Lawmakers Promote Freedom to Travel to Cuba

In a press conference at noon today, Senators Dorgan (D-ND), Enzi (R-WY), and Dodd (D-CT), along with representatives of the American Farm Bureau, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and Human Rights Watch, publicly announced S. 428, "The Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act." The bill was introduced with 20 Senate co-sponsors.

On Thursday, April 2, the House of Representatives will hold its own press conference to unvail H.R. 874, the House equivalent of "The Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act." So far, the House version has a total of 121 co-sponsors.

Restrictions on travel to Cuba has been a major concern to religious leaders, including our General Minister and President, Dr. Sharon Watkins, who, on March 24, 2009, signed a letter to both Houses of Congress urging legislators "to end the travel ban" as "a vital step in achieving a sounder policy toward Cuba."

To read the letter to Congress, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

To find out if your member of Congress is a co-sponsor, PLEASE CLICK HERE and then type H.R.874 in the search box.

To find out if your Senator is a co-sponsor, PLEASE CLICK HERE and then type S.428 in the search box.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to BISHOP BENJAMIN

The Disciples Center for Public Witness and the Disciples Justice Action Network wish a very happy birthday to Bishop T. Garrott Benjamin and join with those who also continue to celebrate his 40 years of ministry at Light of the World Christian Church in Indianapolis.

Bishop Benjamin is a strong ally and supporter of DJAN, and a member of the Council of Governors of the Disciples Center for Public Witness. The Center has its Indianapolis office at Light of the World, where the Center's Associate Advocacy Team Leader, the Rev. Mmoja Ajabu, serves as coordinator, and Dr. Preston Adams, III, serves as the Center's Senior Advisor on Juvenile Justice and Restoration.

To visit the Bishop's home page and learn about his new book, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

To watch videos of the Bishop teaching, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

To read Rev. Ajabu's blog, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

To read Dr. Adams' blog, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Earth Hour 2009

The Disciples Center for Public Witness joins with the Disciples Justice Action Network, Kairos Canada, Disciples Home Missions, the United Church of Canada, and many others to celebrate Earth Hour across Canada and the United States. The purpose of EARTH HOUR is to send the message that the faith community is concerned about climate change and committed to finding solutions. On March 28, 2009, at 8:30 PM local time, for 60 minutes, congregations are urged to send a strong symbolic message by turning off steeple lights and other decorative lighting. They are also encouraged to incorporate themes about climate change and care for God's creation into worship services and other events occurring in close proximity to Earth Hour.

Last year, in the largest event ever to call attention to climate change, 50 million people representing 400 cities on all seven continents turned out their lights.

For more about Earth Hour, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

To get worship and other resources related to Earth Hour, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Groups Call on Congress to Pass President Obama's Budget

The Disciples Justice Action Network has joined the Justice and Witness Ministries of the United Church of Christ in calling on the U.S. Congress to pass the budget presented to them by President Obama.

According to a alert sent out by JWM and endorsed by DJAN:

President Barack Obama's recent budget proposal is transformative. The spending plan, which covers fiscal year 2010, represents a significant funding increase for education, health care, child hunger, housing, and other non-military programs that United Church of Christ advocates have worked for over the years. It also makes needed investments in renewable energy, education, and health care. As Congress adopts a budget resolution, we urge our elected officials to fund the priorities set out in the President’s proposal.

The federal budget is a statement of our country's priorities. How this money is spent and how the taxes and fees are raised says a lot about who we are. As people of faith living in a democracy we are called to speak out and express our values so that they, too, can be reflected in the federal budget.

According to both DJAN and JWM, the President’s budget:

• Stimulates the economy in an effort to end the recession.
  Most experts say the legislation passed by Congress in February to end the recession was inadequate. The proposed budget will provide additional aid. Some argue that the budget proposal creates deficits in future years that are too large. Obama has clearly acknowledged that large deficits in the future are unacceptable and, if they arise, would have to be addressed. He proposes preventive action now by making the investments needed to help the economy grow, proposing tax increases on the wealthy, and reining in spending, for example, by constraining health care costs.
• Supports human needs programs to help those on the bottom rungs of the economic ladder.
  Human needs programs have suffered cuts for years. This proposed budget would begin to restore funding to the level needed to support our most vulnerable populations. Particularly in this time of severe economic difficulty, these programs are desperately needed.
• Makes needed investments to support future prosperity that is shared by all.
  The budget funds a number of needed and long-overdue investments, in particular, in energy, education, and health care. These are critical for our future economic security and general well-being. They also create jobs and encourage private sector investments.

