RLC September Book Club: Zach Lambert - "Better Ways to Read the Bible"
2025-09-29 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Virtual
RLC September 2025 Book Club selection:
“Better Ways to Read the Bible: Transforming a Weapon of Harm into a Tool of Healing” by Zach W. Lambert.
Zach Lambert has seen the Bible used countless times as something far from the “Good Book”—both in his own life and in the experiences of others. He has seen the Bible weaponized to subjugate women, justify racism, bash LGBTQ+ people, cover up abuse, and exclude people who speak out against these injustices. In this book, Lambert calls readers to a more Christlike interpretation of Scripture. Lambert has created this accessible guide to help readers dismantle four common lenses for reading Scripture that lead to harm—Literalism, Apocalypse, Moralism,
and Hierarchy. Instead, he offers four new lenses—Jesus, Context, Flourishing, and Fruitfulness—that promote healing and wholeness for all people. This book helps transform the Bible from a weapon that condemns, oppresses, and excludes into a tool that liberates. Better Ways to Read the Bible welcomes all Christians to reengage Scripture in life-giving ways.
Zach W. Lambert is the lead pastor and founder of Restore, a church in Austin, Texas. Under his leadership, Restore has grown from a launch team of five people in 2015 to more than one thousand members today. He holds a master of theology from Dallas Theological Seminary and is pursuing his doctorate at Duke Divinity School. Zach is the cofounder of the Post-Evangelical Collective and serves on the boards of the Austin Church Planting Network and the Multi-Faith Neighbors Network. Zach and his wife, Amy, met each other in the sixth grade, fell in love at seventeen, and got married at twenty-one. They love watching live music, discovering local Mexican food places, and playing with their two boys.

🎥 Watch the YouTube replay of this Book Club with Zach
🎥 Watch further conversations with Zach in May 2026
📕 Check out Zach’s book: Better Ways to Read the Bible
Find Zach’s socials (x, threads, insta): @‌zachwlambert

Monthly Morning Prayer: Special October MMP with friends from Common Hymnal
2025-10-01 09:00 - 10:00 (America/New_York) | Virtual
Malcolm du Plessis describes himself as the Prince of Random, based on his zigzag history and his penchant for risk taking. He has straddled the worlds of religion and showbiz for over forty years: from songwriter to song publisher; from human rights activist to church planter; from artist manager to record company exec; from mentor to undeveloped talent to consultant to record labels, publishing companies and movements; from aggregator of a musical movement that fused praise and protest in the apartheid era of his native South Africa to instigating a similar endeavor in his new South Africa, the US, several decades later. He has had a footprint in the ‘mainstream’ but identifies primarily as an underground activist with a passion to dismantle colonial hierarchies in all of their various shapes and forms. Common Hymnal, his most recent undertaking, centers life, justice and underground spirituality, and mirrors his eclectic DNA.
A virtual hymnbook stocked with forward-facing content from the spiritual underground, Common Hymnal is an online platform that was established five years ago as an outlet for creatives on the outermost margins of the Christian faith. One of the consequences of the dramatic shifts in culture in recent years is the displacement of a generation of gifted artists and thinkers who are writing songs and telling stories that do not fit the religious industrial complex. In making a home for these people, Common Hymnal has been able to curate an intriguing catalog of music that centers life, justice and underground spirituality, covering a wide range of subject matter in a broad range of styles. As such, Common Hymnal has recorded and released a fresh collection of songs each year since its inception. All the while, the clamor for this music to be brought into live spaces has been on the increase. The ecosystem is full of dynamic performers, and different combos of artists are traveling out to do shows on a regular basis. Because of the intentionality of the lyrics, the project has gained significant traction in the justice movement. The aspiration is to become more and more a part of the zeitgeist of the culture at large.

Monthly Morning Prayer follows the liturgy from Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals and is open to all.

October 1, 2025 9 AM ET Live on all Red Letter Christians social media platforms + Zoom! Register at Meeting Registration – Zoom

Stop the Execution of Roy Ward in Indiana
2025-10-10 00:00 - 23:59 (America/New_York)
An execution date has been set for Indiana death row prisoner Roy Ward on October 10, 2025 for the 2001 murder of Stacy Payne.

While the vast majority of states with capital punishment continue on a downward trend of executions, Indiana is out of step with national trends. In late 2024, Indiana performed its 1st execution in 15 years, and continues to schedule more execution dates.
Please sign the petition asking Governor Braun to do everything within his power to stop this execution, including issuing a stay, and seeking a path to clemency in the case.

Stop the Execution of Lance Shockley in Missouri
2025-10-14 00:00 - 23:59 (America/New_York)
Lance Shockley is scheduled for execution in Missouri on October 14, 2025 for the 2005 murder of Carl Graham Jr.

