Joined for Justice

FEBRUARY 6, 2026

MLK Gathering & Celebration

The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. speaks at a mass meeting at Holt Street Baptist Church in Montgomery, Ala., during the Montgomery Bus Boycott, 1955

On the eve of a new year of organizing, the Trinity UCC Justice Watch Team gathered partners across Chicago’s faith and civic landscape for Joined for Justice: MLK Gathering & Celebration — an evening of table fellowship, strategy, and worship co-hosted with McCormick Theological Seminary and held at Progressive Community Church (Senior Pastor: Rev. Tyrone McGowan).

IN THE SPIRIT OF THOSE THAT CAME BEFORE
Following Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday tradition of strategy gatherings, clergy, lay leaders, and organizers came together to restore a shared muscle: hope, faith, determination, and unity — and to align courage with action around 2026 priorities.

“I speak here as one who loves America… The United States is the greatest purveyor of violence in the world today… ‘Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.’”
— Dr. King “Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence,” Riverside Church, April 4, 1967

BRAIDING PRAISE WITH CHARGE
Over a shared meal, twelve Chicago-area organizations offered “just five minutes” each on their mission, their top priority for 2026, and how faith communities can help.

Participating voices included: Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Oppression; Chicago Religious Leadership Network on Latin America; Chicago Votes; Community Renewal Society; End Permanent Punishments; Faith in Place; Illinois Network for Pretrial Justice; League of Women Voters of Chicago; LIVE FREE Chicago; Southsiders Organized for Unity and Liberation; The People’s Lobby; and Workers Center for Racial Justice.

After the lightning-round session, the congregation moved into the sanctuary for worship led by Guest Preacher, Rev. Stephen Thurston — a service that braided praise with a clear charge to keep, asking God to strengthen communities for the work ahead.

WHERE WE GO FROM HERE
Joined for Justice wasn’t a rally; it was a starting line. Faith leaders left with concrete invitations — from court-watching and voter engagement to pretrial justice advocacy, environmental stewardship, worker power, and community safety rooted in care rather than punishment. McCormick will continue to walk alongside congregations and coalitions as we preach, teach, organize, and serve for the common good.

The work ahead is shared work, and the time is now.