DJAN and JWM encourage grassroots justice activists and public policy justice advocates to contact their representatives and urge them to pass a budget resolution that includes substantial funding to support the priorities laid out in the President's budget proposal--a budget that invests in the common good, stimulates the economy and provides solutions to some of the nation’s most pressing problems, including the failing health insurance system, climate change and the need for renewable energy sources, economic insecurity, and inadequate education and job preparation.

To take action, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

To learn more about the budget, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Faith groups Laud Legislation Protecting God's Creation

Faith groups and individuals from around the country have sent messages to Congress this week, encouraging action to protect millions of acres of God’s Creation.

The messages support H.R. 146, which gives congressional authorization to the National Landscape Conservation System, protects some of the finest scenic views, wildlife habitat, and outdoor recreational activities in the Wyoming Range and establishes new wilderness areas in the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia.

The bill, in the view of its faith group supporters, provides Americans with new opportunities to experience the beauty of God’s Creation, and new places to which they can journey to experience God’s presence.

To read more, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Religious Heads to Hold Their Own Summit During G8

When the world's most powerful government leaders gather in Canada next year to discuss how to get the global economy back on track, religious leaders from around the world will be on hand to push them to remember the poor and the environment.

"How can the G8 ignore it if all these voices are speaking together," asks Rev. Karen Hamilton, general secretary of the Canadian Council of Churches.

The Council of Churches is organizing what promises to be the biggest ever such gathering of religious leaders from around the world in a counter-conference to coincide with the annual G8 political leaders' conference planned for the Deerhurst Resort near Huntsville.

To read more, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

GM Executives Cross the Border into Mexico

The Rev. Randy Mayer, pastor of Good Shepherd United Church of Christ in Sahuarita, Ariz., invited executives from Global Ministries, the combined mission agencies of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ, to Arizona/Mexico for a tour of border ministries – March 10-12, 2009.

Among those who crossed the border into Mexico with the delegation were Global Ministries co-executives Cally Rogers-Witte and David Vargas, Global Ministries Latin America and the Caribbean Area Executive, Felix Ortiz, and Gregg Brekke, editor of the UC News.

The group came face to face with deep poverty, dire need, and desperate people who make the often life-threatening decision to cross our border against the laws that prohibit this. They met many who are shaping ministry in this land, and who are bringing hope and dignity to those whom many have forgotten.

Read more at Southwest Conference Minister John Dorhauer's blog
Crossing the Border

Read more at UCNews Editor Gregg Brekke's blog
Borderlands Tour Day 1
Borderlands Tour Day 2
Borderlands Tour Day 3

UN President: "Water is a Human Right"

The President of the United Nations General Assembly told delegates at the World Water Forum in Istanbul that, "We must work quickly to guarantee that access to drinking water constitutes a fundamental right of all peoples..."

In a speech delivered by his senior advisor on water Maude Barlow, UN president Miguel d'Escoto Brockmann said, "Those who are committed to the privatization of water, making it a commodity like oil, are denying people a human right as basic as the air we breathe."

Ms. Barlow, who is also the national chairperson of the Council of Canadians, delivered the president's message to the People's Water Forum, a counter-forum being held by hundreds of civil society members from nearly 70 countries whose voices have not been at the WWF. The speech was later released to the World Water Forum, which is being attended by 20,000 delegates from 150 countries.

To read more, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Canadian Prime Minister releases report on fast tracking of Economic Action Plan; Opposition raises questions

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today provided Canadians with an advanced update on the fast-track implementation of Canada’s Economic Action Plan.

"We are responding, with unprecedented urgency, to one of the greatest challenges our country has ever faced," the Prime Minister said in a speech to the Brampton and Mississauga Boards of Trade. "In the 42 days since our Action Plan was presented, we have taken extraordinary steps to ensure the stimulus starts flowing as quickly as possible."

In addition to tabling the Budget well ahead of normal practice, the Prime Minister also highlighted the Government’s success in cutting red tape, with the Cabinet and Treasury Board approvals processes being cut by up to 2-6 months each.

