On March 3, 2024, over 140 clergy from various faith institutions across Massachusetts signed onto this open letter directed at key legislative leadership, urging immediate action on the housing crisis.
Scroll on to read the letter, or click the link below to access the letter as a Google Document.
Questions? Contact GBIO Communications Organizer Justin Martin ([email protected])
Scroll on to read the letter, or click the link below to access the letter as a Google Document.
Questions? Contact GBIO Communications Organizer Justin Martin ([email protected])
AN OPEN LETTER FOR HOUSING JUSTICE
March 3, 2024
Dear House Speaker Mariano, Senate President Spilka, House Ways and Means Chair Michlewitz, Senate Ways and Means Chair Rodrigues, House Housing Chair Arciero, and Senate Housing Chair Edwards:
Our people are hurting, and we have a plan.
We write as 155 Massachusetts clergy, united with the people of the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization (GBIO) in our shared call to pursue justice and mercy. The combined membership of our various churches, synagogues, mosques and other institutions account for thousands of families across the Commonwealth. Our work is driven by the shared hopes, fears and needs of those we serve. Today, it is clear that the issue of housing has all but consumed the hearts and minds of our people.
Something must be done.
On March 3rd, we are gathering at the Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center in Roxbury with 1,700 people of faith in hopes that the legislature will take significant action to slow the housing crisis during this legislative session.
Our sacred texts repeatedly call for us to secure housing for all members of our communities, including the most vulnerable residents. The prophet Isaiah hears the Holy voice: “My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes in undisturbed places of rest!” (Isaiah 32:18-20). And the prophet Micah envisions the wellness and joy that can be ours when all members of society can “rest safely under our own vine and fig tree where none can make us afraid” (Micah 4:4).
And yet, too many of our people live in neglected public housing that endangers their health due to pests, mold, and asbestos. Too many are unhoused, despite hundreds of unrepaired, vacant public housing units in the Commonwealth. Too many return from prison without housing or even identification. Too many, especially young people, renters, and families of color, are locked out of the opportunity to buy a home. Too many of us are unable to afford housing where we grew up. In a time and place of so much abundance, we are falling short of the sacred and achievable vision of our faiths.
For the health of the people we serve, the fabric of our communities, and a thriving and competitive Commonwealth, we ask you to ensure that the following concrete steps are taken by the end of this legislative session, impacting thousands of people in the next two years, and thousands more in the years to come.
We ask you to:
We are aware that our state faces urgent budget and shelter crises. These actions will immediately impact many of our most at-risk neighbors and get people off waiting lists and shelters and into homes. In the long run, decisive action on affordable, secure housing will help avoid such crises as it saves money and helps solve housing problems that afflict us all. They are simple, urgent, and moral solutions that will make a concrete difference on the crisis we face.
When some among us suffer, our leadership, our faith, our integrity, our very lives are judged by whether we do what is within our power to make things better. We have a tremendous opportunity before us now to love our neighbors and to love ourselves by making it possible for more people to secure affordable, safe, quality housing in Massachusetts. We implore you to remember this and act accordingly.
