Swords into Plowshares

Support the Jubilee Act

Ask Your Representative to Co-Sponsor the Jubilee Act Today
 
The Jubilee Act for Responsible Lending and Expanded Debt Cancellation (HR 4405) cancels impoverished country debt, prohibits harmful economic and policy conditions on debt cancellation, mandates transparency and responsibility in lending from governments and international financial institutions, and calls for a U.S. audit of debts resulting from odious and illegitimate lending.
 
The bill was introduced on December 17, 2009 with strong bi-partisan support. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA), the bill's lead sponsor, was joined by original co-sponsors Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA), Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, and Rep. Spencer Bachus (R-AL), the committee's Ranking member. Other original co-sponsors include Rep. Judy Biggert (R-IL), Rep. Emmanuel Cleaver (D-MO), Rep. Luis V. Gutiérrez (D-IL), Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Rep. Donald Payne (D-NJ), and Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR).
 
Send a message to your Member of Congress today to urge him/her to be an early co-sponsor!
 
The passage of the Jubilee Act in Congress will urge the Obama Administration to make a new beginning on debt in which poor countries have a chance to fight poverty instead of paying off huge debts. 
 
To help ensure passage of the Act, join Jubilee USA's Change Not Chains Campaign.
 
General Assembly Guidance:
 
The 211th General Assembly (1999) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) voted to:
 
2. Endorse and support the Jubilee 2000 campaign, which calls for the definitive cancellation of international debt in situations where countries with high levels of human need and environmental distress are unable to meet the needs of their people in a way that benefits ordinary people and facilitates their participation in the processes of debt relief and setting priorities in ways that do not perpetuate or deepen poverty, which acknowledges the responsibility of all parties, and which is transparent and participatory in order to prevent recurring cycles of indebtedness.
 
3. Call upon presbyteries and congregations of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to support the goals of the Jubilee 2000 efforts by sending statements of support to key policy makers in the U.S. government and multilateral lending agencies.
 
4. Direct appropriate program areas (Hunger Program, Peace Program, Women's and Men's ministries, Worldwide Ministries Division, etc.) to give leadership for education and mobilization to promote awareness and action concerning the need for debt relief for impoverished countries, including the preparation of a study guide for congregational use by the 211th General Assembly (1999).

Help take on conflict minerals

Urge Your Representative to Cosponsor the Conflict Minerals Trade Act

The Conflict Minerals Trade Act of 2009, H.R. 4128, introduced in the United States House of Representatives by Congressman Jim McDermott (D-Washington), would help develop the means to ensure that the multimillion dollar trade in minerals from eastern Congo stops financing deadly conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo and surrounding countries.

Raise Hope for Congo reports that: "The trade in Congo’s conflict minerals, namely tin, tantalite, tungsten and gold, which are used in electronic devices such as cell phones and laptops, is a major source of funding for armed groups in eastern Congo who commit atrocities against civilians. If passed, this bill would create a system of audits and import declarations that would distinguish those goods imported into the United States that contain conflict minerals. The resulting transparency would be an important step forward in helping break the links between the mineral trade and human rights violations in Congo."

Call or write your Representative and urge him/her to cosponsor the Conflict Minerals Trade Act HR 4128. Email your Representative. Call U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask for your Representative’s office.

Of course this legislation (and other legislation in the United States) alone will not end the conflict in eastern Congo. But, if enacted, this bill would be a crucial step toward creating an enforceable means to ensure that the trade in Congolese minerals contributes not to war, but to peace. U.S. legislation could also serve as a model for legislation in other countries.

Presbyterian leaders oppose Ugandan anti-gay act

From the Presbyterian News Service:

Two leaders in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) recently signed a Christian statement denouncing the Ugandan “Anti-Homosexuality Act of 2009.”

The Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow, moderator of the 218th General Assembly (2008) and the Rev. Gradye Parsons, GA stated clerk, added their names along with leaders from Catholic, mainline and evangelical churches who also signed the statement [PDF].

The News Service notes that "the 'Anti-Homosexuality Act of 2009' is under consideration by the Parliament of Uganda. If passed, the act would make homosexual behavior punishable by life imprisonment or death. It would also punish citizens for not reporting their gay or lesbian neighbors to the authorities."

The Presbyterian News Service goes on to say:

“Regardless of the diverse theological views of our religious traditions regarding the morality of homosexuality, in our churches, communities and families, we seek to embrace our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters as God’s children worthy of respect and love,” the statement reads. “Yet we are painfully aware that in our country gays and lesbians still face hostility and violence. We recognize that such treatment degrades the human family, threatens the common good and defies the teachings of our Lord — wherever it occurs.”

