Jonna Gillham, member of FCCB and High School Junior this year, attended a UCC program called Youth Voices: Bold Faith in Washington DC this summer. She received scholarship from both First Congregational Church and the Pacific Northwest Conference of the UCC, and she was the only representative from Washington. Read her reflection below.
At the beginning of this summer, I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Washington DC for a week of Faith-based advocacy with other youth from the United Church of Christ from across the country, hosted by the wonderful people at the UCC DC office. Throughout my week there, we learned about current legislation relating to LGBTQ+ and immigrant rights, successful lobbying strategies, spoke with our congresspeople’s offices, explored the city, and heard from countless seasoned advocates and change-makers on how to organize and create a meaningful and lasting difference in the world. One of the most significant parts of the trip for me was being able to speak with one of Senator Patty Murray’s staffers about the bills that we had researched. It truly felt like I had a sway in the world when he looked into my eyes and told me that he would run these bills past Senator Murray. Yes, the current political climate is very grim, but there is also still good in it, and the meeting brought me so much hope as it embodied everything right with democracy.
Another very impactful part of the trip was the youth that I lived and worked with throughout the week. We all stayed at Friend’s Place, a Quaker hostel used by advocacy groups right on capitol hill, just a few blocks walk from the Supreme Court and the Capitol itself. When I first landed and walked out of DCA, the humidity wrapped itself around me like a wet blanket, I was shocked by the heat, shocked by the weight of the air, and quite frankly, terrified. Here I stood, across the country, in an unfamiliar city, and thousands of miles away from my family. Yet as soon as I stepped foot in Friend's Place, I felt right at home. I was one of the last youth to arrive because of my long flight, and the house was already loud with laughter and voices from those who had arrived earlier. I was quickly welcomed in, and throughout the week, all 17 of us youth and our wonderful chaperones settled into a beautiful community of laughter, singing, long talks, good food, and meaningful service. It was incredible to be in a space with other young people who are also very passionate about politics and advocacy, and especially through the lens of a shared faith background. From wandering through the DC monuments and then Library of Congress, to touring the Capitol building, to sharing vulnerable stories while lobbying, to probably drinking way too much Starbucks too late at night, I made memories with this group that will last a lifetime.
Our final full day there, we organized a rally on the lawn outside the United Methodist building, which is the building where the UCC DC offices are, and happens to be directly across the street from the Supreme Court and the Capitol. Our public witness allowed us to share what we had been doing that week, the bills we were lobbying on, the protest songs we had learned, and the values and faith behind what shaped our beliefs and led our action. We ended by all singing together, so loudly and joyfully that random people walking by on the street couldn’t help but smile in our direction. In that moment, legislation didn’t matter; political parties didn’t matter, only the shared sense of joy and humanity that connected us all. Because at the end of the day, no matter which party you belong to, or which person you vote for, we are all human, and for the most part want the same things: a safe, healthy, and happy world. We just all have different ideas for how to get there.
Thank you to the Pacific Northwest Conference UCC and our congregation for providing monetary and spiritual support that allowed me to participate in Youth Voices Bold Faith.
-Jonna Gillham, First Congregational Church of Bellingham, UCC