Sincerely,
Rev. Steve Watson, Reservoir Church, Cambridge
Rev. Katie Cole, Hartford Street Presbyterian Church, Natick
Rabbi Toba Spitzer, Congregation Dorshei Tzedek, Newton
Rev. Carrington Moore, Bethel AME, Jamaica Plain; Common Cathedral
Rev. Burns Stanfield, Fourth Presbyterian Church of South Boston
Rev. Ray Hammond and Rev. Gloria White-Hammond, Co-Pastors, Bethel AME, Jamaica Plain
Rev. Kent French, United Parish Brookline, Brookline
Imam Talib Mahdee, Masjid al Quran, Dorchester
Rev. Lydia Shiu, Reservoir Church, Cambridge
Fr. Oscar Pratt, St. Katharine Drexel Parish, Roxbury
Rev. Noah Brewer-Wallin, Southern New England Conference, United Church of Christ
Rev. Barbara Lemmel, Harvard-Epworth United Methodist Church, Cambridge
Rabbi Tiferet Berenbaum, TBZ Brookline
Rabbi Jay Perlman, Temple Beth Shalom (Needham)
Rabbi Rebecca Hornstein, Boston Workers Circle
Rev. Daniel Smith, First Church in Cambridge, Congregational, UCC
Rabbi Dr. Raysh Weiss, Temple Israel of Natick
Rabbi Elyse Pincus Abrahams, Temple Beth Shalom (Needham)
The Rev. Dr. Cynthia A. Good, Calvary Church, UM, Arlington
Rev. Kate Layzer, First Church in Cambridge
Executive Pastor, Trecia Reavis, Reservoir Church, Cambridge
Rabbi Karen Thomashow, Temple Isaiah, Lexington
Rev. Dr. Willie Barnett, Great Road Church, Acton
Rabbi Serena Fujita, Member of Temple Israel, Boston
Pastor Ivy Anthony, Reservoir Church, Cambridge
Rabbi Jordana Schuster Battis, Temple Isaiah, Lexington
Rev. Dr. Deborah L. Clark, Edwards Church, Framingham
Rev. Gracious Moyo, University Lutheran Church, Cambridge
Rabbi Andrew Vogel, Temple Sinai, Brookline
Rev. Becky Binns, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Natick
Rev. Dr. Stephanie May, First Church Boston
Rev. John Edgerton, Old South Church in Boston
Rev. Megan Berkowitz, Union Church in Waban, Newton
Rabbi Todd A Markley, Temple Beth Shalom (Needham)
Rev. Joanna Lubkin, Unitarian Universalist Area Church, Sherborn
Rev. Dr. Barbara Callaghan, Hancock United Church of Christ, Lexington
Rabbi Leora Abelson, Nehar Shalom Community Synagogue, Jamaica Plain
Rabbi Talia Stein, Temple Sinai, Brookline
Rev. Dr. Ellis I. Washington, St. Paul A.M.E. Church, Cambridge
Rev. Dr. Ian Mevorach, Common Street Spiritual Center, Natick
Rev. Leanne Walt, United Church of Christ Congregational Norwell
Rev. Eno Mondésir, Haitian Baptist Church of Cambridge, Cambridge
Rabbi Suzie Jacobson, Temple Israel, Boston
Rabbi Dan Slipakoff, Temple Israel, Boston
The Rev. Gregory Morisse, Plymouth Church, Framingham
Rev. David C. Clark, Hancock Church UCC, Lexington
Rev. Dr. Sara Garrard, Union Combined Parish (United Methodist), Boston
Rev. Kyle Walden, Union Combined Parish (United Methodist), Boston
Rev. Dr. Jay Williams, Union Combined Parish (United Methodist), Boston
Rabbi Elaine Zecher, Temple Israel of Boston
Rev. Ashley Popperson, Old South Church, Boston
Rev. Nikki Renée, Union Combined Parish (United Methodist), Boston
Rev. Jane Lawrence, Union Combined Parish (United Methodist), Boston
Rev. Cindy Worthington-Berry, First Congregational Church of Natick
Rev. Rob Mark, Lead Pastor, Church of the Covenant, Boston
Rabbi Andrew Oberstein, Temple Israel of Boston
Presiding Elder Jocelyn Hart Lovelace, Boston Hartford District AME Church
Rev. Ashley Renée, Union Combined Parish (United Methodist), Boston
Rabbi Rachel Gurevitz, Congregation B’nai Shalom, Westborough
Rabbi Neil P.G. Hirsch, Hevreh of Southern Berkshire, Great Barrington
