Sally Vonner Faith Witness
April 16, 2025
Buffeted by 15-to-20-mile-per-hour winds that sometimes drowned out her words, United Women in Faith's top executive Sally Vonner castigated the Trump Administration's policies harming women, children and youth, and called on the 119th Congress to show “moral courage” in resisting executive overreach.
Ms. Vonner was part of a “Faithful Witness Wednesdays” demonstration organized by Sojourners and the Washington Interfaith Staff Community. The vigils, held at noon on Wednesdays since March 5, call on Congress to fulfill its constitutional responsibility to legislate and to rein in executive overreach. The vigils will continue through April 30.
Ms. Vonner began her talk describing UWFaith (formerly United Methodist Women) as a religious organization whose members "are found in every state, span the political spectrum, and are united in mission for women, children and youth.”
“We are witnessing grave executive overreach and a Congress that has abdicated its duty to legislate,” Ms. Vonner said. “This the moment for the 119th Congress to consider your own legacy. We urge you, members of Congress, to act with moral courage. Protect the lives of women, children and youth.”
Echoing UWFaith’s Micah 6:8 pledge campaign, which has more than 2,600 signers, Ms. Vonner said, “now is the time to live that out.”
“It’s been five years since George Floyd was murdered,” Ms. Vonner recalled. “Then we said Black lives matter, and we mobilized for change. Now there’s an appalling silence. Racial justice, we’re told, has gone out of fashion. Diversity is a bad word now. Equity, inclusion … don’t get me started on intersectionality.”
Ms. Vonner then challenged the Trump Administration’s attack on diversity, equity and inclusion.
“Let me be clear: United Women in Faith has been in this work for over 150 years,” the executive said. “We were here long before hashtags and we will be here still when the cameras are gone."
“Racial justice is not a trend,” she continued. “It is part of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the call of our United Methodist Church’s baptismal vows and Social Principles. We do this work not because it’s easy, or trendy, but because it is right!”
Over the rushing wind, the crowd erupted with applause and approving shouts.
Ms. Vonner then touched on the federal administration’s assault on environmental justice issues, noting that it had increased permits for gas and oil extraction and gutting the Environmental Protection Agency, “all the while blaming and targeting migrants.” UWFaith recently announced the relaunch of its Just Energy 4 All campaign, which seeks to educate women about the climate crisis and equip them to lead environmental programs in their communities and advocate at municipal, state and federal levels for climate justice.
“Although Congress enacted the Inflation Reduction Act, the current administration defies multiple court orders and refuses to release federal funds (for climate change projects),” she said.
Ms. Vonner then moved on to address funding cuts that supposedly are intended to root out “fraud and waste” from federal social programs.
“Radical cuts have created a climate of fear in local communities and put essential services for families at risk,” Ms. Vonner said. “The $1 billion USDA cuts for food subsidies impacts food pantries, hot meal programs, senior citizens’ nutrition. Changes in eligibility and procedures for Head Start put childcare at risk. Congress must maintain funding to support these and related programs including Medicaid, SNAP, Social Security, FEMA and USDA.”
Noting the vigil happening during Christians’ Holy Week and Jews’ Passover, Ms. Vonner couched the need for congressional resistance in faith terms.
“As Christians we believe that Good Friday (the commemoration of Jesus’ Crucifixion) is not the end,” she said. “Resurrection is coming, and it offers a new beginning for the followers of Jesus Christ.”
Turning toward the U.S. Capitol, Ms. Vonner then challenged federal legislators directly, although some of her words were drowned out by the wind.
“To the 119th Congress … put people’s well-being over politics,” she urged. “We, the faith community, call on you to have moral courage – honor your oaths! Be courageous! Legislate with eye and heart toward the pressing concerns of women, children and youth.”
The April 16 vigil’s speakers also included the Rev. Moya Harris, Sojourners’ director of racial justice who liked the rough winds to the Holy Spirit; Joyce Ajlouny, general secretary of the American Friends Service Committee, the Quakers’ relief and development arm; and Brother Sam Nasada, councilor of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe of the Franciscan Friars.
Another prominent United Methodist, Bishop Julius C. Trimble, top executive of the Washington-based General Board of Church and Society, was visible among the vigil’s supporters, holding a sign that read “United Methodists Stand for Justice.”
The YouTube introduction to the “Faithful Witness Wednesdays” channel described the demonstrations:
“Our nation faces an escalating threat of a constitutional crisis fueled by the Trump administration’s overreach and unconstitutional actions. A lack of leadership in Congress has allowed this crisis to grow, as it cedes its role as a co-equal branch of government. The faith community will be raising a prophetic and pastoral call to Congressional leaders to serve as a check and balance to advance the common good. These nonpartisan vigils will speak truth to power, highlighting what’s at stake and the communities already harmed.”
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Cynthia B. Astle
Photo by Taylor Walters Denyer
Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, an online journal she founded in 2011 as a media channel to amplify news and views for and about marginalized and underserved United Methodists.