We believe in accountability, but true accountability does not require execution. A sentence of life without the possibility of parole protects society while also recognizing the human capacity for redemption and the role of childhood trauma in shaping adult behavior.
Missouri does not need the death penalty to be safe. This execution will not make us safer, it will simply add another act of violence to an already tragic story. Justice does not require death. Missouri’s continued use of executions marks the state as an outlier in its use of the death penalty. The majority of other states are on a downward trend of executions.
Please sign the petition asking Governor Mike Parson to do everything within his power to stop this execution, including issuing a stay, and seeking a path to clemency in the case.
Petitions will be delivered on your behalf in the days leading up to the execution.

RLC October Book Club: Rev. Dr. Drew G. I. Hart - "Making It Plain: Why We Need Anabaptism and the Black Church"
2025-10-29 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Virtual
Mark your calendars!Our next book club features our friend — the Rev. Dr. Drew G. I. Hart, associate professor of theology at Messiah University and co-host of Inverse Podcast. Drew is also known for his books Trouble I’ve Seen and Who Will Be A Witness? and his work leading Thriving Together: Congregations for Racial Justice.His newest book, Making It Plain: Why We Need Anabaptism and the Black Church, is a prophetic call to confront the deep legacy of white Christian supremacy and recover a liberating faith rooted in Jesus. Drew shows how the radical discipleship of Anabaptism and the prophetic tradition of the Black Church offer a Spirit-filled, justice-seeking path forward — one that resists empire and white Christian nationalism while centering the vulnerable and embodying God’s liberation and peace.
If you long for a faith that challenges oppression and nurtures true community, this conversation is for you! Get your copy today and register to join us.Event Details: October 29th 7pm ET Zoom / Live on Red Letter Christians’ Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube channels Register on Zoom: Meeting Registration – Zoom

Follow Rev. Dr. Drew G. I. Hart on social media…

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@DruHart
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DruHart
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/druhart.bsky.social
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drew.hart.396515

Monthly Morning Prayer: Special November morning prayer w/friends who will be at The Peacemaker Summit
2025-11-01 09:00 - 10:00 (America/New_York)
Join us for a very special monthly morning prayer w/friends who will be at the Peacemaker Summit.
Mike Martin is the Executive Director and Founder of RAWtools. He lives in Colorado Springs with his partner Hannah and 2 kids. He learned to blacksmith in order to turn guns into garden tools and is trained in restorative practices for High Impact Dialogue, conflict facilitation, and others. He is co-author of Beating Guns, Hope for People who Are Weary of Violence, as well as other curriculums related to gun violence prevention.
Scotty Utz is an Artist Blacksmith with RAWtools South. Scott’s work explores the intersections between theology and craftsmanship; he creates objects and spaces that mingle spirit and material. Sometimes this is a whimsical or functional item, other times it is a focal point in a gathering place, and at other moments it’s in the give and take of a mentoring relationship.
Rev. Sharon Washington Risher, born in Charleston, SC and a graduate of Johnson C. Smith University and Austin (TX) Theological Seminary, is a spokesperson of Everytown Survivor and Moms Demand Gun Sense in America.
On June 17th, 2015, a horrific tragedy happened; Sharon’s mother, Mrs. Ethel Lee Lance, was killed in Charleston, SC, at the Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church. Eight others were also killed, including two of Sharon’s cousins and a childhood friend.
Since that fateful day, Sharon has crossed the nation sharing her story of loss, forgiveness, racism, and gun law reforms. She has appeared on CNN, Good Morning America, CBS, NPR, PBS, BBC, and other news outlets; been interviewed by Time¸ Essence, Marie-Claire and others; written for several print outlets including Vogue and VOX. She was a special guest of President Obama for the signing of gun law related Executive Orders.
Sharon is the author of For Such a Time as This: Hope and Forgiveness after the Charleston Massacre.

Monthly Morning Prayer follows the liturgy from Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals and is open to all.

November 1, 2025 9 AM ET Live on all Red Letter Christians social media platforms + Zoom! Register at Meeting Registration – Zoom

2nd Annual Peacemaker Summit, Philadelphia, PA
2025-11-21 00:00 - 2025-11-22 23:59 (America/New_York)
Join Us This November
RLC is excited to co-sponsor the 2nd annual Peacemaker Summit in collaboration with RAWtools Philly and others! Join us November 21–22 in Philly for the 2nd annual Peacemaker Summit! We will bring together people on the front lines of peacemaking and those working to interrupt violence in our streets and in our world.
Together, we’ll share best practices in peacemaking, hear from incredible musicians, and join in for hands-on demonstrations in forging, welding, and woodturning.
Sessions will include restorative justice, Kingian Nonviolence, de-escalation, and global peacemaking.
There will also be early bird workshops to learn how to decommission firearms!
Registration is required and you can save your spot here! If you have any questions, please email Kasey Fristoe at kasey@rawtools.org.