The Rev. Kristian C. Kohler, University Lutheran Church, Cambridge
Rev. Kate Carlisle, Presbytery of Boston; Church of the Covenant, Boston
Imam Abdulqadir H. Farah, Islamic Society of Boston, Roxbury
Rabbi Jeremy Master, Sinai Temple, Springfield
Rev. Amy Norton, United Parish in Brookline, Brookline
Rabbi Leora Kling Perkins, Temple Emunah, Lexington
Cantor Rachel Reef-Simpson, Temple Emanuel of Andover, Andover
Rev. Brynn Harrington, Anchor Bay Church, Beverly
Rabbi David Lerner, Temple Emunah, Lexington
Rev. Dr. Donald A. Wells, Old South Church, Boston
Rev. Arrington Chambliss, St. Mary's Church, Dorchester
Rev. Kerry Maloney, Harvard Divinity School, Cambridge
Rev. Young Lee, The Korean Church of Boston
The Rev. Jean Southard, Presbytery of Boston
Rev. Jennifer McCracken, MANNA Community/Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Boston
Rev. Shelly Davis, East Congregational Church of Milton
Rev. Dr. R. Ward Holder, Presbytery of Boston
Rev. Kenneth Young, Calvary Baptist Church, Haverhill
Rev. Tom Reid, Newton Presbyterian Church, Newton
Rev. Catherine MacDonald, Presbytery of Boston
Rev. Sarah Hathaway, Chaplain and Teaching Elder in Presbytery of Boston
Rev. Shea Thompson, Trinity CME Church
The Very Rev. Amy McCreath, Cathedral Church of St. Paul (Episcopal)
Rev. Kenneth GY Grant, 4th Presbyterian Church South Boston
Rev. Dr. Charlene Zuill, United Methodist Clergywoman, Dorchester
Rev. Martha Schick, Congregational Church of Weston and Wellesley Village Church
Rev. Matthew Stewart, St. James's Episcopal Church, Cambridge
The Very Rev. Pamela Werntz, Emmanuel Church, Boston
Rev. Reebee Kavich Girash, Pilgrim Congregational Church, UCC, Lexington
Rev. Maeve Hammond, First Congregational Church, Winchester
The Rev. Nathan Ives, St. Peter's-San Pedro Episcopal, Salem
Mr. Jeffrey Bass, Executive Director, Emmanuel Gospel Center, Dorchester
Rabbi Eliana Jacobowitz, Temple B’nai Brith, Somerville
Rev. Dr. Donnie Anderson, Pilgrim United Church of Christ, New Bedford
Rev. Robert M. Hardies, The First Parish in Cambridge
Rev. Dorie Goehring, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Jamaica Plain
The Rev. Robert Greiner, Emmanuel Church Boston
The Rev. Dr. Matthew Cadwell, Old North Church, Boston
Rev. Beth Spaulding, First Church in Cambridge
The Rev. Liz Steinhauser, The Crossing, Episopal Diocese of Massachusetts
The Rev. Edwin Johnson, Episcopal City Mission
Rev. George Clifford, Chair, Episcopal Peace Fellowship, Boston
Rev. Dr. Michael Paul Melendez, St Peter’s-San Pedro Episcopal Church, Salem
Imam Abdullah Faaruuq, Mosque for Praising Allah, Roxbury
The Rev. Andrew Suitter, St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church, Sudbury
Rev. Kari Jo Verhulst, Lutheran Church of the Newtons, Newton
Rabbi Ben Rosen
Rabbi Vanessa Harper
The Rev. Amy Whitcomb Slemmer, Faith and Democracy, Boston
Rev. Mary Martha Thiel, First Church Cambridge UCC, Cambridge
Rev. Clyde Elledge, Church of St Andrew, Marblehead
The Rev. Andrew Goldhor, Good Shepherd Church, Watertown
The Rev. Isaac Provencio Martinez, Trinity Episcopal Parish, Melrose and The Allston Abbey
Rev. Jeremi Colvin, St. Luke's, Hudson
Rev. Zenetta Armstrong, Church of the Holy Spirit, Mattapan
Sister Margaret Lanen, Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur
Rev. Natalie E. Thomas, Deacon, Diocese of Massachusetts
The Rev. Holly H. Hartman, Old North/Christ Church Boston
Rabbi Dr. Michael J Shire, Central Reform Temple of Boston
Rev. Richard R. Andre, C. S. P.
