May Day

Around the world, people are celebrating May Day, otherwise known as International Workers' Day, or simply Labour Day.

The idea for a "workers holiday" began in Australia in 1856. Then, in 1884, the Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions of the United States and Canada (FOTLU) passed a resolution that "eight hours shall constitute a legal day's labor from and after May 1, 1886."

The idea of a holiday honoring workers and the eight-hour workday spread around the world, and the choice of May 1st became both a celebration of the eight-hour work day and a commemoration for the people involved in the 1886 Haymarket affair in the United States (where the holiday is not celebrated).

This May Day, we invite you to support worker justice by getting more involved with two of our main partners in this area: Let Justice Roll and Interfaith Worker Justice.

Christian Witness for Peace in Iraq

Today marked the last day of the Christian Witness for Peace in Iraq national conference and public event in Washington, DC. Christians of every denomination from across the nation came to National City Christian Church for two days of workshops, worship, and action.

A moving worship with inspiring music and dynamic speakers (including Tony Campolo) was followed by a march to the White House, a vigil in front of the White House, and the arrest of about 30 individuals engaged in peaceful acts of civil disobedience.

Although generally supportive of the new directions being taken by President Obama, participants wanted to stress their strong commitment to peace throughout the world (including Afghanistan and Pakistan) and to urge the President to withdraw more quickly the U.S. troops still in Iraq.

For more information on this event, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Mobilization to End Poverty

Wednesday marked the final of three days of Sojourners' Mobilization to End Poverty, the nation's largest gathering of Christian leaders and activists committed to overcoming poverty in our country and world.

This Mobilization brought together more than 1,100 Christians from across the religious spectrum who visited 83 Senate and 200 House offices to advocate for including low-income families and vulnerable people in the economic recovery. Participants on the first full day of the Mobilization were excited and energized by a video message from the president, who took the opportunity to recommit to overcoming poverty in our country and partnering with the faith community.

For general information about the conference, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

For details about the conference as it went along, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

House Passes Hate Crimes Legislation

Yesterday, hate crimes legislation passed the U.S. House of Representatives.

According to The New York Times, "The vote was 249 to 175, with most Democrats voting in favor and most Republicans against. The bill defines hate crimes as those motivated by prejudice and based on a victim’s race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability. The measure would provide grants for state and local authorities to investigate and prosecute hate crimes , and it would empower the federal government to prosecute cases if states asked for Washington’s help or were reluctant to exercise their own authority."

Also yesterday, a hate crimes bill was introduced in the U.S. Senate. If it passes in the Senate then it goes to the President's desk for his signature. President Obama supports the bill.

While President Obama is holding a nationally televised press conference to mark the 100th day of his administration, hundreds of mostly progressive Christians will be gathered outside the White House risking arrest as they press the president for a quicker end to the war in Iraq. Christian Peace Witness for Iraq, a coalition of more than 20 faith-based peace groups, will participate in a public act of repentance for the war and ask the president to join them in beginning the work of reconciliation and rebuilding in Iraq.

Today, CPWI will hold a worship service and direct action to repent together of U.S. actions in Iraq, and to insist that the war must be brought to an immediate end. Events will include an opening convocation at National City Christian Church (featuring Noah Baker Merrill and Kathy Kelly), worship at the church at 7:00 p.m. (featuring Elizabeth McAlister, Tony Campolo, Lennox Yearwood, and Dianna Ortiz), and direct action in front of the White House at 8:45 p.m.

For more information, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Canadian Government Acts to Improve Health of First Nations

The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, and Saskatchewan Minister of Health Don McMorris, today announced support for seven new projects in Saskatchewan aimed at improving the health of First Nations and Métis people.

Through its Aboriginal Health Transition Fund (AHTF), the Government of Canada is investing a total of $13.8 million in Saskatchewan over five years (2005/06 to 2009/10) to improve the health of the nearly 142,000 First Nations and Métis people living in the province. Nearly $2.4 million of this amount is being allocated to support seven new projects.

For more on this story, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

For information about the commitment of Canadian churches to Aboriginal rights, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Canadian Churches Oppose Trade Agreement with Colombia

On March 26, 2009, the Harper government introduced legislation (Bill C23) in the House of Commons to implement the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement. This was done despite widespread opposition from churches, labour, human rights groups, as well as the opposition National Democratic Party and Bloc Québécois. These groups insist that the Free Trade Agreement will do nothing to alleviate the ongoing systematic human rights crisis in Colombia. In addition, ecumenical partners in Colombia fear that the deal will even exacerbate the hemisphere’s worst human rights situation.