2024 RECAP

November Book Club w/Ross Wagner, Daniel Bannoura, Anton Deik: "Being Christian after the Desolation of Gaza"
2025-11-25 19:00 - 20:05 (America/New_York)
Join us for a very special November Book Club discussing “Being Christian after the Desolation of Gaza.”

Thanks everyone for joining us for Book Club tonight! Here are links and resources from tonight’s discussion:
📖 The Book

Being Christian After the Desolation of Gaza – Order the book directly from the publisher

✍️ Letters & Declarations

A Call for Repentance: An Open Letter from Palestinian Christians to Western Church Leaders and Theologians
Response to “A Call for Repentance” – Red Letter Christians
Church at the Crossroads Conference Declaration – Read the letters and sign the declaration
Church at the Crossroads: Responding to the Calls of Palestinian Christians – Sign the declaration on Change.org
Christianity Today Survey – Let Christianity Today know that you support Gaza and ask them to do the same

🎙️ Across the Divide Podcast
Daniel Bannoura’s podcast on Palestine-Israel through the lens of faith and peacemaking:

Website | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Instagram

🔗 Additional Resources

Bethlehem Institute for Peace and Justice Resource Hub
Munther Isaac’s “Sermon to the West”
Christ at the Checkpoint Conference – May 26–30, 2026 in Bethlehem, Palestine

📅 Upcoming from Red Letter Christians

December Morning Prayer – Join us on December 1st, 2025 with contributors to our 2025 Advent Calendar
Advent 2025: God With Us – Faith in the Face of Genocide

Daniel Bannoura
Daniel is a Palestinian theologian and podcaster. He received his PhD degree in Qur’anic studies at the University of Notre Dame, and his research focuses on the redaction of the Qur’an, Syriac in Late Antiquity, Christian-Muslim relations, and Palestinian theology. Daniel is the advocacy officer of the Bethlehem Institute for Peace and Justice, and is also a co-host of “Across the Divide”, a podcast that provides a space for thoughtful conversations about Palestine-Israel through the lens of faith and peace-making.
J. Ross Wagner
Ross is Associate Professor of New Testament at Duke Divinity School with a research focus on Paul’s letters, the Septuagint, and the theological exegesis of Scripture. An Anglican priest, he has taught courses in Israel/Palestine for undergraduates, divinity students, and pastors.
Anton Deik
Tony is a Palestinian Christian living in Latin America. He’s an Associate Director with the Bethlehem Institute for Peace and Justice and featured speaker at Christ at the Checkpoint conference and Church at the Crossroads conference.
Gary M. Burge
Gary is an America author and professor. He is a New Testament scholar at Calvin Theological Seminary. He earned his Ph.D., from Aberdeen University, Scotland, was a professor of New Testament in the Department of Theology at Wheaton College and Graduate School. Gary is ordained in the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. and is a frequent speaker at conferences, retreats and churches. He also leads faculty development workshops at colleges and seminaries based on his 2015 book, Mapping Your Academic Career. He is also deeply invested in the Middle East and its churches from Iraq to Egypt and travels there annually.
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Event Details: November 25th 7pm ET Zoom / Live on Red Letter Christians’ Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube channels Register on Zoom: Meeting Registration – Zoom
Meeting Registration – Zoom

December Monthly Morning Prayer | 2025 Advent Devotional Contributors
2025-12-01 09:00 - 10:00 (America/New_York) | https://redletterchristians.org/event/december-morning-prayer-w-contributors-to-our-2025-advent-calendar/
December Monthly Morning Prayer with Advent Devotional Contributors
This December, our monthly morning prayer gathers with contributors to the RLC 2025 Advent Devotional, “God With Us: Faith in the Face of Genocide.”
As the world has watched devastation unfold in Gaza and across the Holy Land, many have asked, “Where is God?” Our Palestinian Christian siblings offer a profound answer rooted in the heart of our faith: Emmanuel—God is with us. God is in the rubble. God is with the grieving, the suffering, and all those crushed under the weight of empire.
Join us as we pray alongside the voices who have guided our Advent journey this year—Palestinian Christians living and ministering at the geographic and spiritual heart of the Christmas story. Together, we hold space for lament, hope, and the radical solidarity embodied in the incarnation.
Featured contributors to the 2025 Advent Devotional include Anton Deik, Muna Nassar, Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb, Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac, Shadia Qubti, Shireen Awwad Hilal, and others.
About the Advent Devotional
“God With Us: Faith in the Face of Genocide” centers Palestinian Christian voices as we journey through this holy season, remembering that the Christ who came to Bethlehem still comes to places of suffering and occupation today.

Stop The Execution of Harold Nichols in Tennessee
2025-12-11 00:00 - 23:59 (America/New_York)
Tennessee has set an execution date of December 11, 2025 for Harold Nichols, who was convicted and sentenced to death for the 1988 murder of Karen Pulley.

Call Governor Lee at 615-741-2001 with the following message:
“Hi. My name is [your name]. I am calling to ask that Gov. Lee follows the teachings of his faith and intervene to stop the execution of Donald Middlebrooks on September 24, 2025. Thank you.”

