More than 4,000 people have gathered at Camp of the Sacred Stones, three separate prayer camps north of Cannon Ball, North Dakota, near the northern border of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe’s reservation.
At the direction of the 221st General Assembly (2014) the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Office of Public Witness created a discussion and study guide titled, We Shall Not Be Moved – Advocacy in the New Age of Voter Suppression. The document, released today, provides individuals, church groups or classes, and pastors a resource to explore the history and context of systemic patterns of voter suppression in the U.S.
Joining more than 100 faith-based communities and other national, state and local organizations, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) signed a letter urging President Obama to demonstrate global leadership by making bold new commitments to refugee protection, assistance and solutions. The letter was sent to the President on August 29 in advance of the Leaders Summit on Refugees, to be held September 20 in New York City.
For the past nine months the Rev. Jennifer Butler has chaired the President’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Butler, who served with the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations between 1998 and 2005, believes the time has been well spent.
For six years, the Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson was a strong voice in the ecumenical/interfaith community on Capitol Hill. He could often be seen participating in peaceful demonstrations, meeting with government leaders or praying with federal workers seeking better wages. Nelson recently reflected on his years in D.C. and looked ahead to what the Church’s role should be in years to come.
The recent shootings in Baton Rouge, Falcon Heights and Dallas have prompted the Interfaith Coalition to appeal to U.S. lawmakers to “mend divisions” between communities and law enforcement. In a letter to congressional leaders, the coalition, including the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), says the shootings are another reminder of the “great harm caused by unaddressed racial injustices and divisions in America.”
Global partners in South Sudan continue to ask for prayers, but also for advocacy. The fragile cease-fire in the country is holding for the moment. The Rt. Rev. Peter Gai, chair of the South Sudan Council Churches and Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan, said by phone Friday afternoon that for the moment, the city feels calm.
The first full day of Ecumenical Advocacy Days (EAD) kicked off Saturday morning with a plenary session titled “Racism, Class & Power.” The two-hour session outlined two key issues that advocates would go to Capitol Hill on Monday to discuss with their state representatives: voting rights, specifically the reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act and corporate domination, or opposition to the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement.
A record number of Presbyterians gathered at the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church last week to talk about some serious issues facing the U.S. and the church. But organizers behind Compassion, Peace and Justice Training Day say that’s what makes these annual gatherings so important to church members.
Panel discussion takes up racism, class and power by Rick Jones | Presbyterian News Service Compassion, Peace and Justice Training Day officially kicked off this morning in Washington, with its theme “Lift Every… Read more »
