A broad range of Christian leaders gathered in Washington to discuss ways to encourage more civil dialogue. They said they were concerned by the excessive politicization of Washington and a climate some described as toxic. During the two-day summit, the leaders discussed ways to encourage lawmakers to come together for what they called “the common good.”

Rev. Peg Chemberlin (Minnesota Council of Churches and National Council of Churches): “We see an inability for Congress to find ways to find some commonality to work together. That’s happening in our churches. It’s happening in our local communities. This is an opportunity for some of the leaders to say we think God wants us to do better than this.”