Doug Luginbill participated in Mennonite Action’s All God’s Children March for a Ceasefire in July. He looks back on his journey.

Doug Luginbill is a member of First Mennonite Church in Bluffton, Ohio, and serves as conference minister of the Central District Conference. He has served the Mennonite Church in administrative and pastoral positions for 35 years.

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I thought I was going to Washington DC to attend a demonstration, but I found myself in church!

That’s the best way I can describe my experience with the Mennonite Action event, All God’s Children March for a Ceasefire.. From July 18 to July 28, at least 25 people — eventually 125 — participated in at least one day of the 135-mile march from Harrisonburg, Virginia, to Washington, DC. I joined the group on Friday evening, July 26, for the final 22 miles, which ended with a memorial service with the White House in the foreground. I stayed in DC through July 30, participating in various actions coordinated by Mennonite Action and various interfaith organizations.

I had two main reasons for participating in the march and activities. First, I remain overwhelmed by the tremendous loss of life, property, and humanity suffered by Israeli and Palestinian families since October 7, 2023, and in the decades leading up to it. As I heard the personal stories of loss and death from both Jewish and Palestinian voices, I wanted to do something to lend my voice to the many calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. The third verse of John L. Bell’s prophetic song, “If the war goes on,” rang in my ears. “If the war goes on and terror is the daily bread and the voiceless poor take to the streets as refugees; if the pride of a nation destinies millions to be homeless, who will hear their pleas?” (Sing the Journey 66).

My second reason was to observe, listen to and pay attention to the motivations, coordination and spirit of this new grassroots Mennonite movement. How did it come about so quickly and why are so many Mennonites choosing to participate? What is “Mennonite” about this action?

So I took a few days off and set off into a time full of chaotic rustling of pens, prophetic proclamations and Mennonite border crossing at the boundaries of our theology of the separation of church and state.

What I experienced was church, a gathered community with a common mission rooted in the love of God.

My working definition of the purpose of the church is: to celebrate and witness the creative and transformative wisdom of God’s love. During my four days there, I experienced repeated celebration and testimony in this ever-changing and diverse gathering of God’s people.

For my first two nights there, we were hosted by two non-Mennonite churches just outside of DC. There was something comforting and grounding about being sheltered and sanctuary by strangers. With about 30 souls spread out across the fellowship hall, the occasional snort or air mattress adjustment provided a chorus of disturbance and comfort. I knew very few of these sleeping friends, but I felt at home. It was a bit like church camp.

After a hearty breakfast, the morning routine began with the sitting circle. Introductions, prayers, poems, reflections, songs and silence gave us stability and grounding for the day. Announcements and instructions prepared us spiritually and emotionally for what was to come. The collaboration between leaders, volunteer coordinators and participants went smoothly. Questions were answered respectfully and reassuringly. The “worship planners” had thought through both the message and the logistics, resulting in a welcoming and participatory experience for all. The chaos I had expected did not materialize.

The hours-long walks along the sidewalks of Fairfax and Falls Church, Virginia, provided opportunities for conversation, fellowship, more singing, and quiet reflection. Our banners proclaimed the sermon: “Mennonites for a Ceasefire,” “God Loves Every Child—Without Exceptions,” “Send Food, Not Bombs,” “Let Gaza Live,” and “Biden—Open Your Eyes.” Peace doves, emblazoned on numerous flags, fluttered in the wind. The response to the sermon was, as usual, one of supportive and appreciative honking, but also the occasional gesture of disapproval.

Yet preachers preach to the end, keeping in mind the vision of the beloved community, the shalom of God’s love.

On the last day of the march, more participants arrived, some of whom had marched before, others who joined us for the final journey to the seats of national power. In a park, across the lawn from the White House, others met us and attended a memorial service.

We heard testimonies from people who knew the personal stories of death and destruction in Gaza. We heard Palestinian poetry of despair and hope. We sang hymns. We lit candles in prayers for peace. We anointed one another with the oil of mourning and courage.

I was asked to offer a closing prayer. “What is this place?” I asked the assembled congregation. “We are here for a common purpose and mission. We are here to pray and sing. We are here to lament and demand an end to war. Some might call this place ‘church.’ There is a verse, Ephesians 3:10, that proclaims, ‘By the church now to the rulers and authorities in high places the wisdom of God in all its diversity should be made known.’ May our prayers, songs and actions be heard and heeded by those in high places.”

As I left, the song “There is More Love Somewhere” still ringing in my ears, I felt at home among these mostly strangers, even in the shadow of the rulers and authorities.

Did our eleven-day march, our prayers and petitions, our provocations and our prophetic witness make a difference? We who are pastors and leaders of the church often ask this question, at least in our thoughts, if not out loud. Is worship important? Does preaching change hearts and minds? Do songs and prayers just fly by without effect? ​​Are these blankets enough?

God’s Holy Spirit brought the church into being, a community of wisdom called to celebrate and witness to God’s creative and transforming love! I am learning that the church has many manifestations, a rich diversity of gathered communities. The Holy Spirit cannot be contained in a building, a community, or a people. This wisdom of God is not always comprehensible to rulers and authorities in high places. Yet I believe that the church, in all its beauty and brokenness, remains a place of celebration and witness. As Mennonites, this witness is nonviolent and ever richer in its variety and diversity. Just as the farmer in Jesus’ parable scatters seeds generously and widely, the church is called to scatter seeds of God’s love (see Matthew 13:1-23; Luke 8:4-15; Mark 4:1-20).

The lyrics of a song by the Walking Roots Band also ring in my ears (Voices Together 777):

“These seeds you have sown
In our hearts and in our bones,
Cover them with your love.
Use our hands, use our feet,
To show your love and peace.
And cover us, cover us, cover us with love.”

The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not represent the views of the board of directors or employees of MC USA.

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