Southeast Alliance for interfaith leadership
Faith-Based Organizing in Southeastern Connecticut
Why? Imagine what life in our region could be like if our religious institutions: our churches, synagogues and mosques, actually possessed the moral force to make our region a more just and equitable place? Together, through broad-based organizing we can have the power to change the way things are in Southeastern CT.
Who? In 2021, faith leaders joined together to explore forming a faith-based social change organization
What? Faith-based organizing accomplishes two related goals: it provides a vehicle for religious institutions to have power to make their common values more of a force in society, and its methods enliven and strengthen the congregations who engage in it.
Member Institutions
Park Congregational Church, Norwich
St. Luke Lutheran Church, Gales Ferry
First Congregational Church of Old Lyme
Walls Clark Temple AME Zion, New London
Bethel AME Church, New London
All Souls Unitarian Universalist, New London
St. Joseph Catholic Church, New London
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Mystic
Saint Ann’s Episcopal Parish (Old Lyme)
SAIL “Pirates”
St Mary Star of the Sea, New London
St Paul Catholic Church, Waterford
Rev. Erica Avena
Park Congregational Church
Rev. Tryphena Evans
United Methodist Church
Rev. Heidi Johnston
St. Luke Lutheran Church
Rev. Steve Jungkeit
First Congregational Church of Old Lyme
Mr. Zak Leavy
St. James Episcopal Church
Rev. Isiah McCorkle
Walls Clark Temple AME Zion
Rev. Gwen Montgomery
Bethel AME Church
Rev. Perry Montrose
All Souls Unitarian Univ.
Rev. Mark O’Donnell
St. Joseph Catholic Church
Rev. Verdis LeVar Robinson
All Souls Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Ms. Lori Sarkett
St. James Episcopal Church
Rev. Dr. Anita Louise Schell
St. Ann’s Episcopal Church
Deacon Chuck Sharp
Deacon Ron Steed
Rev. Susan Switzer
First Congregational Church of Old Lyme
Rev. Adam Thomas
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
Organizing Process
We follow the principles and practices of relational organizing, grounded in a firm commitment to antiracism. We believe that deep and authentic relationships are the foundation of all we do. Therefore, we begin by listening to people’s stories. From there, we identify shared themes in our struggles. We distill broad, nebulous problems into specific, concrete issues where we can use our collective power to create systemic change. We analyze power, identify root causes, act strategically, and evaluate our campaigns to learn from our successes and failures.
Individual Meetings: Individual meetings are the fundamental building blocks of organizing together. They are an opportunity for two souls to connect face-to-face.
House Meetings: House meetings are 60-90 minute conversations with 6-10 people facilitated by a leader. They are an opportunity for people to deepen relationships, engage one another, and imagine together how to improve our neighborhood and city. Effective house meetings are built around good storytelling: stories that illustrate people’s deepest concerns and stir us to action.
Research & Cutting Issues: Common issues that arise from the house meetings are then researched and cut into campaigns that are specific and resolvable.
Action & Evaluation: We hold structured public actions where leaders and organizers confront decision makers capable of effecting desired change. We evaluate our work every step of the way as we continue moving through the cycle.
Current Issues
In the Spring of 2026, SAIL leaders reviewed the themes raised in recent house meetings across the SAIL network. In considering our capacity, we narrowed those themes to the following, for which we have commissioned working groups:
Contacts
Trainings and Actions
SAIL Founding
Join leaders from across the region to celebrate the official founding of the Southeast Alliance for Interfaith Leadership. Wednesday, October 28, 6:30-8:30pm