SOUTHAMPTON — This weekend, the First Congregational Church of Southampton will celebrate Easter in a non-traditional way — by holding a standout for democracy.

On Sunday, Southampton’s congregation will be “rising up against travesties of justice on the day that Jesus rose up,” said Rosemary Dawson, the church’s pastor.

The church will join a nationwide coalition of congregations, called Christians for Democracy, in hosting a “Rise Up! Easter Action” rally from 11 a.m. to noon outside of the church located at 212 College Highway. The purpose of these rallies is to speak out against current political developments and build an alliance of support for all.

To Dawson, this event is significant because it’s a chance to emphasize the value of every human life, regardless of backgrounds or beliefs.

“Everyone is equal in the eyes of the law because everyone is equal in the eyes of the lord,” Dawson said. “That’s the most important part.”

Church member Susan Teece echoed this sentiment, saying that this rally is about “standing up for people who do not have the same rights that we do, people who aren’t treated right.”

“We want to let people know that that’s what we’re all about,” Teece said.

Teece noted that alongside the constitutional right to worship is a right to free speech. This is a right she hopes to exercise and defend this Sunday.

Christians for Democracy declares on its website that it is a broad coalition of Christians who are against Christian nationalism, and see democracy as foundational to religious freedom.

“We have a Lord, and it is not Trump, nor Musk,” the website states.

All are welcome to participate in the event, which seeks to emphasize the message that all are welcome in the church, and the country more broadly. According to Teece, a large motivation for this event has been the desire to keep the “all are welcome” message alive.

Dawson hopes to spread the message that love and acceptance are powerful. She plans to hold a sign to that effect, reading “Love one another — Jesus.”

Alexa Lewis can be reached at alewis@gazettenet.com.