(The letter was rejected by the Post-Crescent due to their policy of not publishing group letters)

When clergy and people of faith from across the Fox Cities gather at Houdini Plaza on March 29 (1 pm), we will continue what began at our respective congregations’ Palm Sunday celebrations. A day when Christians remember Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, not on a warhorse, not a conquering king, but humbly riding a donkey and filled with compassion.

Together, we will lament the harms done to our immigrant neighbors, shine Christ’s light of truth and justice, and proclaim faith in Christ, who came not to be served but to serve.

This Palm Sunday is different because our neighbors have been threatened, abused, dehumanized, disappeared, and even killed by agents of our own government. Together, on the Palm Sunday Path, throughout Wisconsin and across fifteen other states, we stand in solidarity with people of faith across traditions and those who aren’t part of a faith community to support the vulnerable among us, because Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.”The goal of violence is to spread fear, making people afraid to question authority, speak out, or stand in opposition, even when something is morally wrong. On Palm Sunday, we pray that our neighbors feel less afraid, knowing they are not alone. We pray that those who reveal their weakness through violence and intimidation know we are not afraid and we won’t be silent because after Good Friday comes Easter morning.

Rev. Dr. Michael Goodwin – Memorial Presbyterian Church, Appleton

Bishop Anne Edison-Albright- East Central Synod of Wisconsin ELCA

Rev. Dr. Katherine Willis Pershey- First Congregational United Church of Christ, Appleton

Rev. Jason Poole-Xiong- Zion Lutheran Church, Appleton

Rev. Tauna Roth- Immanuel Lutheran Church, Fremont

Rev. Jane Anderson- United Church of Christ Associate Conference Minister

Rev. Mary Bauer-First English Lutheran Church, Appleton

Rev. Brian Bankert, Trinity Lutheran Church, Appleton

Rev. Jeff Tengesdal- First English Lutheran Church, Appleton

Rev. Dr. David Colby- Winnebago Presbytery

Rev. Gary Noklebert- Retired ELCA

Rev. Chris and Cheryl Quello- First English Lutheran Church, Appleton

Benjamin Burgess- First Congregational UCC, Appleton

Ann Cattau- Our Savior’s Lutheran, Neenah

Sara Companik-First Congregational UCC, Appleton

Tom Denk- Reedsville

Rich and Pan Garman- Our Savior’s Lutheran, Neenah

Ms. Kathleen Gribble- Memorial Presbyterian and St. Bernard Catholi, Appleton

Jean Hakes- First English Lutheran, Appleton

Steve Hirby- First Congregational UCC, Appleton

Jerry Iverson- Unitarian Universalist, Appleton

Ms. Carol Lenz- Memorial Presbyterian Church, Appleton

Laurie McCulloch- Memorial Presbyterian, Appleton

Becky O’Connor- Memorial Presbyterian, Appleton

Karen Pfefferle- First Congregational UCC, Appleton

Mike Radtke- First Congregational UCC, Appleton

Connie Raether- Unitarian Universalist, Appleton

Cindy Rieck- St. Paul Lutheran, Neenah

Mary Sullivan- First Congregational UCC, Appleton