During my two days of free time, I had the opportunity to see most of the Smithsonian (at least the parts that I have never been to), Ford's Theatre, (where as luck would have it we witnessed a lively discussion between three authors who were each experts on the assassination of Abraham Lincoln) and the UCC's Justice Witness Ministries offices which are located just across the street from the Capitol and next to the Supreme Court.
On Monday, I attended a prayer vigil in front of the capitol organized by a number of ecumenical partners. They are praying each day at 12:30 for a just budget which recognizes the least among us. The above photo is from the National Council of Churches website.
Jim Wallis summarized the movement like this;
"In the face of historic deficits, the nation faces unavoidable choices about how to balance needs and resources and allocate burdens and sacrifices. These choices are economic, political—and moral.
As Christians, we believe the moral measure of the debate is how the most poor and vulnerable people fare. We look at every budget proposal from the bottom up—how it treats those Jesus called “the least of these” (Matthew 25:45). They do not have powerful lobbies, but they have the most compelling claim on our consciences and common resources. The Christian community has an obligation to help them be heard, to join with others to insist that programs that serve the most vulnerable in our nation and around the world are protected. God is calling us to pray, fast, give alms and to speak out for justice.
Our goal is simply this: Whenever a new budget or deficit reduction proposal is put forth, somebody should ask how it will impact the poorest and most vulnerable. This is a biblical question, a fair question, and a question of justice."
Also, attending the prayer vigil was Paul Sherry, who I have known for 25 years. He is from Illinois and became General Minister of the UCC in the late 1980's and served for about ten years. Paul is now working with Kim Bobo and the Interfaith Workers Justice organization on the issue of unemployment. Paul is a good leader and worked for many years in Chicago for Community renewal.
Here is a link to his work;
IWJ - Public Policy - Employment
Future Blogs include; Widening our Welcome, Catholic in the UCC, and Center for Progressive renewal.
I leave Friday for the CPR training. The paragraph below summarizes their mission;
"In the face of historic deficits, the nation faces unavoidable choices about how to balance needs and resources and allocate burdens and sacrifices. These choices are economic, political—and moral.
As Christians, we believe the moral measure of the debate is how the most poor and vulnerable people fare. We look at every budget proposal from the bottom up—how it treats those Jesus called “the least of these” (Matthew 25:45). They do not have powerful lobbies, but they have the most compelling claim on our consciences and common resources. The Christian community has an obligation to help them be heard, to join with others to insist that programs that serve the most vulnerable in our nation and around the world are protected. God is calling us to pray, fast, give alms and to speak out for justice.
Our goal is simply this: Whenever a new budget or deficit reduction proposal is put forth, somebody should ask how it will impact the poorest and most vulnerable. This is a biblical question, a fair question, and a question of justice."
Also, attending the prayer vigil was Paul Sherry, who I have known for 25 years. He is from Illinois and became General Minister of the UCC in the late 1980's and served for about ten years. Paul is now working with Kim Bobo and the Interfaith Workers Justice organization on the issue of unemployment. Paul is a good leader and worked for many years in Chicago for Community renewal.
Here is a link to his work;
IWJ - Public Policy - Employment
Future Blogs include; Widening our Welcome, Catholic in the UCC, and Center for Progressive renewal.
I leave Friday for the CPR training. The paragraph below summarizes their mission;
Today, many of our mainline churches are declining and in need of intentional revitalization. These churches were built in and for an age that has now passed away. They are good, strong churches who have served their communities faithfully. But they were designed to serve a world that no longer exists. We believe that many churches can make the transition into this new age. CPR Congregational Consultants are passionate about coaching your church towards new life in an age of social networking, shifting demographics and declining attendance.
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