Churches Reach Out To Mayoral Candidates

In an interview, Young said he thought that certain clergy members -- including himself -- could still deliver their congregation's votes. But generally, he said, clergy have removed themselves from politics because they weren't getting what had been promised in return.

In the church parking lot after the Sunday service, another reason was evident: Almost every car had a Maryland license plate.

Candidates say they consider the faith community indispensable. "They are the opinion-shapers. They are the leaders. They are an integral part of the community," mayoral candidate Marie C. Johns said.

But no one denies that the relationship between religion and politics in the city has changed dramatically in the past few decades. Many religious leaders note that only two of the five mayoral candidates appeared at a rally in April to support churches whose members -- now mostly Maryland residents who attend church in Washington -- park illegally on Sundays. The rally was called by faith leaders who were angry at Williams's plan to crack down without consulting more with them.

Many clergy say Williams has delegated his relations with much of the faith community to his staff and isn't comfortable socializing in the pews.

"One thing Marion Barry was able to do was connect with people in churches and ministers on a whole different level," said the Rev. Cheryl Sanders of Third Street of Church of God, a former member of Williams's Interfaith Council. "Williams just didn't seem to be at ease in the way that Barry was."

On a recent Thursday night, Amin Muslim went to hear mayoral candidate Michael Brown speak at the United House of Prayer. Muslim said he longs for a return to the day when religious leaders openly endorsed candidates.

"The faith community today is afraid to buck the political system," said Muslim, 50, who volunteers for Brown. "Religious institutions should be a hub for social change. Today in Washington, you can't even point to a single real activist out of the faith community."

The view looked different from across the room, where retired D.C. principal and church activist Princess Whitfield said that the absence of endorsements from faith leaders has created a healthier climate.

"It's not so much 'You scratch me, I'll scratch you,' " she said. "Nowadays, people are more independent."