"We are running six to twelve months ahead of the usual budget timetable," said the Prime Minister, "As a result, by April 1 we will be able to start pumping $20 billion directly into the economy, representing close to 90 percent of the stimulus for 2009-2010 under the Action Plan."

In reality, there was little actual progress to report, given that Parliament has yet to give approval to either the budget implementation bill or several pieces of related legislation. Indeed, some bills have yet to be introduced and none are to go into effect until April 1.

Furthermore, the Liberal Party criticized the government on several areas of the report, including (1) the fact that most infrastructure funding won't start flowing until the fall, missing the summer construction season; and (2) the report's lack of any analysis of the budget's impact on vulnerable Canadians.

The Prime Minister, however, repeated his call for the Opposition Parties to ensure quick passage of the Budget legislation and Estimates, insisting that both are crucial to Canada’s Economic Action Plan. "Too many jobs, too many families' mortgage payments and too many seniors' income security are at stake."

To read more about this story, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

President Obama lifts restrictions on stem cell research

With Nobel Laureates, leaders of the faith community, and patient advocates at his side, President Obama today signed an executive order lifting the ban on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.

The President acknowledged that there are those who strongly oppose this research, and insisted that even as he had come to a different conclusion those opinions deserved full respect. He insisted that the American government has not only a role but a responsibility to keep the country at the forefront of medical science. According to the President, his decision was not based solely on his confidence in science: "As a person of faith, I believe we are called to care for each other and work to ease human suffering."

The executive order was welcomed by the Rev. Carlton Veazey, President of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (of which Disciples for Choice is an active member). According to Veazey, "This change is a victory for rational policy-making that respects diverse religious and moral views."

To read the President's executive order, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

To read the President's memorandum for executive heads of departments and agencies, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

CANADA celebrates Commonwealth Day

Today, Canadians celebrate Commonwealth Day, a holiday that highlights Canada's membership in the Commonwealth and affirms its allegiance to the Queen. As part of the celebration, the Royal Union Flag (the "Union Jack") is flown alongside the national flag at airports, military bases and other federal buildings and establishments across Canada.

In a statement released to the public, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaelle Jean, Governor General of Canada, said, "Commonwealth Day serves as a reminder not only of our past, but also of our growth as a nation. Today is a day to celebrate the unique ties that we share with countries around the word and the history that binds us."

The statement continues, "On Commonwealth Day, we take the opportunity to reflect on our commonalities. No matter the language spoken, the heritage, the customs, the evolution of a country, we can all find similar ground to speak as friends and as global neighbours."

In a statement of his own, The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, added, "“Pluralism binds our diverse peoples together. And this pluralism has flourished here in Canada under the Union Jack and the Maple Leaf."

The Disciples Center for Public Witness and the Disciples Justice Action Network wish all our Canadian sisters and brothers a happy Commonwealth Day.

ADVOCACY DAYS are Here Again!

WHAT: ECUMENICAL ADVOCACY DAYS
WHEN: March 13 - 16, 2009.
WHERE: Hilton Alexandria Mark Center, Alexandria, VA.
For more information, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

ALSO: SPECIAL EVENT
for DISCIPLES and UCC

WHEN: Saturday night, March 14th at 7 PM.
(Pre-event conversation begins at 6:30 PM).

WHERE: In the hotel. (Room location: Walnut).

WHO: All Disciples at the Conference and in the Capital Area, plus our UCC friends.

WHAT: "CLIMATE CHANGE and the greening of the churches." A presentation by our shared GLOBAL MINISTRIES.

ALSO: Theological reflections by DR. MICHAEL KINNAMON, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches.

THIS IS A FREE EVENT.
Snacks and light refreshments provided.
An offering will be taken to help with costs.

Mark your calendars now,
invite your friends to join us,
and RSVP ASAP.

Please let us know if you plan to attend the conference, the special event, or both: disciplescenter@comcast.net.

Fight Against Poverty Heats Up Among Evangelicals in Canada

Street Level, the roundtable on homelessness and poverty facilitated by the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, is planning a major conference on homelessness, to be held in Ottawa from March 25 to 29.

Street Level is a national conference designed to network, resource, encourage and equip those who work among homeless and street-involved youth and adults, or are interested in engaging in relevant social justice issues.

