Rev. Jennifer Hosler, PhD

I was grateful to be asked to be the Christian clergyperson to speak at the People’s March. Back in January 2017, the Women’s March was my first protest. The People’s March featured more issues – because the need for justice is intersectional. Find my speech and video below.

My name is Jennifer Hosler, and I’m a pastor at Washington City Church of the Brethren, just a few blocks from the Capitol. 

We’re Christians who believe following Jesus means being a peacemaker, standing against war, and walking in a way of service, welcome, and love. Right now, our church’s sign says, “Haitians and all migrants are beloved children of God.”

I know you’ve heard words from leaders and politicians claiming to speak as Christians. Many of these words are not ones of welcome or love, but words that make you feel fearful, dehumanized, hated, and alone. 

I’m so sorry – that is not Jesus’ message. 

Luke 4 records Jesus’ very first sermon. In it, he said he had come “to bring good news to the poor”, “to proclaim release to the prisoners”, and “to set free those who are oppressed.”  And throughout the Bible, it’s clear that every human being is made in the image of God, worthy of dignity and love.

If you feel alone right now, know that you are not alone. Just look around.

This is a movement for life, wholeness, well-being, and the dignity of all people. 

This is a movement of people from many backgrounds, people of faith and nonreligious folks. 

This is a movement calling on our government to invest in life and divest from death. 

To listen to the priorities of the People and invest in affordable housing, healthcare, child care, education, and disaster relief. And to divest from weapons of death, to stop spending billions on war.

If it’s your first time showing up to something like this, thank you. Keep showing up. 

And if you don’t have a place to plug in, find a faith community, find a mutual aid group, find a local chapter of one of these diverse orgs spearheading this event. 

I’m part of orgs like FOSNA, Christians for a Free Palestine, and DC’s Migrant Solidarity Mutual Aid. 

Whatever issue brought you here, we recognize our struggles are connected, because justice and dignity are connected, and because migrant lives, Black lives, Palestinian lives, trans lives, Jewish lives, Muslim lives, all of our lives are connected, beloved and precious, worthy of dignity and care.

Thank you.