Further details coming soon.
Please sign the petition asking Governor Lee to do everything within his power to stop this execution, including issuing a stay, and seeking a path to clemency in the case.

RLC December Book Club: "1984" (w/special guest Katie Jo)
2025-12-30 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York)
RLC Book Club: “1984” (w/special guest Katie Jo)

December book club is a little unique… we’re going to feature 1984 & Katie is going to be the guest for discussion with Shane. More details to come!
Meeting Registration – Zoom
Dec 30, 2025 07:00 PM ET

January 2026 Monthly Morning Prayer with RLC Board & Staff
2026-01-01 09:00 - 10:00 (America/New_York) | https://redletterchristians.org/event/january-2026-monthly-morning-prayer/
Join us on January 1 for a SPECIAL morning prayer with RLC Board and Staff!

Zoom registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/dZN5OnbuTNWznx0_qV3-zg
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RLC January Book Club: "Martyrs to the Unspeakable: The Assassinations of JFK, Malcolm, Martin, and RFK", by Jim Douglass
2026-01-27 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Virtual
Martyrs to the Unspeakable: The Assassinations of JFK, Malcolm, Martin, and RFK by peace activist and writer James Douglass.
In this timely and deeply researched work, Douglass connects four of the most consequential assassinations of the 1960s, arguing that leaders who made prophetic commitments to peace and social transformation were ultimately viewed as enemies of the state. He explores how these deaths were not isolated tragedies, but part of a larger effort to suppress a rising global movement for justice and peace.
Co-hosted by Shane Claiborne and Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, this conversation wrestles with the book’s central questions: What does this hidden history reveal about power, violence, and resistance—and how might recovering these stories help us continue the unfinished work of peace today?
Watch the Conversation

About the Book
Peace activist and writer James Douglass follows up his bestselling JFK and the Unspeakable: Why He Died and Why It Matters with a new work connecting JFK’s death with three other earthshaking assassinations of the 1960s.
In Martyrs to the Unspeakable (Orbis Books, 2025), Douglass posits that American figures who made prophetic commitments to peace and social transformation were regarded as enemies of the state who had to be eliminated. He demonstrates how the template for JFK’s death was enacted in the deaths of Bobby Kennedy, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King, Jr.
Douglass believes this hidden history holds a key to recovering and advancing their mission and setting our country and the world on a path to peace.

February 2026 Monthly Morning Prayer with Latasha Morrison
2026-02-01 09:00 - 10:00 (America/New_York) | https://redletterchristians.org/event/february-2026-monthly-morning-prayer-with-latasha-morrison/
Join us for a morning prayer with author, leader, and change agent Latasha Morrison.
Latasha Morrison is a New York Times best-selling author and the founder of Be the Bridge, a nonprofit organization empowering people and culture toward racial healing, equity, and reconciliation. Her influential book, Be the Bridge, has become a guiding resource for individuals and communities working toward a future free from racial division.
Her newest book, Brown Faces, White Spaces: Confronting Systemic Racism to Bring Healing and Restoration, continues that work by exploring what it means to recognize and confess the truth about inequities in the system (preparation), commit ourselves to changing the system (dedication), and move into true freedom as a society (liberation).
Through her writing, speaking, and organizational leadership, Latasha Morrison continues to ignite conversations, challenge societal norms, and empower others to increase racial literacy and pursue racial justice.
📖 Resources & Links

Brown Faces, White Spaces: Confronting Systemic Racism to Bring Healing and Restoration
Be The Bridge Website
Be The Bridge Course Catalogue
Be The Bridge Community Platform
Latasha Morrison’s Website

Ash Wednesday virtual practicum with Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb and Common Hymnal friends
2026-02-18 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York)
As part of our Peace Communion project, we invite you to join us for a virtual practicum on Ash Wednesday, Feb 18 @ 11am ET featuring Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb and friends with Common Hymnal.
This program is made possible through a Vital Worship Grant from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Grand Rapids, Michigan, with funds provided by Lilly Endowment Inc.
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Mentioned in This Livestream
📖 Books & Resources
RLC’s 40 Days 40 Ways
Peace Communion Set
Outside the USA? Send us a message and we’ll help you get the Peace Communion Set or any other books and materials you’re interested in.
✍️ Mitri Raheb
Visit Mitri’s website at mitriraheb.org. Check out Shane’s favorite books by Mitri:

Decolonizing Palestine
Faith in the Face of Empire

🕊️ Gaza

God Loves Gaza
Shop our Gaza support collection

🎵 Music
Check out Phillip and Common Hymnal. Watch “The Kingdom is Yours”
📅 Stay Connected
View our calendar and join us for Monthly Morning Prayers, Book Clubs, and more.
💬 Share Your Feedback
We’d be so grateful for your feedback on this practicum! Take our short survey — it should take less than 5 minutes.

