epiphany 2021: A Call to Prayer for our Nation from Presiding Bishop Curry 

Video: The Beatitudes, a beautiful reading of the gospel through multiple voices

Good News of Lament, a collection of resources around trauma and healing as well as support for grief

A Reflection on the nonviolent legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Prayers for Justice and Reconciliation, a collection from the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music 

Social media graphics for inauguration day prayers are at the bottom of the page!

Advocacy Opportunities in the First 100 Days

One of the most important ways we can engage politically right now is through advocacy with The Episcopal Church’s Office of Government Relations and the Episcopal Public Policy Network. The first several months of any new congressional session and new presidential administration are some of the most active times for legislative and policy change. If you have not already, join the Episcopal Public Policy Network to speak out with Episcopalians across the Church and receive strategically timed calls to action. If you are already a member, invite 5 of your Episcopal friends to join the EPPN too–the larger the network, the more effective we can be in our advocacy.

Our priorities in advocacy for the new 117th Congress and administration are: Creation Care, Racial Justice, Ending Poverty (domestically and internationally), Human Rights & Peacebuilding, and Immigration & Refugees. Read more here.

Civic Mindfulness Resources

Use these resources to engage more deeply across difference during this time and through long term engagement.

Bishops letter on avoiding inauguration-related protests amid threats of violence

In these perilous times, when public demonstrations carry a significant risk of both violence and exposure to COVID-19, we believe that God calls us to exercise both our Christian witness and our civic responsibility in ways that promote peace and safety.

From Many, One

“From Many, One: Conversations Across Difference” is a campaign inviting Episcopalians and our neighbors to engage in one-to-one listening and sharing across the many differences that separate us. The conversations center on four questions: What do you love? What have you lost? Where does it hurt? What do you dream? You can find videos and other resources here. 

Make Me an Instrument of Peace Guide to Civil Discourse

Brought to you by the Office of Government Relations and Department of Faith Formation, in partnership with ChurchNext, a ministry of Forward Movement, this interactive, five-part curriculum offers hope that by using the tool of civil discourse, we can find new ways to love our neighbor.

Beloved Community Storysharing 

The Beloved Community StorySharing Campaign seeks to help faith communities and individuals to share and receive stories of faith, race, and difference and to become more effective healers, reconcilers, and ambassadors of Christ in the world.  

The Epidemic of Gun Violence Now Threatens Our Democracy: A Letter from Bishops United

The epidemic of gun violence in our country now threatens not just individual Americans, but also our democracy. In these fraught times, we ask Episcopalians of all political persuasions to join us in doing three things… read the article for more.