Thank You for Building With Us
Dear Friend,
Whether you’ve been with us since our founding in 2022, or have recently joined the community, we are so thankful you are here. Thank you for the ways you have embraced our mission, engaged our work, and contributed in your own ways to our American civic life. We are grateful for your partnership.
For many of us, this is a political moment that feels uncertain, and perhaps tumultuous. But as our President and CEO wrote following the recent presidential election: “This is – it must be – a time to build.” More than ever, it is crucial that Christians tell our own story of public contribution, instead of letting today's divisive political landscape tell our story for us. We have a powerful opportunity to counter the cynicism of the moment with a vision for a healthier politics that benefits from positive Christian contributions in our time, for the good of our neighbors. (For more on this, I wrote about some of the resources Christianity offers in a recent article for our friends at Conversatio.)
If we are to build a better politics, we need people who will serve with their eyes toward the public good. We are committed to the work of shaping and partnering with current and future civic leaders. In 2024, we completed our second cohort of Public Life Fellows, remarkable leaders who exemplify the potential of public service. Our young professionals' network gathers over 60 Christians under 35 regularly online and in person to wrestle with how to live lives of integrity and steadfastness in politics. And our recent summit in Washington D.C. provided two days of provocative, hopeful ideas that are shaping the decisions and lives of civic leaders across the country.
This year we launched a new high school program, investing in the civic leaders of tomorrow! The Public Good Generation is a one-of-a-kind program that equips Christian high school students for a lifetime of faithful contribution to their communities and our politics. Dates for the 2025 Public Good Generation program will be announced soon.
CCPL also took to the road this year! Michael Wear, our president and CEO, spoke at churches, leadership conferences, and community gatherings across the country (and across the Atlantic) about his timely book The Spirit of Our Politics: Spiritual Formation and the Renovation of Our Public Life. This year, the book was praised by critics, used by churches and organizations, and discussed by academics and journalists. The book will continue to be a central resource for us in the coming months and years, as we deepen our confidence that spiritual formation is central to civic renewal.
Through all of these programs and in-person activations this year,we directly engaged over 22,000 people in more than 100 cities in 28 states.
As Giving Tuesday approaches next week, would you consider CCPL in your end-of-year financial giving? Giving Tuesday is an intentional way to pause and contribute to organizations that are meeting the needs that you care most about. If you share our commitment to faithful contribution for the good of the public, we hope you'll consider partnering with us this Giving Tuesday. You can give a gift online or by mail. Find out more here.
As you prepare to gather with family and friends for Thanksgiving, we encourage you to consider how you can bless those you will spend time with this holiday season. This is why we partnered with our friends at Arrabon to share some practices and ideas for being a peacemaker this Thanksgiving. We hope these are some helpful, practical ways to think about connecting with those you love – even across significant differences.
May peace be with you as you gather with friends and family this week.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Phebe Meyer is the Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor at the Center for Christianity and Public Life.