At St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on June 9, Bishop William Barber II, co-chair of The Poor People’s Campaign, rallied the congregation during a sermon as part of his national preaching tour.

True worship is not what we do on Sunday or Sabbath,” Barber said. “True worship is understood by what we do on Monday, after worship.”

The Poor People’s Campaign is mobilizing supporters for a major demonstration in the nation’s capital later this month aimed at demanding action on poverty, living wages and other policies. The Mass Poor People’s and Low-Wage Workers’ Assembly and Moral March is set for 10 a.m. June 29, Saturday, in Washington.

The march has over two dozen national partners, including the Congressional Progressive Caucus Center and National Council of Churches representing over 60 million people. Its focus is millions living in poverty or low wages and a 17-point agenda seeking living wages, voting rights and other policy goals. Organizers intend to continue the campaign through the 2024 general election.

Barber underscored the high stakes — re-shaping political priorities for a more equitable future, during his sermon.

“These are times when we need a fundamental shifting of the heart,” Barber said. “We need to take out a broken heart and replace it with one that can make our democracy live.”