Is democracy an enduring ideal or a fragile promise? In this service, we’ll examine the state of democracy in our time, drawing from historical and contemporary struggles for justice and equity. Inspired by Langston Hughes’ poignant question, “What happens to a dream deferred?” we will reflect on the challenges and hopes of building a truly inclusive democracy. Together, we will envision how we might embody the values of fairness, freedom, and equality in our own lives and communities.