Rabbi Lior Nevo
Rev. Rospignac Ambroise, St John’s, St James Episcopal Church, Roxbury
Rev. Joanne Hus, United Methodist Church of Martha's Vineyard, Oak Bluffs
Rev. Sharon Eckhardt, Martha's Vineyard Island Clergy Association, Martha's Vineyard
The Rev. Chip Seadale, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Edgartown
Rev. Matthew B. Splittgerber, Vineyard Assembly of God
Rev. Laura Everett, Massachusetts Council of Churches
Rabbi Joel Sisenwine
Cantor Josh Rosenberg
Rev. Roderick MacDonald, Presbytery of Boston
Rev. Armen Hanjian, First Congregational Church of West Tisbury
Rev. Vicky Hanjian, First Congregational Church of West Tisbury
Susan Waldroop, Interfaith Minister
Rabbi Lori Shaller, Independent Community Rabbi
The Rev. Stephen Harding, Rector, Grace Church Vineyard Haven
Rabbi Sam Blumberg, Temple Beth Am, Framingham
Rabbi Shani Rosenbaum, Hebrew College
Rev. Jane S. Lawrence, Union Combined Parish
Rev. Dieufort J. Fleurissaint, Total Health Christian Ministries
Rev. John Gibbons, Arlington Street Church, Boston
Rev. James W.S. Yansen Jr., Hyde Park Seventh Day Adventist Church, Hyde Park
Bishop Raymond Hall, Deliverance Temple Worship Center, Columbia Road, Dorchester
Rev. Dr. Arlene Hall, Deliverance Temple Worship Center, Columbia Road, Dorchester
Cantor Jodi Sufrin
Cantor Roy Einhorn, Temple Israel, Boston
Rev. Cathlin Baker, First Congregational Church, West Tisbury
Cantor Shanna Zell
Rev. Colin Leitch, Church on the Hill, Boston
Rev. Malia Crawford, Church of Our Saviour, Arlington
The Rev. Greg Johnston, St. John's Episcopal Church, Charlestown
Rev. Cynthia Hubbard, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Edgartown
Rev. Kim K. Crawford Harvie, Arlington Street Church (Unitarian Universalist), Boston
The Rev. John Beach, St. John's Episcopal Church, Saugus
Rev. Dr. George Walters-Sleyon, People's AME Church, Revere
Rabbi Jordy Callman
Rev. Bill Ragan, Old South Church, Boston
Dear House Speaker Mariano, Senate President Spilka, House Ways and Means Chair Michlewitz, Senate Ways and Means Chair Rodrigues, House Housing Chair Arciero, and Senate Housing Chair Edwards:
Our people are hurting, and we have a plan.
We write as 155 Massachusetts clergy, united with the people of the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization (GBIO) in our shared call to pursue justice and mercy. The combined membership of our various churches, synagogues, mosques and other institutions account for thousands of families across the Commonwealth. Our work is driven by the shared hopes, fears and needs of those we serve. Today, it is clear that the issue of housing has all but consumed the hearts and minds of our people.
Something must be done.
On March 3rd, we are gathering at the Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center in Roxbury with 1,700 people of faith in hopes that the legislature will take significant action to slow the housing crisis during this legislative session.
Our sacred texts repeatedly call for us to secure housing for all members of our communities, including the most vulnerable residents. The prophet Isaiah hears the Holy voice: “My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes in undisturbed places of rest!” (Isaiah 32:18-20). And the prophet Micah envisions the wellness and joy that can be ours when all members of society can “rest safely under our own vine and fig tree where none can make us afraid” (Micah 4:4).
And yet, too many of our people live in neglected public housing that endangers their health due to pests, mold, and asbestos. Too many are unhoused, despite hundreds of unrepaired, vacant public housing units in the Commonwealth. Too many return from prison without housing or even identification. Too many, especially young people, renters, and families of color, are locked out of the opportunity to buy a home. Too many of us are unable to afford housing where we grew up. In a time and place of so much abundance, we are falling short of the sacred and achievable vision of our faiths.
For the health of the people we serve, the fabric of our communities, and a thriving and competitive Commonwealth, we ask you to ensure that the following concrete steps are taken by the end of this legislative session, impacting thousands of people in the next two years, and thousands more in the years to come.
We ask you to:
- Increase the public housing operating budget from $107 million to $189 million. According to data from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, there are 1,131 units that spend an average of 209 days vacant simply because there is not enough money to hire maintenance staff to repair them. Increasing the budget would be a major step toward reducing the number of vacant units by several hundred. And it could spare thousands of families the extreme disruption of having to vacate their homes due to preventable emergencies, every single year.
- Guarantee IDs to people coming out of prison. Over 600 people came out from the Department of Corrections without an ID last year - meaning months without the ability to get a job, find an apartment, or even get into a homeless shelter.
