Dear friend,

From the steps of the Capitol to the streets of Springfield, the people are rising. This June, Kairos is lifting up the prophetic tradition that refuses empire, exposes injustice, and insists on a moral vision rooted in sacred worth and collective liberation. Whether confronting brutal budgets in Washington, celebrating the divine in queer and trans lives, or reminding this nation that we recognize no kings, we are claiming our power. This is a Kairos moment. We are the Kairos movement.

In this issue:

National Actions – No Kings and Pentecost Witness
Pride – New Season at Freedom Church of the Poor

Book Tour Updates – Join us in Illinois and Minnesota June 12-15

TIDEL Showcase – Join the Kairos community in celebrating these fellows
In the News – The Guardian, A Better World podcast, & sermon from Atlanta

Together we can build a society in which all people are free and can thrive in the abundance of beauty and truth.

You only get what you’re organized to take,

The Kairos Center

June 14th: No thrones, no crowns, no kings!

Kairos is grounded in the long tradition of prophets, spiritual leaders, and freedom fighters from our sacred traditions who have stood against the empires, kings, pharaohs, caesars, and unjust rulers of their day. Join us and hundreds of partners nationwide in the streets on June 14th to remind this nation that we recognize no kings. Resources below.

It’s Pride Month at Freedom Church of the Poor: Join us everyday Sunday & Wednesday

This Pride Season, queer and trans leaders at Freedom Church of the Poor will uplift the power, strength, insight,  and sacred commitment of our community. We will confront violent theologies and so-called “texts of terror”—biblical interpretations weaponized to harm and exclude—while lifting up the ways God celebrates the diversity of Their creation throughout scripture. By grounding our leaders and our community in the training and commitment to confront these Biblical heresies and violent theologies, we will confront the harm these dangerous ideologies have caused. Together, we will care for our people, celebrate the divine image in every queer and trans body, and commit to building a movement that transcends division and takes aim at the real forces of oppression. This Pride, we proclaim: liberation, not just for ourselves, but for all. 

Friday, June 6th, 2pm ET: Luke 10 Congregations!

Earlier this year, Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) and the Kairos Center launched Luke 10 Congregations: Equipping Churches to Do Justice. We’re excited to announce applications are now open for the next round, beginning in September!

Tune in to TIDEL

On June 13, 2025, we will showcase the brilliant work of our inaugural Technology, Innovation & Digital Engagement Lab (TIDEL) Fellows. This showcase will mark the culmination of our inaugural cohort’s 18-month fellowship and will feature Kairos’s own Min. Ciara Taylor, Min. Becca Forsyth, Min. Ana Lara Lopez, and Pauline Pisano. The Event will be live and streamed. Our director of Policy & Research, Shailly Gupta Barnes, will also be joining the event as will our former policy and research organizer, Tony Eskridge!

Illinois, here we come!

June 12th, 13th, and 14th will bring the You Only Get What You’re Organized To Take tour to two stops in Illinois. We cannot wait to connect with you! RSVP below.

Minnesota, save the date.

On June 15th, we’ll be in Minneapolis. Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis will be a plenary speaker at the Association of Professional Chaplains Annual Conference and we’ll be holding a community event with grassroots groups. We cannot wait to be in community with you and to learn about all the local organizing going on in the twin cities.

The Guardian - How to Fight Back Against Trump? Look to poor people’s movements.

“As anti-poverty organizers, we’ve often used the slogan: “They say cut back, we say fight back.” It’s a catchy turn of phrase, but it reveals that for too long we’ve been on the back foot.” Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis and Noam Sandweiss-Back take to the pages of the Guardian to share how movements led by the poor and dispossessed can lead to real progress even in the face of all-out repression.

Podcast - A Better World

Catch Rev. Liz Theoharis’s discussion on the “A Better World” podcast with host McNair Ezzard on the state of faith-led organizing, the new book, and the broader work of Kairos.

Sermon - Central Presbyterian Church, Atlanta, GA

Last weekend Rev. Liz gave the sermon at the historic Central Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, GA from the Gospel of Mark, healing through faith, and getting what you’re organized to take.