The Festival Center

AOC: The Pentagon has not passed an audit, and they are out here trying to kick people with disabilities off of Medicaid. It is corruption that is stealing from the public coffers — and that is the actual waste, fraud, and abuse.

Glimpses of Liberation Even in the midst of the chaos of this administration we can find glimpses of liberation through community and celebration.

Even in the midst of chaos we find glimpses of liberation through community and celebration. Here is what we found just this week.
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Rest in power Bernard Lafayette. Freedom fighter, civil rights leader, husband, father, hero. Thank you for your life of service and love.

We stand wholeheartedly with @fairbudgetdc.bsky.social in urging the DC Council to pass a budget that ensures genuine public safety and that means stopping entirely the collaboration between ICE and MPD

An Unholy Collaboration This testimony was offered at the DC Council Committee on Public Safety regarding the unholy collaboration between the Metropolitan Police Department and ICE. Thank you Chair Pinto for hosting this […...

This is testimony given by @billmefford.bsky.social to the DC Council Committee on Public Safety on their complete lack of accountability of MPD
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We're closed today due to the snow. Stay safe friends.

So, the Supreme Court strikes down trump's tariffs, but they are totally cool if he is never held accountable for committing war crimes and mass corruption on a scale never seen before. SCOTUS is just as corrupt and morally vacuous as POTUS is.

Ordination Ordination is not a career. It's a calling. It is a recognition of local believers who acknowledge the gifts for leadership of a particular person in a particular context.

Some thoughts on ordination as a calling more than a career
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We are hiring! festivalcenter.org/employment/

All-American Racists Racism is endemic to U.S. culture and politics, but donald trump is committed to plumbing the depths of hatred and bigotry.

Racism is endemic in the United States, but trump is reaching to new depths of hatred and bigotry.
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We Are Hiring! festivalcenter.org/employment/

Help our beloved Festival Center raise $1700 for a much needed SNOW BLOWER!

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Dreams of Liberation Almost two years ago I had a dream that helped bring healing and reminded me of my calling. It was a dream that brought liberation.

Our liberation is both a calling and a choice, the result of divine initiative and human free will.
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Armed Services Arts Partnership (ASAP) | Thriving through the Arts Join the creative community where veterans and their families thrive through the arts. Classes are free and available nationwide.

The Festival Center is proud to host ASAP. Each year 100+ teaching artists from across the country gather for a teaching artist training that provides classes in a variety of topics, including Mental Health First Aid, Military Culture, Trauma-Informed Teaching, and Suicide Prevention.
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Light and Darkness It is time to call out the individualist, nationalist, narcissist, evangelical Christianity that undergirds state-sponsored terror.

Have you signed up for the Called Activist? Get the podcast and the blog posts sent straight to you inbox. Don't miss out!

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Because of the wild weather, we will not be open today. We will let you know about tomorrow as we work to remove the snow.

-Team Festival Center

What enables you to keep moving forward each day? Bill Mefford shares his vision and hope for the year.

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Check out what's happening here! Plus, we'd love to have your opinion for our new mural project. Got any ideas? See you Saturday!

Our community loves to come together. Don't miss out on ways to stay connected. Check out the Happenings page every Monday to see where you could plug in next.

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Whether it is ICE or local police departments, law enforcement in this country has long been a source of control and oppression. The murder of Renee Good is only the latest example.
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It is long past time for the DC Council and the Mayor of DC to come out and demand ICE leave.

VIDEO of ICE shooting in Minneapolis [WARNING GRAPHIC] YouTube video by LiveNOW from FOX

ICE is a terrorist organization. #AbolishICE
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The Way of Peace This administration continually chooses violence and death, but the way of peace is challenging but so much more prosperous for all.

While this administration continually chooses violence and death, we are reminded that the way of peace is challenging but also prosperous for all.
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- The Festival Center Military bases are promised to bring peace, but they bring anything but peace. This Christmas we are reminded that peace comes through unexpected means.

We are promised peace through the presence of our military, but Advent reminds us peace is not found through force, but rather, linking ourselves with the most vulnerable in actions of solidarity.
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During Marathon Hearing, Youth and Advocates Speak Against Juvenile Curfew and Federal Law Enforcement Cooperation MPD's cooperation with federal law enforcement agencies affects young people, hindering engagement in peace walks and community initiatives.

We had a powerful showing last week to remind the DC Council that the unholy Alliance between ICE and DC Police MUST end. We are deeply grateful for the powerful words of Rev. William Young, a true leader in DC!
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The time to end ICE-MPD collaboration is NOW!!

- The Festival Center Below is a letter signed by 58 organizations (including the Festival Center) urging the Chair of the Public Safety Committee on the DC Council to take actions ending the unholy […]

Last week we joined with 57 other organizations as we sent a letter to @cmbrookepinto.bsky.social to urge the dismantling of unholy alliance between ICE and MPD. The letter is linked here:
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DC Council must stand up to protect our city from violent federal agents, ICE intrusion and oppressive law enforcement tactics by our own Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

#FreeDC #Immigration #ICE #DCCouncil #MPD #Safety #CommonGoal

Hoping to see you (and sing along with you) in a few!

Today is Giving Tuesday and we've decided to pay it forward. Instead of donating to us, we're asking you to share your gifts with ROC-DC. They could not be doing better work in our community.

Will you dig into your pockets with us? festivalcenter.networkforgood.com