- Increase funding for rental certificates for formerly incarcerated people receiving case management at proven anti-recidivism nonprofits. Data from the Boston Housing Authority and Justice 4 Housing show that a $6 million increase could pay a year’s rent for about 200 formerly incarcerated people.
- Keep at least $1.6 billion in capital repair funding for public housing in the Governor’s proposed housing bond bill (a step toward addressing an $8.5 billion need), to fix plumbing systems, heat, and renovate old buildings so public housing survives for decades to come.
- Give our communities the choice to locally pass real estate transfer fees to raise funding for local affordable housing, as is in the Governor’s bond bill, so that we may raise hundreds of millions of dollars a year through 0.5-2% fees on $1-2 million dollar property sales, and build thousands of homes for people to affordably own or rent.
We are aware that our state faces urgent budget and shelter crises. These actions will immediately impact many of our most at-risk neighbors and get people off waiting lists and shelters and into homes. In the long run, decisive action on affordable, secure housing will help avoid such crises as it saves money and helps solve housing problems that afflict us all. They are simple, urgent, and moral solutions that will make a concrete difference on the crisis we face.
When some among us suffer, our leadership, our faith, our integrity, our very lives are judged by whether we do what is within our power to make things better. We have a tremendous opportunity before us now to love our neighbors and to love ourselves by making it possible for more people to secure affordable, safe, quality housing in Massachusetts. We implore you to remember this and act accordingly.
Sincerely,
Rev. Steve Watson, Reservoir Church, Cambridge
Rev. Katie Cole, Hartford Street Presbyterian Church, Natick
Rabbi Toba Spitzer, Congregation Dorshei Tzedek, Newton
Rev. Carrington Moore, Bethel AME, Jamaica Plain; Common Cathedral
Rev. Burns Stanfield, Fourth Presbyterian Church of South Boston
Rev. Ray Hammond and Rev. Gloria White-Hammond, Co-Pastors, Bethel AME, Jamaica Plain
Rev. Kent French, United Parish Brookline, Brookline
Imam Talib Mahdee, Masjid al Quran, Dorchester
Rev. Lydia Shiu, Reservoir Church, Cambridge
Fr. Oscar Pratt, St. Katharine Drexel Parish, Roxbury
Rev. Noah Brewer-Wallin, Southern New England Conference, United Church of Christ
Rev. Barbara Lemmel, Harvard-Epworth United Methodist Church, Cambridge
Rabbi Tiferet Berenbaum, TBZ Brookline
Rabbi Jay Perlman, Temple Beth Shalom (Needham)
Rabbi Rebecca Hornstein, Boston Workers Circle
Rev. Daniel Smith, First Church in Cambridge, Congregational, UCC
Rabbi Dr. Raysh Weiss, Temple Israel of Natick
Rabbi Elyse Pincus Abrahams, Temple Beth Shalom (Needham)
The Rev. Dr. Cynthia A. Good, Calvary Church, UM, Arlington
Rev. Kate Layzer, First Church in Cambridge
Executive Pastor, Trecia Reavis, Reservoir Church, Cambridge
Rabbi Karen Thomashow, Temple Isaiah, Lexington
Rev. Dr. Willie Barnett, Great Road Church, Acton
Rabbi Serena Fujita, Member of Temple Israel, Boston
Pastor Ivy Anthony, Reservoir Church, Cambridge
Rabbi Jordana Schuster Battis, Temple Isaiah, Lexington
Rev. Dr. Deborah L. Clark, Edwards Church, Framingham
Rev. Gracious Moyo, University Lutheran Church, Cambridge
Rabbi Andrew Vogel, Temple Sinai, Brookline
Rev. Becky Binns, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Natick
Rev. Dr. Stephanie May, First Church Boston
Rev. John Edgerton, Old South Church in Boston
