Presbyterian event, Ecumenical Advocacy Days latest COVID-19 cancellations; both exploring online options
by Rich Copley | Presbyterian News Service
Office of Public Witness interns checked in participants at Compassion, Peace & Justice Training Day 2019 at New York Avenue Presbyterian Church. (Photo by Rich Copley)
LOUISVILLE – Compassion, Peace & Justice Training Day, set for April 24 in Washington D.C., has been canceled due to the coronavirus outbreak.
“We regret that due to the COVID-19 pandemic we are cancelling Compassion, Peace & Justice Training Day,” said Catherine Gordon, Associate for International Issues in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Office of Public Witness on Capitol Hill. “Everyone who has already paid will receive a full refund.
“We are working on putting something together for folks online. Please stay tuned for more information and updates! Sending our prayers for your health and safety.”
Also canceled is the companion Ecumenical Advocacy Days (EAD), which was set for April 24 to 27, culminating in a day of lobbying on Capitol Hill.
During last year’s Compassion, Peace & Justice Training day, musician, speaker and activist David LaMotte provided the keynote address. The training took place April 5, 2019 at New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Rich Copley)
The annual events are a time for Presbyterians to gather on CPJ Day and join with people of other Christian faiths on EAD Days to sharpen their skills for advocacy and social justice through seminars, workshops, and ultimately one-on-one advocacy. This year’s focus was set to be environmental justice.
“Please keep in mind that cancelling the in-person event does not mean that our hearts and minds will not gather together in an ongoing ecumenical movement for global peace with justice,” EAD director Leslie Woods wrote in a message to people who had registered for the event. “A team of #EAD2020 planners is currently exploring some ideas for our continued collaboration and advocacy, so please stay tuned.”
Similarly, Compassion, Peace & Justice Training Day (CPJ Day) organizers are exploring the idea of an online experience on or around the original April 24 event date.
Like CPJ Day, registration refunds for EAD should be processed soon, organizers say. Meanwhile organizers of both events emphasize to registered participants that you do need to cancel your hotel and flight reservations.
The Office of Public Witness is one of the Compassion, Peace & Justice ministries of the Presbyterian Mission Agency.
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