2025 Fall Appeal
For over 100 years, the Church Council of Greater Seattle has been convening people of faith and conscience to care for our neighbors. Throughout the Church Council’s history, this has taken shape through direct services like shelters, food pantries, and clothing closets; advocating for policy changes like desegregating Seattle schools and ending Seattle’s red-lining policies; through protest and direct action like weekly doorbell ringing at the South African consul’s private residence during apartheid in South Africa, and coordinating some of the largest marches protesting the Iraq war.
The Church Council was built for this moment! As we live into our second century, we are building collective power to resist and defend our communities. Just over two weeks ago, we hosted a multifaith convening on migrant solidarity in coordination with multifaith partners. In our decades of faith-rooted community organizing, this was one of the strongest representations of multifaith gathering that truly centered multiple traditions, inviting the full dignity of each speaker. This event centered impact stories of Muslim and Latine migrant community members and mapped out how people of faith can act across a broad spectrum of tactics from advocacy to non-violent civil disobedience. In 5 days, our multifaith coalition brought together over 120 people of faith committed to solidarity with our migrant neighbors!
As we prepare for and anticipate continued federal overreach into our communities, we know how important it is to shore up our local governance and make sure our communities are adequately funded to withstand federal attacks. This is the guiding value of our Budgets Are A Moral Document campaign in Seattle. At the multifaith convening, Joey shared with those gathered that we need a coordinated and unified response as we anticipate federal escalation to come to Washington. That each of our organizations were formed to lead for such a time as this. This is why the Church Council of Greater Seattle was created.
Over the last nine months, politicized violence toward migrant, Black and brown, Arab and Muslim, and trans neighbors have escalated at an alarming rate. We believe it is our moral imperative as people of faith and conscience to refuse to let the dehumanization of our neighbors, locally and globally, continue. This is a moment when we need faith and Spirit to guide us. As Executive Directors, we take seriously the responsibility to steward the legacy of the Church Council and the trust we hold with community. While we continue to invest more deeply in community organizing with our historic Christian partners, we are acting as a bridge to communities impacted by systemic oppression. We are clear that the transformational change needed in our communities will only be possible as we follow the leadership of and are in accountable relationships with impacted communities.
Despite decreases in funding from foundations and the loss of contributions because of our prophetic stances that directly confront racism, islamophobia, and antisemitism, we continue to be inspired by the increasing support of individuals and faith communities across the region. Our goal for our end of year fundraising appeal is to raise $15,000. However, to continue to build a sustainable future for the Church Council and recoup the losses of standing on the side of justice and liberation, we need to raise an additional $25,000. Will you help us not only meet our goal, but hit our stretch goal by making a gift today?
We are asking you to give two gifts: one to support our 2025 operations, and another to support our Capital Reserves Campaign. You may send two gifts through the remittance envelope or designate a gift to each fund through our website: thechurchcouncil.org/give. Part of planning for a financially stable future is knowing when to expect gifts – shifting your annual gift to monthly donations will support us in that effort. Folks in our network have been making that shift, and it’s having an impact!
We are living in overwhelming and unpredictable times, and it has violent consequences for our communities. People of faith and conscience are eager to respond as new atrocities are spewed from the White House and codified into law. The Church Council will continue to create spaces for all the anger and all the hope needed to ignite our journey toward transformational change.
Thank you for the ways you have supported the Church Council this year. Thank you for being part of vital conversations about the Church Council’s future. Your support in this moment is more important than ever.
With gratitude,
Tara Miller (they, them) Joey Lopez (he, him)
Co-Executive Directors
Church Council of Greater Seattle
P.S. We hope you will join us for Grupo de Solidaridad’s Migrant Cultural Night on December 6!