Rev. Megan Berkowitz, Union Church in Waban, Newton
Rabbi Todd A Markley, Temple Beth Shalom (Needham)
Rev. Joanna Lubkin, Unitarian Universalist Area Church, Sherborn
Rev. Dr. Barbara Callaghan, Hancock United Church of Christ, Lexington
Rabbi Leora Abelson, Nehar Shalom Community Synagogue, Jamaica Plain
Rabbi Talia Stein, Temple Sinai, Brookline
Rev. Dr. Ellis I. Washington, St. Paul A.M.E. Church, Cambridge
Rev. Dr. Ian Mevorach, Common Street Spiritual Center, Natick
Rev. Leanne Walt, United Church of Christ Congregational Norwell
Rev. Eno Mondésir, Haitian Baptist Church of Cambridge, Cambridge
Rabbi Suzie Jacobson, Temple Israel, Boston
Rabbi Dan Slipakoff, Temple Israel, Boston
The Rev. Gregory Morisse, Plymouth Church, Framingham
Rev. David C. Clark, Hancock Church UCC, Lexington
Rev. Dr. Sara Garrard, Union Combined Parish (United Methodist), Boston
Rev. Kyle Walden, Union Combined Parish (United Methodist), Boston
Rev. Dr. Jay Williams, Union Combined Parish (United Methodist), Boston
Rabbi Elaine Zecher, Temple Israel of Boston
Rev. Ashley Popperson, Old South Church, Boston
Rev. Nikki Renée, Union Combined Parish (United Methodist), Boston
Rev. Jane Lawrence, Union Combined Parish (United Methodist), Boston
Rev. Cindy Worthington-Berry, First Congregational Church of Natick
Rev. Rob Mark, Lead Pastor, Church of the Covenant, Boston
Rabbi Andrew Oberstein, Temple Israel of Boston
Presiding Elder Jocelyn Hart Lovelace, Boston Hartford District AME Church
Rev. Ashley Renée, Union Combined Parish (United Methodist), Boston
Rabbi Rachel Gurevitz, Congregation B’nai Shalom, Westborough
Rabbi Neil P.G. Hirsch, Hevreh of Southern Berkshire, Great Barrington
The Rev. Kristian C. Kohler, University Lutheran Church, Cambridge
Rev. Kate Carlisle, Presbytery of Boston; Church of the Covenant, Boston
Imam Abdulqadir H. Farah, Islamic Society of Boston, Roxbury
Rabbi Jeremy Master, Sinai Temple, Springfield
Rev. Amy Norton, United Parish in Brookline, Brookline
Rabbi Leora Kling Perkins, Temple Emunah, Lexington
Cantor Rachel Reef-Simpson, Temple Emanuel of Andover, Andover
Rev. Brynn Harrington, Anchor Bay Church, Beverly
Rabbi David Lerner, Temple Emunah, Lexington
Rev. Dr. Donald A. Wells, Old South Church, Boston
Rev. Arrington Chambliss, St. Mary's Church, Dorchester
Rev. Kerry Maloney, Harvard Divinity School, Cambridge
Rev. Young Lee, The Korean Church of Boston
The Rev. Jean Southard, Presbytery of Boston
Rev. Jennifer McCracken, MANNA Community/Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Boston
Rev. Shelly Davis, East Congregational Church of Milton
Rev. Dr. R. Ward Holder, Presbytery of Boston
Rev. Kenneth Young, Calvary Baptist Church, Haverhill
Rev. Tom Reid, Newton Presbyterian Church, Newton
Rev. Catherine MacDonald, Presbytery of Boston
Rev. Sarah Hathaway, Chaplain and Teaching Elder in Presbytery of Boston
Rev. Shea Thompson, Trinity CME Church
The Very Rev. Amy McCreath, Cathedral Church of St. Paul (Episcopal)
Rev. Kenneth GY Grant, 4th Presbyterian Church South Boston
Rev. Dr. Charlene Zuill, United Methodist Clergywoman, Dorchester
Rev. Martha Schick, Congregational Church of Weston and Wellesley Village Church
Rev. Matthew Stewart, St. James's Episcopal Church, Cambridge
The Very Rev. Pamela Werntz, Emmanuel Church, Boston
Rev. Reebee Kavich Girash, Pilgrim Congregational Church, UCC, Lexington
Rev. Maeve Hammond, First Congregational Church, Winchester
The Rev. Nathan Ives, St. Peter's-San Pedro Episcopal, Salem
Mr. Jeffrey Bass, Executive Director, Emmanuel Gospel Center, Dorchester
