A group of Johnson County faith leaders gathered in an independent town hall on Tuesday, May 27 to speak against harm caused by the Trump of administration.
Uniting under the name Voices of Faith, speakers in the group represented a variety of religious beliefs, primarily Christian denominations.
The Voices of Faith Town Hall gathered at The Purpose Place Church, which is housed in the nonprofit Dream City’s building. An estimated 150 attendees convened in the auditorium-style place of worship for a series of speeches that lasted two hours.
Eleven faith leaders prepared a speech for the town hall. Each focused on a topic that had become more concerning to the group as a result of decisions by the Trump administration.
“When we first met, it was to discuss how local clergy could speak to the morality or lack thereof of the ‘Big Beautiful Bill,’” Rev. Ryan Downing of Faith UCC, Iowa City said in an email. “However, as we talked it became obvious that had so much more that needed to be addressed.”
Three attendees were missing from the room. Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst as well as Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, who represents Iowa’s 1st congressional district, had all been invited to the town hall.
All three Congressmembers said via email that they would be unable to attend the town hall. Organizers of Voices of Faith stated that they had expected the representatives would not attend.
Three empty chairs sat in the center of The Purpose Place’s stage to represent the congress members’ absences. Names and office phone numbers written on printer paper were taped to each chair.
One theme seemed to emerge from the faith leaders’ speeches. They all expressed that their congressional representatives were out of touch with the needs and lives of their constituents.
Rev. Mike Andrew, Presbyterian Church USA currently works for University of Iowa Health Care, greeting visitors and patients at their Pomerantz Family entrance, which leads to the cancer center. Rev. Andrew expressed frustration that the GOP spending bill had passed the House of Representatives despite its negative impacts on Medicaid and the Iowans who rely on it.
Voices of Faith emcee Pastor Fred Newell of The Purpose Place introduces speakers. — Achilles Seastrom/Little Village 
Pastor Ryan Downing of Faith United Church of Christ discusses economic inequality. — Achilles Seastrom/Little Village 
Rev. Mike Andrew of Presbyterian Church USA talks on the subject of Medicaid and healthcare. — Achilles Seastrom/Little Village 
Unitarian Universalist Society of Iowa City’s Rev. Diana Smith spoke on the topic of “Racism.” — Achilles Seastrom/Little Village 
Rev. Marissa Kolander of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church talks on the topic “Education.” — Achilles Seastrom/Little Village 
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church’s Rev. Tim Smith delivers a speech on “Creation Care.” — Achilles Seastrom/Little Village 
Bridget Laflin of the Unitarian Universalist Association discussed Disability Rights. — Achilles Seastrom/Little Village 
Rev. Sean McRoberts of Iowa City’s Sacred Collective spoke on the subject of LGBTQ+ rights. — Achilles Seastrom/Little Village 
Rev. Mary Kay Kusner of the Full Circle Catholic Community discusses Christian nationalism. — Achilles Seastrom/Little Village 
Rev. Bronis Perteit of New Life Apostolic Ministries spoke on the subject “Call to Action.” — Achilles Seastrom/Little Village 
People gather for the Voices of Faith town hall. (Speakers not pictured: Rev. Peggy Garrigues of Solon United Methodist Church, discussing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; and Rabbi Esther Hugenholtz of the Agundas Achim Congregation, discussing immigration.) — Achilles Seastrom/Little Village
Addressing the empty chairs, Rev. Andrew said, “Basic life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness may seem like ideals to you, Senators and Representative. They are far from that, for not only the citizens here [in Iowa] but the citizens throughout our country.”
Rev. Bronis Perteit, New Apostolic Life Ministries, ended the speeches with a call to action. “Call them,” Rev. Perteit said, pointing to the chairs, “Worry them. We have a responsibility to cause some good trouble!”
As the event ended, attendees crowded the stage. They used their phones to snap photos of the phone numbers taped to the empty chairs.
At present, Voices of Faith is unsure in what form it may continue, but the May 27 town hall can be revisited online.
