Well I’ve finally had a few minutes to pause and reflect on last week’s Central and South Coast Faith Leaders Day and I wanted to share with you a few thoughts I had on the day. 

“Faith Day” was truly a rich and full day.  I was inspired by the conversation and reflection on the question of faith and the role it can play in addressing our country’s challenges.  Our participants from the 23rd Congressional District impressed me with the passion of their convictions, the depth of their faith, and with their intelligence and thoughtfulness. 

Our second panel “Justice For All” was both stirring and empowering as we discussed the ways in which faith could be used to overcome common challenges and policy differences.  My friends Congressmen James P. McGovern (MA- 3) and John Lewis (GA- 5) gave moving and powerful speeches about their search for justice in politics and how that search has been aided by faith.  I was also struck by a comment by panelist Dr. James Zogby of the Arab American Institute.  To paraphrase, he encouraged us to seek a faith discourse that unites, heals, and uplifts us.  Considering how divisive our political discourse can often be, I thought that was a particularly significant insight.  In my own work in Congress I’ve seen how faith can bring together Members with differing political views and help us find common ground. 

Following our second panel we enjoyed lunch and a presentation, “Mapping the Future of Faith and Politics,” by Eric Sapp and Mara Vanderslice of Common Good Strategies.  This presentation inspired a lively discussion about faith and its influence on politics.  During the lunch presentation we were joined briefly by my friends Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (MD-5) and Majority Whip James E. Clyburn (SC-6).  Majority Leader Hoyer echoed sentiments from our earlier discussions when he asked us to focus on which binds us together, not just as Americans, but as people.  I thought his reflection that his faith tells him there are many ways to serve the common good was particularly powerful.  I also appreciated his observation that faith informs our policies and politics but we also respect and value the separation between church and state. 

We reconvened to start our third panel “Peace and Pluralism at Home and Abroad.”  This inspiring dialogue was led by Reverend Cletus Kiley of the Faith and Politics Institute; Mark Pelavin, of the Save Darfur Coalition and the Religious Action Center; and my friends Congresswoman Susan Davis (CA- 53) and Congressman Keith Ellison (MN–5).  Mark Pelavin spoke of the power of building coalitions – particularly among faith communities - to tackle the most difficult challenges that face us as a nation and as a global community.  During this panel we were joined briefly by Speaker Nancy Pelosi (CA- 8) who spoke eloquently of her own faith and the strength she derives from it.  She also made an important observation that as public servants we are constantly making decisions based on our values, and our faith plays an important part in setting priorities that reflect our values.

This description conveys only a small aspect of this rich and full day.  While it is critical that we maintain a clear institutional separation of church and state as dictated by our Constitution, it is also clear that there is an important place for the voices of people of faith in the public square. 

My hope is that the dialogue we began on Faith Leaders Day continues as we return to our communities and share our insights with others who were not able to join us in Washington.  While we all came from diverse backgrounds and different faith communities, we share a common love for our county and our fellow man and we all want to work together to address the challenges facing our nation and make the world a better place.

Pictured above: (center) Congresswoman Capps meets with Central Coast firefighters to discuss emergency preparedness.