The theme for this conference is "A Legacy of Justice," and a statement issued by the conference organizers states, "Justice, demonstrated and experienced, always leaves a legacy."

To find out more about this conference, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Kinnamon calls on Obama, Napolitano to signal a new day in immigrations policy

Forty-five days into the Obama Administration, the General Secretary of the National Council of Churches is asking for signs that the promised new day in immigrations policy is here.

The Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon issued the appeal after reports that an immigration enforcement raid on a family-owned engine plant in Bellingham, Wash. resulted in the arrest of 28 employees suspected of being illegal immigrants.

The raid, reminiscent of actions routinely carried out by immigrations officials during the Bush Administration, apparently took place without the knowledge of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, who said she was investigating the incident.

To read more about this story, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Colombian social activists travel Canada to speak out against free trade deal

Four leaders of Colombian social movements representing women, Indigenous peoples, workers and faith-based communities came to Canada in February to share their concerns about the impending Canada-Colombia Free Trade Deal. The four leaders were working together under the umbrella of KAIROS Canada partner COMOSOC, the Colombian Coalition of Social Movements, representing over two million Colombians.

The Canadian government’s position is that the human rights situation is improving in Colombia and that the free trade deal will help improve it further. The delegation travelled to Ottawa to set the record straight. In a testament to the importance of their visit, they met with a wide variety of politicians, including Minister for Latin American Peter Kent and Minister for International Trade Stockwell Day, as well as the media. They explained that the human rights crisis is ongoing, widespread and systematic.

In order to strengthen solidarity links between Canadian and Colombian social movements in the struggle for peace with justice in Colombia, the delegates left Ottawa and turned their focus to making connections with Canadian activists and social sectors in Toronto, Montreal, Halifax, Fredericton, Hamilton, and Vancouver. They found overwhelming support for their position and a growing number of Canadians opposed to the deal.

To read more about this story, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Attack on Sri Lanka cricket team condemned by NCC general secretary

The General Secretary of the National Council of Churches has condemned the Tuesday morning attack on the Sri Lanka cricket team in Lahore, Pakistan. Six police officers were killed and six cricket team members were wounded in the well-orchestrated assault that took place at 9 a.m. as the team was on a bus en route to the third day of a match.

"The Council is well aware of the political turmoil taking place in Sri Lanka and Pakistan," said the Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon from Seoul, Korea, where he and NCC President Vicken Aykazian are meeting with church leaders. "But history has made it quite clear that these situations will not be resolved by acts of violence. In no way does it justify murderous attacks on innocent people."

Earlier, Kinnamon called upon Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton to use her good offices to help end the violence in Sri Lanka.

To read more about this story, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Diverse Christian Leaders: Sebelius Good for Common Ground on Abortion

Diverse Christian leaders dedicated to common ground solutions to reduce the number of abortions in America today welcomed President Obama’s nomination of Governor Kathleen Sebelius as Secretary of Health and Human Services. Pointing to her record of reducing abortions in Kansas and commitment working with both parties to get results, the group issued a public statement which said, "As Christians dedicated to finding common ground solutions to reduce the number of abortions in America, we welcome President Obama’s nomination of Governor Kathleen Sebelius as Secretary of Health and Human Services."

The statement continues, "Under Governor Sebelius’ leadership, abortions have decreased in Kansas by 10 percent, adoption funding and incentives have increased, healthcare access for women and families has expanded, prenatal care has become more widely available, and legislation protecting the unborn from crime has become law. Such a record demonstrates a commitment to results rather than rhetoric on life issues."

The statement is signed by a diverse group of Christians including David Gushee, President, Evangelicals for Human Rights; Samuel Rodriguez, President, National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference; Glen Stassen, Professor of Christian Ethics, Fuller Theological Seminary; Melissa Rogers, Director, Center for Religion and Public Affairs, Wake Forest University Divinity School; Randall Balmer, Professor of American Religious History, Barnard College, Columbia University; Jennifer Butler, Executive Director, Faith in Public Life; and Paul De Vries, Board Member, National Association of Evangelicals and President of New York Divinity School.

To read more about this story, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

To read General Assembly Resolution 0725, "Proactive Prevention: Seeking Common Ground on the Issue of Abortion," PLEASE CLICK HERE.