Others groups represented by signatures on the statement are Evangelicals for Social Action, Africa Faith and Justice Network, Catholic Theological Society of America, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada, Pax Christi International, United Church of Christ and several theology professors and writers.

We seek peace by working for human rights for all people - all God's children.

Advent devotion - December 13, 2009

Scripture: Zephaniah 3:14–20

“On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands grow weak. The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing as on a day of festival.” (Zeph. 3:16–18)

I have signed petitions, called public officials, sent money, and prayed for justice and peace. I have contributed to causes to end the violence in Sudan, rapes in the Congo, and war in many places.

But genocide continues, little girls are unprotected, and soldiers remain abroad. For peacemakers, the road is hard, we get weary, and our efforts seem to be in vain as we try to work with our churches, communities, and government to bring forth change.

The prophet Zephaniah reminds us that we should not fear and we should not grow weary. We are called to remain steadfast in our faith, to not let our hands grow weak, to stay strong and to persevere.

We can rejoice that God is with us, renewing us in God’s love. We can rejoice in knowing that as we toil in war-torn fields of hate, injustice, violence, and abuse, God strengthens us daily to sow seeds of peace, aid, and love. We can make the calls, sign the petitions, and advocate for justice, knowing that we are not alone.

Prayer
Loving God, who gives the victory for justice and peace, strengthen and renew us daily so that we may continue in the struggle for wholeness and well-being, security and sustenance for all your children. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Rev. Bridgett A. Green
doctoral candidate in New Testament and early Christianity at Vanderbilt University
member, Presbytery of Charlotte

Order Proclaiming the Good News of God's Peace.

Report 1 from our folk in Copenhagen

Check out the first report on the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen written by Bill and Carol Somplatsky-Jarman, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) staff members who are attending the event. Thanks to the Environmental Ministries Office for posting their reports.

They reflect on the role of youth at the conference and offer a number of web pages

And remember the invitation to sound bells, drums, gongs, conch shells (and other instruments that call people to worship) for climate justice on December 13 for

Register now for Ecumenical Advocacy Days

2010 Ecumenical Advocacy Days

March 19-22, 2010 - Washington DC

A Place to Call Home: Immigrants, Refugees, and Displaced Peoples

Register Now

March 19 - 22, 2010  in Washington D.C.

"and Jesus said to him, 'Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.'"   -Luke 9:58

Jesus had no place to lay his head. Neither do tens of millions of migrants, refugees and displaced persons. Be a part of an action weekend addressing this global injustice. Join hundreds of faith-based advocates in taking action on U.S. legislation that will welcome immigrants, protect refugees, and prevent displacement of millions.

Participants will worship, study and dialog together. There will be special events for Presbyterians and other denominations as well as times for people to meet and plan in state groups.

On Monday, participants will visit Capitol Hill to advocate for our members of Congress to remedy these global injustices. 

The conference will be held at the DoubleTree Hotel in Crystal City, VA just outside Washington, DC.

Learn more and register now for this important faith-in-action event.

Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.  -Hebrews 13:1-2

Sound the bell, drums, gongs or conch shells

International leaders will meet in Copenhagen from December 7-18 to create a new international agreement to lower greenhouse gas emissions that will replace the Kyoto Protocol when it expires in 2012. To show your support for climate justice, ring your church bells (or hand-bells or drums or gongs or conch shells) 350 times at 3pm on December 13, which will be at the height of the climate legislation in Copenhagen. The World Council of Churches is sponsoring this activity to create a chain of prayer and music around the globe to support climate legislation. Register your event. The National Council of Churches in Denmark has produced a liturgy [pdf] to accompany the bell-ringing.

Why 350 times?

350 refers to 350 parts per million: This is the safe upper limit for CO2 in our atmosphere according to many scientists and climate experts. For all of human history until about 200 years ago, our atmosphere contained 275 ppm of CO2, but now the concentration stands at 390 ppm.  Unless we are able to rapidly reduce CO2 levels again, we risk reaching tipping points and irreversible impacts such as the melting of the Greenland ice sheet and major methane releases from increased permafrost melt.

Congo conflict minerals on 60 Minutes - November 29

This coming Sunday, November 29, CBS’ 60 Minutes will turn its attention to the scourge of conflict minerals in Congo.  Earlier this year, Enough’s co-founder, John Prendergast, accompanied the 60 Minutes team to eastern Congo to investigate the impact that the minerals trade, and particularly gold, has on the conflict. Check your local listings for the proper channel and time.