RLC February Book Club: Dave Gibbons "The Shape of My Eyes"
2026-02-23 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Virtual
Red Letter Christians Book Club discusses The Shape of My Eyes with author Dave Gibbons.
Dave Gibbons was born in Seoul, Korea, yet was culturally raised in America. He works in both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations as an advisor, speaker, and spiritual leader. He founded one of the fastest-growing, diverse churches in America, as well as XEALOTS, a global network of third culture leaders. Dave has served as a board member with social-impact organizations such as World Vision and Fuller Seminary, and loves working with creators and innovators in entertainment, sports, government, finance, and nonprofits. Dave lives in California and Asia with his wife, Becca. He has four adult children and two granddogs. Home is Orange County, California, Seoul, Bangkok, and São Paulo.
📚 Get Dave’s book direct from the RLC Store
🎥 Watch the replay on YouTube
Join us for upcoming events:
🙏 Monthly Morning Prayer with Tiffany Bluhm (March 2nd): https://redletterchristians.org/event/march-2026-monthly-morning-prayer-with-tiffany-bluhm/
📖 Next Book Club: Braving the Truth: Essential Essays for Reckoning with and Reimagining Faith by Rachel Held Evans, with editor Sarah Bessey: https://redletterchristians.org/event/braving-the-truth-sarah-bessey-rachel-held-evans
🗓️ See all our upcoming events: https://redletterchristians.org/events/

March 2026 Monthly Morning Prayer with Tiffany Bluhm
2026-03-02 09:00 - 10:00 (America/New_York) | https://redletterchristians.org/event/march-2026-monthly-morning-prayer-with-tiffany-bluhm/
Join us for a very special monthly morning prayer with author Tiffany Bluhm on Monday, March 2 at 9 AM ET
Tiffany Bluhm is a speaker and writer with twenty years of experience in social impact leadership. She is the author of The Women We’ve Been Waiting For, Prey Tell, and other books and Bible studies. Her writing has been featured in Publishers Weekly, Sojourners, Red Letter Christians, YouVersion Bible app, and more. She speaks on justice, faith, leadership, and women’s liberation. She serves full-time as the Executive Director of PAX, a foundation providing mentorship and instruction to Christians of color pursuing peace, justice, and contemplation. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two sons.

Zoom registration link: Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: RLC Monthly Morning Prayer w/Tiffany Bluhm. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.
Social Media: Tiffany Bluhm (@tiffanybluhm) • Instagram profile
Made for PAX (@madeforpax) • Instagram profile

This Monthly Morning Prayer follows the liturgy from Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals and is open to all.

March 2 9 AM ET Live on all Red Letter Christians social media platforms + Zoom! Register at Meeting Registration – Zoom
Let’s gather to pray, learn, and grow together in the way of Jesus—rooted in peace, community, and courageous love.

No Kings. No Thrones. No Crowns. March 28.
2026-03-28 00:00 - 23:59 (America/New_York)
Biggest protest in US history. This Saturday March 28. Join your local revolution. There are over 3000 events happening across the country and around the globe.

In America, we have No Kings.
Masked secret police terrorizing our communities. An illegal, catastrophic war putting us in danger and driving up our costs. Attacks on our freedom of speech, our civil rights, our freedom to vote. Costs pushing families to the brink. Trump wants to rule over us as a tyrant. But this is America, and power belongs to the people – not to wannabe kings or their billionaire cronies.
On March 28th, we show up together, and we say, loud and clear: No Kings.

Find an Event near you

As President Trump escalates his attempts to control us, it is on us, the people, to show that we will fight to protect one another and our country. If he believes we will roll over and allow him to take our freedoms, he is mistaken. We are coming together again on March 28 because we know we can overcome this repression when we unite.

RLC March Book Club: "Braving the Truth: Essential Essays for Reckoning with and Reimagining Faith" with Sarah Bessey, editor and dear friend of the late author Rachel Held Evans
2026-03-30 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Virtual
In this special book club conversation, we discuss Braving the Truth: Essential Essays for Reckoning with and Reimagining Faith with Sarah Bessey, editor of the collection and dear friend of Rachel Held Evans — along with other contributors to the book.
Together, they explore the essays Rachel left behind and the continuing impact of her work on faith, doubt, justice, and belonging.

Sarah Bessey is a Canadian writer whose work creates spaces of welcome where questions are honored, stories matter, and resilient hope is practiced, one small faithful act at a time. She is the bestselling author of Field Notes for the Wilderness: Practices for an Evolving Faith and the New York Times bestseller A Rhythm of Prayer, among others. Living in Calgary with her family, she writes from the ordinary rhythms of life with warmth and theological generosity. Find her online at sarahbessey.com.
Get your copy of Braving the Truth and join the conversation.

