Justice Advocacy Sunday is one of the most significant days in the life of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Not only are many Presbyterians unaware the day it falls upon, but also many don’t even know that it exists.
During a virtual discussion on helping white people talk about racism, a compelling question popped up in the chat box. The gist: How can a person bring up antiracism in a church where most members don’t want any more change and would prefer to go back to “better times”?
According to the U.S. Department of State, the Trump administration plans to set the fiscal year 2020 refugee admissions goal at 18,000, a record low that effectively dismantles the U.S. resettlement program established nearly 40 years ago. Today’s presidential executive order also permits state and local officials to block refugee resettlement in their communities.
Presbyterians are being asked to play an advocacy role to avert a second government shutdown — and at the same time protect immigrants and border communities.
Faith is not just personal; it’s political. Our leaders pass laws about how we treat one another, laws about money and finances, laws about how our resources are allocated and more. The Bible addresses these issues as well in Scriptures like the Ten Commandments, the parable of the sheep and the goats, Sabbath rules and Jesus’ advice to the rich young ruler to sell his possessions and give to the poor. To say the Bible and Jesus are not political is to deny their influence and relevance to our lives in the 21st century.
Police in Washington, D.C., took the Rev. Jimmie Hawkins and other faith leaders into custody on Monday afternoon during a demonstration outside the U.S. Supreme Court building. Hawkins, director of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s Office of Public Witness, was taking part in the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for a Moral Revival.
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s Office of Public Witness has been on the front lines of advocacy in Washington, D.C., since 1946. Since that time, the office and its partners have worked to ensure the church’s positions on important national and international issues are communicated to those who are elected to lead the nation.
Leaders of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) are remembering an anniversary this week, but not one they are happy with. On January 27, 2017, President Donald Trump signed an executive order halting all refugee admissions and temporarily barring people from seven countries that are predominantly Muslim.
Twelve months ago, the Rev. Jimmie Hawkins packed his bags, said goodbye to his North Carolina congregation at Covenant Presbyterian Church in New Hope Presbytery, and made his way to the nation’s capital as the new director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency’s Office of Public Witness.
