FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 24, 2026

        
Richmond, Va. – The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy (VICPP) is taking its message on the road. Three VICPP staff members are partnering with leaders from the Virginia Poverty Law Center (VPLC), the NAACP Virginia State Conference (NAACPVA), and local religious and lay leaders, hoping to inspire attendees to advocate for a more just and equitable Virginia.

The team will travel to Christiansburg, Tazewell, and Abingdon for the second “Interfaith Justice Revival” tour from Tuesday, July 28, to Friday, July 31. The tour brings people together to build relationships, share resources, and engage in meaningful conversations centered on the voices and experiences of local residents.

Taking inspiration from traditional religious revivals, faith and community leaders will speak about the close connection between faith and justice and the importance of civic engagement ahead of the November election.

“Caring for our neighbors is an integral part of so many faith traditions, but it can be hard to see what that looks like on a larger scale,” said Sheila Herlihy Hennessee, VICPP’s director of faith organizing. “These events give people a chance to see faith in public life and understand how to make a difference.”

This leg of the tour is the first of the summer. Additional events are planned in more communities in the next few months, including Martinsville, Suffolk, and Farmville.

The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy is the largest statewide advocacy voice for the faith community, composed of more than 20,000 people, 950 houses of worship, 1,000 clergy representing all faiths, and people of goodwill from across the state. As a nonpartisan nonprofit, VICPP advocates before the General Assembly for economic, racial, and social justice legislation affecting under-resourced and marginalized communities throughout the commonwealth. This road trip is designed to connect with communities across southwestern Virginia and inspire action based on the shared values of faith and justice.
 
Some of the revival meetings will start with a shared meal and continue with music, prayer, calls to action, and opportunities to build relationships. The daytime gathering will offer coffee and snacks, a welcome from local clergy and presentations from organizational staff. Each event will provide opportunities to build relationships and empower local community members to make a difference. All are welcome!

CLICK LINK FOR DETAILS

SCHEDULE: Christiansburg, Asbury United Methodist Church
Tuesday, July 28, 5:30pm – 8:30pm

Tazewell, Main Street United Methodist Church
Wednesday, July 29, 5:30pm – 7:30pm

Abingdon, Unitarian Universalist Church of the Highlands
Friday, July 31, 10:00am – 12:00pm

EVENT CONTACTS: Sheila Herlihy Hennessee, director of faith organizing
sheila@virginiainterfaithcenter.org

Amanda Kline Roberson, southwest Virginia organizer and communications coordinator
amanda@virginiainterfaithcenter.org

MEDIA CONTACT: Roberta Oster, communications director roberta@virginiainterfaithcenter.org
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The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy (VICPP) advocates for economic, racial, and social justice in Virginia’s policies and practices through education, prayer, and action. VICPP is a nonpartisan, nonprofit coalition of more than 950 faith communities working toward a more just society.