Rabbi Eliana Jacobowitz, Temple B’nai Brith, Somerville
Rev. Dr. Donnie Anderson, Pilgrim United Church of Christ, New Bedford
Rev. Robert M. Hardies, The First Parish in Cambridge
Rev. Dorie Goehring, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Jamaica Plain
The Rev. Robert Greiner, Emmanuel Church Boston
The Rev. Dr. Matthew Cadwell, Old North Church, Boston
Rev. Beth Spaulding, First Church in Cambridge
The Rev. Liz Steinhauser, The Crossing, Episopal Diocese of Massachusetts
The Rev. Edwin Johnson, Episcopal City Mission
Rev. George Clifford, Chair, Episcopal Peace Fellowship, Boston
Rev. Dr. Michael Paul Melendez, St Peter’s-San Pedro Episcopal Church, Salem
Imam Abdullah Faaruuq, Mosque for Praising Allah, Roxbury
The Rev. Andrew Suitter, St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church, Sudbury
Rev. Kari Jo Verhulst, Lutheran Church of the Newtons, Newton
Rabbi Ben Rosen
Rabbi Vanessa Harper
The Rev. Amy Whitcomb Slemmer, Faith and Democracy, Boston
Rev. Mary Martha Thiel, First Church Cambridge UCC, Cambridge
Rev. Clyde Elledge, Church of St Andrew, Marblehead
The Rev. Andrew Goldhor, Good Shepherd Church, Watertown
The Rev. Isaac Provencio Martinez, Trinity Episcopal Parish, Melrose and The Allston Abbey
Rev. Jeremi Colvin, St. Luke's, Hudson
Rev. Zenetta Armstrong, Church of the Holy Spirit, Mattapan
Sister Margaret Lanen, Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur
Rev. Natalie E. Thomas, Deacon, Diocese of Massachusetts
The Rev. Holly H. Hartman, Old North/Christ Church Boston
Rabbi Dr. Michael J Shire, Central Reform Temple of Boston
Rev. Richard R. Andre, C. S. P.
Rabbi Lior Nevo
Rev. Rospignac Ambroise, St John’s, St James Episcopal Church, Roxbury
Rev. Joanne Hus, United Methodist Church of Martha's Vineyard, Oak Bluffs
Rev. Sharon Eckhardt, Martha's Vineyard Island Clergy Association, Martha's Vineyard
The Rev. Chip Seadale, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Edgartown
Rev. Matthew B. Splittgerber, Vineyard Assembly of God
Rev. Laura Everett, Massachusetts Council of Churches
Rabbi Joel Sisenwine
Cantor Josh Rosenberg
Rev. Roderick MacDonald, Presbytery of Boston
Rev. Armen Hanjian, First Congregational Church of West Tisbury
Rev. Vicky Hanjian, First Congregational Church of West Tisbury
Susan Waldroop, Interfaith Minister
Rabbi Lori Shaller, Independent Community Rabbi
The Rev. Stephen Harding, Rector, Grace Church Vineyard Haven
Rabbi Sam Blumberg, Temple Beth Am, Framingham
Rabbi Shani Rosenbaum, Hebrew College
Rev. Jane S. Lawrence, Union Combined Parish
Rev. Dieufort J. Fleurissaint, Total Health Christian Ministries
Rev. John Gibbons, Arlington Street Church, Boston
Rev. James W.S. Yansen Jr., Hyde Park Seventh Day Adventist Church, Hyde Park
Bishop Raymond Hall, Deliverance Temple Worship Center, Columbia Road, Dorchester
Rev. Dr. Arlene Hall, Deliverance Temple Worship Center, Columbia Road, Dorchester
Cantor Jodi Sufrin
Cantor Roy Einhorn, Temple Israel, Boston
Rev. Cathlin Baker, First Congregational Church, West Tisbury
Cantor Shanna Zell
Rev. Colin Leitch, Church on the Hill, Boston
Rev. Malia Crawford, Church of Our Saviour, Arlington
The Rev. Greg Johnston, St. John's Episcopal Church, Charlestown
Rev. Cynthia Hubbard, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Edgartown
Rev. Kim K. Crawford Harvie, Arlington Street Church (Unitarian Universalist), Boston
The Rev. John Beach, St. John's Episcopal Church, Saugus
Rev. Dr. George Walters-Sleyon, People's AME Church, Revere
Rabbi Jordy Callman
Rev. Bill Ragan, Old South Church, Boston
