In the halls of the progressive church, where spirits soar and hearts do lurch, there’s a material culture that tells a tale, of justice, love, and hope without fail.

On the walls, you’ll find art galore, depicting stories of struggle and more, from civil rights to climate change, each piece demanding we rearrange.

The altar is adorned with symbols and signs, crosses, candles, and chalices divine, but also crystals, herbs, and sage, reminding us of our earthy stage.

In the pews, you’ll see diverse attire, some in suits, others in attire more dire, but all are welcome, regardless of dress, for the heart is the altar we must address.

The hymns we sing are a joyous sound, lifting our spirits, feet off the ground, but the lyrics tell of a deeper call, to love our neighbor, to break down walls.

And when it’s time to break bread and wine, we’re reminded of a love so divine, but also of the struggles of those who came, who broke bread together in the face of shame.

This material culture, it speaks so loud, of a faith that’s not just in the cloud, but in the world, in the here and now, a faith that demands we speak truth to power somehow.

So let us embrace this culture, this way, of justice, love, and hope that will stay, and may it inspire us to do the work, of building a world where justice doesn’t shirk.