April 2026 Monthly Morning Prayer with Author and RLC Board Member, Lisa Sharon Harper
2026-04-01 09:00 - 10:00 (America/New_York) | https://redletterchristians.org/event/april-2026-monthly-morning-prayer-with-rlc-board-chair-pastor-todd-yeary-and-board-member-lisa-sharon-harper/
In this Monthly Morning Prayer gathering, author and RLC Board Member Lisa Sharon Harper joins us for a time of reflection tied to our #40Days40Ways initiative and the journey toward Easter.

Follow along with the morning prayer reading at commonprayer.one.
Lisa Sharon Harper is a speaker, activist, educator and author of several books including The Very Good Gospel and Fortune.
Film — The Voice of Hind Rajab
Watch the trailer for The Voice of Hind Rajab — a film discussed during this gathering.
Watch the Philly Pilgrimage video playlist on YouTube.
Books Mentioned
Bonhoeffer’s Black Jesus by Reggie L. Williams
The Very Good Gospel by Lisa Sharon Harper
Fortune by Lisa Sharon Harper
Upcoming RLC Events
RLC Book Club — Bonhoeffer’s Black Jesus by Reggie L. Williams
Good Trouble on Good Friday at Lockheed Martin
Yale Center for Public Theology & Public Policy National Conference

Good Trouble on Good Friday at Lockheed Martin: Register to Join Us!
2026-04-03 11:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Lockheed Martin, 230 Mall Blvd, King of Prussia, PA, 19406
Save the Date & Register Below!!
Title: Good Friday vigil and protest at Lockheed Martin
Date: April 3, 2026
Where: Lockheed Martin in King of Prussia, Philadelphia
Description: Please make plans to join us for our third annual Good Friday vigil and protest at weapons manufacturer Lockheed Martin.
Registration link:
Good Friday @ Lockheed Martin, Philadelphia: Prayer Vigil & Direct Action Registration Form

RLC April Book Club: "Bonhoeffer's Black Jesus" (Dr. Reggie Williams)
2026-04-29 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Virtual
In this special book club conversation, Dr. Reggie Williams joins us to discuss his book, Bonhoeffer’s Black Jesus.
You are invited: RLC April Book Club w/Reggie Williams (Bonhoeffer’s Black Jesus). After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.

Register to Join Us!
Reggie Williams, PhD is an Associate Professor of Theological Studies at St. Louis University and author of six books, including the groundbreaking book Bonhoeffer’s Black Jesus: Harlem Renaissance Theology and an Ethic of Resistance, which is widely considered one of the best works on Bonhoeffer’s time in America ever written. His book was named Outstanding Academic Title by Baylor Press and won Dr. Williams recognition in as a Black Christian Social Ethicist. His academic interests address the problem of an idealized humanity and community in Western world Christianity. By asking what it means to be Christian and human, Williams explores how to recover from the distortions that turn Christ into a site for the promotion of harmful religious practices. His work draws widely upon Black studies, theological studies, and Christian Ethics.

May 2026 Monthly Morning Prayer with Zach Lambert
2026-05-01 09:00 - 10:00 (America/New_York) | https://redletterchristians.org/event/may-2026-monthly-morning-prayer/
Join us for prayer and conversation with Jonathan and Zach. Follow along with the morning prayer reading at commonprayer.one.

Author Bio:
Zach W. Lambert is the lead pastor and founder of Restore, a church in Austin, Texas. Under his leadership, Restore has grown from a launch team of five people in 2015 to more than one thousand members today. He holds a master of theology from Dallas Theological Seminary and is pursuing his doctorate at Duke Divinity School. Zach is the cofounder of the Post-Evangelical Collective and serves on the boards of the Austin Church Planting Network and the Multi-Faith Neighbors Network. Zach and his wife, Amy, met each other in the sixth grade, fell in love at seventeen, and got married at twenty-one. They love watching live music, discovering local Mexican food places, and playing with their two boys.
🎥 Watch the Morning Prayer event with Zach
🎥 Watch RLC Book Club event with Zach
📕 Check out Zach’s book: Better Ways to Read the Bible
Find Zach’s socials (x, threads, insta): @‌zachwlambert
Also mentioned during this livestream:

MAY DAY – Nationwide Nonviolent Actions – https://maydaystrong.org/
Nonviolent: A Memoir of Resistance, Agitation, and Love by Reverend James Lawson Jr. & Emily Yellin
Zach’s church: RESTORE in Austin, TX – https://www.restoreaustin.org/
Taylor Leonhardt music – https://www.taylorleonhardt.com & on Spotify
Common Hymnal music – https://commonhymnal.com & on Spotify

Stop The Execution of Leroy McGill in Arizona
2026-05-20 00:00 - 23:59 (America/Phoenix)
Leroy McGill is scheduled for execution in Arizona on May 20, 2026, for the 2002 murder of Charles Perez. McGill would be the third execution under the administrations of Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes and Gov. Katie Hobbs after the executions of Aaron Gunches and Richard Djerf in 2025.
Call Gov. Hobbs at 602-542-4331 with the following message:
“Hi. My name is [your name]. I am calling to urge Gov. Hobbs to reverse course and halt all plans to execute Leroy McGill on May 20, 2026. We are deeply troubled that Gov. Hobbs ran on a promise of transparency yet has allowed executions in Arizona to resume before a full investigation into the state’s execution procedures could be completed. Thank you.”
REGISTER FOR VIRTUAL VIGIL BEGINNING AT 9AM MT ON 5/20/26.