There is not much time to stop this deal, but Canadian churches associated with KAIROS Canada are urging Christians and other people of faith to take action immediately. And they are working with other networks across the country to oppose the agreement, including organizing the Week of Action against the Canada-Colombia FTA during the week of April 27.

To find out more, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

To take action, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

TORTURE UPDATE - April 23, 2009

President Obama yesterday ruled out a Torture Truth Commission. CLICK HERE to read more about this story.

President Obama Moving on Torture Issue

In response to questions about torture yesterday, President Barack Obama appeared to allow for the possible prosecution of former officials: he said those who acted outside the guidelines and those who produced the guidelines might be subject to prosecution, but that such decisions would need to be made by the Justice Department and not the White House. (The Attorney General has not ruled out prosecutions and is seriously considering the appointment of a special prosecutor).

The President also stated that although he is not calling for the formation of a special commission to investigate this matter, he would certainly support one should it come about.

Religious leaders, communions, and organizations associated with the National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT)--including DJAN and General Minister and President Sharon Watkins--have been consistently calling for such a commission, insisting that we need to know not only who did what, but also how any of this was ever done and how to make sure that it never happens again.

To help NRCAT, its partners and supporters influence both the President and Congress on this important issue, please sign this interfaith coalition's Statement Calling for a Commission of Inquiry. The President is moving on this issue, so please act quickly.

PLEASE CLICK HERE to read and sign the statement.

Prime Minister of Canada Marks Yom Hashoah

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued the following statement today to mark Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day):

"Today Canadians from coast to coast will stand together in remembering the millions of innocent people who were killed during the Holocaust.

"It is important that we take this opportunity to remember the suffering endured by the victims of the Holocaust and their families. It helps keep strong the conviction in our hearts to do everything we can – through our actions and our words – to stand firm against the forces of intolerance and remain vigilant against genocide. Only through these continued efforts can we ensure that such atrocities never happen again.

"Our government remains vigilant, both at home and abroad, against all forms of racism and discrimination, including the malignant hatreds of Holocaust denial and anti-Semitism. We oppose and condemn anti-Semitism no matter where it is found and no matter what shape it takes.

"We are committed to ensuring that future generations understand the causes and consequences of the Holocaust. We will continue to work closely with the State of Israel and all of our partners to ensure that the lessons of the Holocaust are never forgotten."

President Obama Lifts Travel Restrictions on Cuban Americans

Today, President Obama directed that a series of steps be taken to reach out to the Cuban people and, according a White House statement, "support their desire to enjoy basic human rights and to freely determine their country’s future."

The President directed the Secretaries of State, Treasury and Commerce to carry out the actions necessary to lift all restrictions on the ability of individuals to visit family members in Cuba, and to send them remittances.

He further directed that steps be taken to enable the freer flow of information among the Cuban people and between those in Cuba and the rest of the world, as well as to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian items directly to the Cuban people.

According to the White House statement, "In taking these steps to help bridge the gap among divided Cuban families and to promote the increased flow of information and humanitarian items to the Cuban people, President Obama is working to fulfill the goals he identified both during his presidential campaign and since taking office."

The statement continues: "All who embrace core democratic values long for a Cuba that respects the basic human, political and economic rights of all of its citizens. President Obama believes the measure he has taken today will help make that goal a reality. He encourages all who share it to continue their steadfast support for the Cuban people."

Travel restrictions to Cuba, including restrictions on religious leaders, is an issue of great importance to many Christian denominations and other communities of faith.

To read more about this, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Christ is Risen Indeed! Allelulia!

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. God has sent me to proclaim freedom to the captives and recovery to the sight of the blind, to liberate the oppressed, to proclaim the Year of the Jubilee. (Luke 4:18-19).

He was revealed in flesh and vindicated by the Spirit. . . . (1 Timothy 3:16).

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8).

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus. . . . (Philippians 2:5).


The Disciples Center for Public Witness, Disciples Justice Action Network (DJAN), and Disciples Advocacy & Witness Network (DAWN) in the Christian Church Capital Area wish you, your family, your congregation, and all your friends and loved ones a most blessed Easter.

