The protests continued today. As the Interfaith Press Conference took place on the steps of Grace Church, correctional workers, members of the IBEW, and others marched into the capitol. After representatives from various faith groups spoke about the need for justice and for society to care for the neediest and most vulnerable, many of us walked across to the Capitol as well. Among the speakers were Bishop Miller of the Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee and Bishop Burnside of the ELCA Synod of Southern Wisconsin.

Here’s what it looked like when we entered the rotunda:

Thanks to Shannon Kelly for the video.

There does seem to be a much more visible and numerous police presence, many of them from out of town communities. That makes things seem a bit more tense on the square, but spirits still seemed high in the Capitol.

We need to continue to hold in our prayers all those involved–the politicians, the protesters, the public sector workers and all in Wisconsin who are concerned for the future of this state and the society that we are building.

Not as many people on the square today as there were last week, but the weather was awful. Didn’t catch sight of the Daily Show’s John Oliver, who was said to be interviewing people on the square around lunch time.

The response to us opening our doors has been overwhelming. As a gesture it seems to have struck a chord in the community, and to some degree, more widely. There are concerns about security but welcoming people in, giving them space to warm up, reflect, and pray, is being hospitable. There haven’t been all that many people who have taken advantage of our space. Yesterday, for example, when I walked through the sanctuary to check on things, there were three people sitting in pews. They all looked exhausted. Later, a cop used our restroom; when he didn’t come back upstairs after quite some time, we went looking for him. He was relaxing on a couch in the undercroft. He needed a break.

Some might say to open our doors in such a way is to take a political stand on one side or another. To me, it’s being church. Because of our location, anything we do or don’t do, could be interpreted as taking a stand. Keeping the place buttoned up while 30,000 people are protesting outside our doors, sends a powerful message about who and what Grace Church is, just as keeping our doors closed during the Dane County Farmer’s Market (when similar numbers inundate the square) sends an equally profound message.

We did Evening Prayer last night during a rally. Praying, reading scripture, psalms, and canticles while all that is going on is jarring, but a profound experience. I was deeply moved as we said the Magnificat:

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel,
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
The promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children for ever.

And as we prayed together:

Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ, give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous, and all for your love’s sake. Amen