America’s 250th: Continuing the Work for a More Perfect Union

Weekly Witness Conversation with Rev. Matt Gaventa

I am, like many of you, feeling so many emotions going into the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration. I am currently wearing my red, white, and blue preparing to cheer on team USA at the World Cup tonight. Our family will celebrate this weekend, hit a parade, and maybe read the Declaration of Independence together. We have so much to be grateful for.

But I also recognize how much work we have to do to create “a more perfect union.” (And, yes-I recognize that phrase is in the Preamble to the Constitution and not the Declaration, but it is on my mind this week.) Our current public policy sphere is in chaos. People are being hurt. Institutions are being attacked. We are a long way from perfect right now.

And, honestly, years ago, I envisioned the 250th anniversary being a celebration of our freedoms and shared humanity with big unifying symbols at the forefront. Instead, we are apparently fighting over reflecting pools and displays of self-aggrandizement from those in power, with minimal effort being made to bring the country together from national leaders.

So, with all of that in mind, I really enjoyed my Weekly Witness conversation this week with Rev. Matt Gaventa from University Presbyterian Church in Austin. He is in the midst of a sermon series that echoed some of my thoughts. How do we celebrate America while recognizing that we have always had moments to celebrate and work still to do? He is spending six weeks reflecting on historical moments and documents such as the Declaration of Independence, Seneca Falls, writings from Presidents Lincoln and Obama, and civil rights icons Frederick Douglass and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

I hope you check out the conversation and Matt’s sermon series, but more, I hope we all take some time to celebrate this nation and our freedoms and democracy while also renewing our shared commitment to participate in civic life and continue the journey toward perfection.

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