May the resurrection-power of the living Jesus and his everlasting passion for justice be in us and flow through us as we become more faithful examples and agents of "wholeness in a fragmented world." Christ is risen indeed! Allelulia!

GOOD FRIDAY

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice: for they shall be filled (Matthew 5:6).

Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of justice: for theirs is the reign of heaven (Matthew 5:10).

We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Just (1 John 2:1).

On this holy day, we join with other Disciples and all Christians around the world to pause in awe, pray in silence, and remember with genuine gratitude the saving power of God's unmerited and boundless love as it was revealed to us in the crucifixion, suffering and death of our Advocate, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Holy Week Blessings to all!

DISCIPLES CENTER for PUBLIC WITNESS

DISCIPLES JUSTICE ACTION NETWORK (DJAN)

Disciples Advocacy and Witness Network (DAWN) in the Christian Church Capital Area

Maundy Thursday

Today is Maundy Thursday, the day on which Christians around the world commemorate the Last Supper of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It is a time to focus on both the passion of our Lord and the great eschatological feast that awaits us--and in which we partially participate even now--because of what God did for us in Christ at Calvary.

Also this week, our Jewish sisters and brothers are celebrating Passover, a holy time that remembers and praises God for the liberation of Israel from bondage in Egypt, and anticipates the future liberation of all peoples from the bondage of slavery, oppression and injustice.

As we participate in Maundy Thursday prayer and worship, let us keep in mind the origins of the Lord's Supper in the Passover, the grounding of our Table spirituality in the Biblical vision of liberation and shalom, and the indispensability of both personal and social transformation to an authentic Christian faith--one seeking wholeness in a fragmented world.

GMP Watkins Appointed by President Obama to White House Advisory Council

GMP Sharon Watkins was today appointed to the President's Advisory Council for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships. The council is intended to strengthen the ability of faith-based and other neighborhood organizations to deliver services effectively in partnership with federal, state, and local governments and with other private organizations, while preserving fundamental constitutional commitments.

Watkins is one of twenty-five members of the council, a diverse group spanning the religious and ideological spectrum, with wide ranging views on important issues.

Other members include: Bishop Charles Blake, Presiding Bishop, Church of God in Christ; Anju Bhargava, Asian Indian Women in America; Noel Castellanos, CEO, Christian Community Development Association; Rev. Peg Chemberlin, President-Elect, National Council of Churches; Nathan Diament, Head of Washington Office, Orthodox Union; Harry Knox, Director of Religion and Faith Program, Human Rights Campaign; Dalia Mogahed, Senior Analyst and Executive Director of the Gallup Center for Muslim Studies; Anthony Picarello, General Counsel, USCCB (official representative of the US Council of Catholic Bishops); Nancy Ratzan, Chair of the Board, National Council of Jewish Women; Diane Baillargeon, President & CEO, Seedco, a secular national operating intermediary, New York, NY; Dr. Arturo Chavez, Ph.D., President & CEO, Mexican American Cultural Center, San Antonio, TX; Fred Davie, President, Public / Private Ventures, a secular non-profit intermediary, New York, NY; Pastor Joel C. Hunter, Senior Pastor, Northland, a Church Distributed, Lakeland, FL; Bishop Vashti M. McKenzie, Presiding Bishop, 13th Episcopal District, African Methodist Episcopal Church, Knoxville, TN; Rev. Otis Moss, Jr., Pastor emeritus, Olivet Institutional Baptist Church, Cleveland, OH; Dr. Frank S. Page, President emeritus, Southern Baptist Convention; Eboo S. Patel, Founder & Executive Director, Interfaith Youth Corps, Chicago, IL; Melissa Rogers, Director, Wake Forest School of Divinity Center for Religion and Public Affairs; Rabbi David N. Saperstein, Director & Counsel, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism; Dr. William J. Shaw, President, National Baptist Convention, USA; Father Larry J. Snyder, President, Catholic Charities USA; Richard Stearns, President, World Vision; Judith N. Vredenburgh, President and Chief Executive Officer, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America; Rev. Jim Wallis, President & Executive Director, Sojourners.

For more information on these individuals, Please Visit HERE and HERE.

To read information about this from the White House,Please Click HERE and HERE.