Mourning
The Freedom Church of the Poor tradition teaches that collective mourning is not merely an expression of grief but a prophetic act of resistance in a society that normalizes the death and suffering of the poor.
Rooted in biblical lament and the lived experiences of poor and dispossessed communities, this tradition calls us to wail, weep, and remember those lost to poverty, violence, and systemic neglect. In a nation that criminalizes the unhoused, underpays essential workers, and denies basic human rights, public mourning becomes a moral outcry and a demand for justice.
Rituals such as the Potter’s Field liturgy, Black Lives Matter protests, the memorialization of fallen leaders, and prayers like the Mourner’s Kaddish reclaim dignity for the dead and strengthen the living in the struggle for universal healthcare, housing, and human rights. These rituals lift up the leadership of those most impacted and remind us that our tears are sacred, our grief is righteous, and our mourning can ignite hope and action.
Through lament, we disrupt the silence of injustice and embody an audacious faith in a world where all people have the right to live and thrive.
The Potter's Field Liturgy: The Story
Were You There
This song is traditionally sung during Lent in Christian communities and has been reclaimed by the Freedom Church of the Poor for the Season of Struggle and Lament. The lyrics were first rewritten by Rogers of Picture the Homeless during the Potter’s Field Campaign—an effort to expose how unhoused people are denied dignity not only in life but also in death, buried in mass, unmarked graves with no place for loved ones to mourn. Rogers sang, “Were you there when they buried all the poor?” as a prophetic reminder that God is present with and among the poor.
As we reflect on the life and crucifixion of Jesus—and the violent systems of empire that led to his death—we return to the haunting question of "Were You There?" to ask: What are the crosses our people are forced to bear today? What death-dealing realities does empire still impose on our communities? This song calls us to remember that God stands with the poor and oppressed and walks with us in our struggle. Lent is a season of reflection and repentance—an invitation to confront the suffering in the world, reject the systems that cause it, and commit ourselves to building a movement for justice, dignity, and liberation.
these times are calling us to rise up
Black Lives Matter Protest: The Song
we remember you
Mourner's Kaddish and Prayer: The Story
We Are Soldiers in the Army
“We Are Soldiers in the Army” is a spiritual rooted in the African-American freedom tradition that became a powerful anthem of the Civil Rights and Welfare Rights Movements. With its call-and-response structure and driving rhythm, the song affirms a collective commitment to struggle—no matter the cost—for justice, dignity, and liberation. It continues to inspire generations to march forward, undeterred, as part of a larger movement for freedom.
Read More"May their memory be a revolution"
Mourner’s Kaddish
The Mourner’s Kaddish is a sacred Jewish prayer traditionally recited by those grieving the loss of a close relative or marking the anniversary of a loved one’s death. It affirms life even in the midst of sorrow, honoring the memory of the departed through praise and devotion.
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