The following is shared by our partners at Death Penalty Alternatives for Arizona:
During sentencing, Mr. McGill presented extensive evidence of lifelong instability and neglect:

A deeply fractured and abusive childhood
Repeated removal from his home due to lack of care
Placement in multiple children’s homes and reform schools
Early exposure to drugs and alcohol
Long-term substance addiction, including chronic, daily methamphetamine use
Evidence of psychological immaturity and susceptibility to coercive relationships
Documented institutional stability, including working well in structured environments and requiring little supervision
Experts testified that when Mr. McGill was placed in stable, structured settings as a child, he improved dramatically—but those environments were temporary, inconsistent, and ultimately removed.
A defense psychologist noted that these were the only circumstances under which Mr. McGill ever “blossomed.”
Neuropsychological testimony further explained how early neglect, substance dependency, and an abusive adult relationship impaired his judgment and decision-making leading up to the crime.

The clemency process is not a retry.
It is the only place left where the state can ask a different question:
Does executing this person now reflect justice—or merely the final abandonment of responsibility for every failure that came before the crime?

If carried out, Leroy’s execution in Arizona will be the state’s third since the practice was halted in 2022 after a series of botched lethal injections. Gov. Katie Hobbs ordered a state-wide moratorium until the situation could be properly investigated. She appointed a retired federal judge to conduct the review but fired him before he could finish his investigation. Thereafter, she decided that an internal review would suffice, and the moratorium was subsequently lifted in November 2024.
While most states have moved away from the death penalty, Arizona is accelerating executions. Each warrant signed underscores the state’s embrace of a punishment that is arbitrary, racially biased, and out of step with evolving standards of decency.
We believe in accountability, and have sympathy for the victim’s family members, friends, and community. Their loss is tragic and unimaginable. But true justice and accountability do not require execution. This execution will not make us safer; it will simply add another act of violence to an already tragic story.
Please sign the petition asking the Arizona governor to do everything in her power to stop this execution, including issuing a stay, and seeking a path to clemency in the case.

Stop the Execution of Tony Carruthers in Tennessee
2026-05-21 00:00 - 23:59 (America/Phoenix)
Tennessee has scheduled Tony Carruthers for execution on May 21, 2026, for the 1994 murders of Marcellos Anderson, Delois Anderson, and Frederick Tucker.

The following has been shared by the US Campaign to End the Death Penalty and Tennesseans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty:
Tennessee intends to move forward with Tony’s execution despite the fact that the State refuses to carry out basic forensic testing(fingerprint and DNA) that could exculpate him.

No physical evidence linking Tony to the crime
Convictions rest on the testimony of paid jailhouse informants
Fingerprints and DNA from the crime scene don’t match Tony

One of the individuals who participated in the murder said that Tony wasn’t involved, and instead directed law enforcement to Ronnie Irving — State refuses to test DNA and fingerprints against Ronnie.

Tony lives with severe mental illness and was forced to represent himself at trial

It is unconscionable that the State would force Tony to represent himself at trial and allow this execution to proceed, given all that is known about the case.
Call Gov. Lee at 615-741-2001 with the following message:
“Hi. My name is [your name]. I am calling to urge Gov. Lee to reverse course and halt all plans to execute Tony Carruthers on May 21, 2026. There are several deeply concerning elements to this case, including the fact that an individual who participated in the murders said Tony was not involved. This individual pointed investigators to Ronnie Irving — yet they refuse to test the DNA and fingerprints against Ronnie Irving. As one who purports to follow Christian teachings, it is deeply disappointing that he does not extend these teachings to the individuals condemned to death in the state of Tennessee.”
REGISTER FOR THE 5/21 VIRTUAL VIGIL BEGINNING AT 9AM CT.

We are concerned that while the vast majority of states with capital punishment continue on a downward trend of executions, Tennessee continues to go against trend by carrying on an aggressive execution schedule.

We are asking the governor to stop this execution by issuing a stay, and seeking a path to clemency in the case.

Stop the Execution of Richard Knight in Florida
2026-05-21 00:00 - 23:59 (America/Phoenix)
Richard Knight is scheduled for execution in Florida on May 21, 2026 for the 2000 murders of Odessia Stephens and Hanessia Mullings.
At trial, despite the fact that there was evidence presented of significant trauma, medical issues, and neurological impairment, the court found no “statutory mitigation”. That is absurd, given the lifetime of abandonment, abuse, sexual violence, and untreated medical issues that Richard survived.
There are a myriad of issues in this case that remain unsolved:

A jury that never heard a complete picture of his life, mental health, or health issues

He was repeatedly sexually assaulted as a child
As he grew older, he developed seizures, blackouts, head trauma, severe headaches—at times so severe that he banged his head on hard surfaces.