Host a house party screening of the episode. Invite your friends over for a house screening of the episode and start a discussion.  We’ve created a House Screening Toolkit to help get you started.

Check out the Conflict Minerals web portal to learn more about the issue, view our newest videos and slideshows, download resources, and learn how you can take action.

Find a curriculum for high school students and a Teach-In for college students, called “Congo on Campus.”

Presbyterians have a long history of ministry in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Among those engaged in this ministry were William Sheppard, Lucy Gantt Sheppard, and Samuel Lapsley. William Sheppard played a significant role in documenting atrocities that took place in the Congo Free State that belonged to King Leopold II of Belgium.

Support human rights in Colombia

Through November 24, a letter calling for change in U.S. policy towards Colombia will be circulating through the House of Representatives. This letter calls for a decrease in U.S. aid for Colombia's military and an increase in support for human rights and humanitarian efforts. This is our chance to get Congress behind the changes that the General Assembly called for in 2008 and have our government start standing by our brothers and sisters in Colombia.
 
The letter makes a strong case for why there is no time to waste in changing our policies towards Colombia. It paints a vivid picture of the Colombian government's failure to protect human rights, raising issues like the killing of civilians by the army, the persecution of human rights defenders, and the humanitarian crisis of over four million people who have been forcibly displaced from their homes. Echoing what the General Assembly has been saying for a long time, it demands a cut in military aid and an increase in support for victims and those who are working for peace and justice in Colombia. It also calls for an end to harmful and ineffective aerial fumigations, investing instead in drug treatment in the United States.
 
At least 70 representatives need to back up the initiators of this letter - Representatives Jim McGovern, Jan Schakowsky, Donald Payne, and Mike Honda - by adding their signatures before it is sent to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The best way to persuade your member of congress to sign on is by calling his/her office and speaking directly with foreign policy staff, so please do it today!
 
How to Make an Effective Call
Check to make sure your Representative has not signed on yet. Click here to check our updated list of co-signers. Then, call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask to be put through to your member of Congress. If you don't know who your representative is, click here. Ask the receptionist if you can speak with the Foreign Policy aide. If he/she is not available, ask to leave a message. A script that you can use in your phone call follows below, but feel free to add any personal stories or thoughts that you'd like to share.
 
General Assembly Guidance
The 218th General Assembly (2008) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) voted to do the following:
 
Call on the members and congregations of the PC(USA) to study the situation in Colombia , diligently pray for the work of the Presbyterian Church of Colombia , and advocate with senators, representatives, and the president of the United States to lay down the weapons of violence and support the nonviolent struggle of the churches and civil society of Colombia and those in the U.S. who stand beside Colombians to end the violence by:
1.    Withdrawing military support to the government of Colombia.
2.    Reorienting U.S. policies toward Colombia in such a way as to encourage a more equitable distribution of that country's immense wealth, and to protect the rights of groups threatened by the interests of large corporations, including indigenous people, Afro-Colombians, labor leaders, human rights workers, and many campesinos.
3.    Ending the aerial fumigation for coca crops and focusing on programs that provide higher levels of support for farmers to convert to alternative crops and that reduce demand for drugs in the United States.
4.    Transferring U.S. support to the growing civil society committed to democracy and nonviolence.
5.    Providing aid to strengthen health care, education, and nutrition, especially among the displaced.
6.    Increasing aid for resettlement of displaced persons in their homelands.

7.    Channeling aid through nongovernmental organizations.

The photo is by Sarah Henken, Coordinator of the Colombia Accompaniment Program.

Help keep families together this Christmas

You and Your Church Can Help Keep Families Together this Christmas: Join the Holiday Postcard Campaign!
 
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has called for comprehensive immigration reform through action of the 216th General Assembly and by signing on to faith initiatives which urge Congress to act.
 
The Interfaith Platform on Humane Immigration Reform [pdf], a statement issued by a large and diverse coalition of national, state and local religious organizations and faith leaders, upholds family unity as a priority of all immigration policies.
 
The coming holiday season, when many will spend time with their families, will be an important time to remind Members of Congress of the urgent need for immigration reform that will help put immigrant families back together and to urge them to act soon.

Join the Holiday Postcard Campaign for Immigration Reform from October through December. Participation in the Holiday Postcard Campaign will remind Members of Congress that our broken immigration system is hurting immigrant families, and needs to be reformed now.

The Presbyterian Office on Immigration Issues provides additional information and resources.