Forensic evidence pointing to an unidentified individual

a latent fingerprint left on the blade of the murder weapon that does not match Richard Knight and remains unidentified to this day
Richard’s team is seeking to run the print through modern AFIS databases to see if the fingerprint can be matched to someone in national systems

Scientific questions that have never been fully explored
And a rushed process that leaves no time to answer them

This “fire drill” process raises serious concerns about whether the courts — and the public — have had a full and fair opportunity to evaluate the case before the State carries out an irreversible act.

The narrative above was shared by our partners at Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty.
Call Gov. DeSantis at 850-717-9337 with the following message:
“Hi. My name is [your name]. I am calling to urge Gov. DeSantis to reverse course and halt all plans to execute Richard Knight on May 21, 2026. As someone who purports to follow Christian teachings, it is deeply disappointing that he does not extend these teachings to the individual condemned to death in the state of Florida. Please do not move forward with the execution of Richard Knight.“
REGISTER FOR THE 5/21 EXECUTION VIGIL BEGINNING AT 5PM ET.

This is the eighth death warrant of 2026, following an unprecedented execution pace in 2025. Florida led the nation in executions in 2025 by setting its own record for executions with Governor DeSantis signing 19 death warrants last year. Let’s make sure Florida does not repeat this record in 2026.
While most states have moved away from the death penalty, Florida is accelerating executions at an alarming rate. Each warrant signed underscores the state’s embrace of a punishment that is arbitrary, racially biased, and out of step with evolving standards of decency.
Please sign the petition asking Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida State Board of Executive Clemency to do everything within their power to stop this execution, including issuing a stay, and seeking a path to clemency in the case.

RLC May Book Club: "Liturgies for Resisting Empire" with Kat Armas
2026-05-26 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Virtual
Kat Armas (MDiv, MAT, Fuller Theological Seminary) is the recipient of Fuller Seminary’s Frederick Buechner Award for Excellence in Writing. She is pursuing a ThM at Vanderbilt Divinity School. Armas is the author of two books, Abuelita Faith and Sacred Belonging. She lives outside Nashville, Tennessee, with her family.

June 2026 Monthly Morning Prayer with Peter Storey
2026-06-01 09:00 - 10:00 (America/New_York) | Virtual
Register now: Meeting Registration – Zoom
Zoom registration link:
Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: RLC May Morning Prayer w/Peter Storey. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.

Follow along with the morning prayer reading at commonprayer.one.

Author Bio:
Peter Storey is the Ruth W. and A. Morris Williams Distinguished Professor Emeritus of the Practice of Christian Ministry at Duke Divinity School. A prominent Christian leader in the church’s struggle against apartheid, he was presiding bishop of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa and served as president of the South African Council of Churches in partnership with Bishop Desmond Tutu. He played a central role in the transition to a democratic South Africa through his work with the National Peace Accord and his nomination by Nelson Mandela to help select members of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
More about Peter: https://divinity.duke.edu/faculty/peter-storey

Stop the Execution of Andrew Lukehart in Florida
2026-06-02 00:00 - 23:59 (America/Phoenix)
Andrew Lukehart is scheduled for execution in Florida on June 2, 2026, for the 1997 murder of Gabrielle Hanshaw.
This petition will be updated when additional details become available.
Visit our partners at Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty.
Call Gov. DeSantis at 850-717-9337 with the following message:
“Hi. My name is [your name]. I am calling to urge Gov. DeSantis to reverse course and halt all plans to execute Andrew Lukehart on June 2, 2026. As someone who purports to follow Christian teachings, it is deeply disappointing that he does not extend these teachings to the individual condemned to death in the state of Florida. Please do not move forward with the execution of Andrew Lukehart.“
REGISTER FOR THE 6/2 VIRTUAL VIGIL BEGINNING AT 5PM ET.

This is the ninth death warrant of 2026, following an unprecedented execution pace in 2025. Florida led the nation in executions in 2025 by setting its own record for executions with Governor DeSantis signing 19 death warrants last year. Let’s make sure Florida does not repeat this record in 2026.
While most states have moved away from the death penalty, Florida is accelerating executions at an alarming rate. Each warrant signed underscores the state’s embrace of a punishment that is arbitrary, racially biased, and out of step with evolving standards of decency.
Please sign the petition asking Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida State Board of Executive Clemency to do everything within their power to stop this execution, including issuing a stay, and seeking a path to clemency in the case.

Moral Mondays in Washington DC • June 8, 2026
2026-06-08 16:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Virtual
Moral Mondays in Washington DC • June 8, 2026
Watch live here on the RLC Livestream
