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Social Justice & Peacemaking

"Peace is not the product of terror or fear. Peace is not the silence of cemeteries. Peace is not the silent result of violent repression. Peace is the generous, tranquil contribution of all to the good of all. Peace is dynamism. Peace is generosity. It is right and it is duty." Archbishop Oscar A. Romero Martyred March 24, 1980 - El Salvador

Purpose:

Provide Resources

Justice Issues

Special Ministries

Hunger

Substance Abuse

Peace Advocates in Church and Community

One of the goals of the Social Justice & Peacemaking Committee is to facilitate communications on issues of justice and peace within our presbytery. We want to hear from your congregation about the ministries and missions which are already being supported, your needs for information, or exciting new news!

Events and Information Domestic violence awareness and prevention classes Joan Fenton works with religious professionals and church groups within the Presbytery, leading domestic violence awareness and prevention classes at any location. Workshops include: Training on the religious issues of domestic violence Providing tools and a resource kit for effective pastoral care to victims, offenders and their families Assisting in the development of prevention strategies and policies for congregations Ideas and study areas for adults who are concerned about our most vulnerable populations: children, youth and the elderly Joan Fenton serves on the national leadership team of Presbyterians Against Domestic Violence Network, or PADVN. Join this network and partner with us as we seek to end domestic violence. Both individual and church memberships are available. Go online to www.pcusa.org/phewa. Click on "learn more about PHEWA". There are eleven vital networks that promote justice and peace on this site. To schedule a workshop for your church or for more information about domestic violence awareness and resources, contact Joan at rfenton5@cox.net or at 602-451-7926 Presbyterian Hunger Program (PHP) The Presbyterian Hunger Program (PHP), a ministry of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), works to alleviate hunger and eliminate its causes, responding with compassion and justice to poor and hungry people in local communities in the United States and internationally. To access the PHP website to learn more about the Presbyterian Hunger Program log onto - www.pcusa.org/hunger Questions? Andrew Kang Bartlett, Associate for National Hunger Concerns Presbyterian Hunger Program, PC(USA) 100 Witherspoon St., Room 3429 Louisville, KY 40202 (502) 569-5388 or (888) 728-7228 x5388; Fax (502) 333-7388 or email abartlet@ctr.pcusa.org Food & Faith - www.pcusa.org/food Just Trade - www.pcusa.org/trade

PAADA
The Presbyterian Alliance on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (PAADA) was organized in the name of Jesus Christ to develop an awareness and recognition of the disease of alcoholism and drug addiction within the Presbyterian Church, and to act as a bridge between the church and the recovery process for victims and their families. To that end, we provide worship services, information, and educational programs, confidential counseling, and pastoral support.

PAADA has conducted programs for more than half of the churches in Grand Canyon Presbytery over the last 22 years. We have brought national leadership here for seminars for pastors, and have utilized local experts for Big Event workshops on varied areas of addiction. We participate in Mission and Health Fairs with our professional exhibit and make available to congregations a wide variety of informative material.

Since 1987 PAADA (Presbyterian Alliance on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse) has provided SCHOLARSHIPS (including registration, lodging, and travel) for people from Grand Canyon Presbytery to attend this outstanding annual training event, held at the University of Utah. The school includes various sections including, Education, Prevention and Youth Counseling; Substance Abuse Overview; American Indian; Criminal and Juvenile Justice; among others. The training is a valuable opportunity to meet and learn from national leaders from medicine, psychology, sociology, and therapeutic settings. For scholarship information, contact Ellie Schafer (602) 275-0506. University of Utah website: http://uuhsc.utah.edu/uas/

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Social Justice Action

What Churches Can and Can't Do in the Public Policy Arena

At this critical time in our history, churches must understand the legal role they can play in addressing issues of social justice and peacemaking through local and national legislatures. Many churches believe (incorrectly) that they cannot legally influence current debates, and they have voluntarily removed themselves from the public arena. Although certain limitations are imposed by the IRS tax code and campaign laws, churches and pastors have many legal avenues for speaking on vital issues. The following guidelines are based on requirements by the Federal Election Campaign Act and Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. They are designed to provide general guidance in determining how churches may be involved in public policy, the legislative process, and in elections. We recommend, however, that a church seek legal advice before making specific plans for action.

Legislative Activity
Generally speaking, as non-profit entities regulated under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, churches may engage in limited attempts to 'influence legislation' and still qualify for non-profit tax status. However, the activity must not constitute more than an 'insubstantial' part of its overall activity, including time and money. The amount allowed by the code is not clear-cut. A fairly safe gauge is to limit legislative activity to less than 5 percent of the church's overall activity. In some cases, the IRS has allowed activity between 5 and 20 percent, but more than 20 percent has been found unacceptable.

'Legislative activity' is any activity intended to influence legislation - bills before the U.S. Congress or state legislature, measures before city councils, initiatives and referenda. These activities include: directly contacting elected officials about legislation, urging church members and others to communicate with legislators about legislation, and circulating petitions related to legislation.

As long as a church stays within the appropriate amount of activity, it may engage in any or all of these activities. No limitations are placed on church members, including pastors, when acting as private individuals and not on behalf of the church.

What does all this mean? If your church budget is $1,000,000, you can safely spend up to $50,000 directly influencing legislation - sending a mailing to church members asking them to call legislators on a bill, or urging them to vote. Pastors, you can mention a bill number by name from the pulpit, and give out contact information for key legislators. You can preach about social justice and peacemaking issues, then urge your members to call their elected officials on a particular bill related to the issue.

Election and Political Campaigns
The IRS code is far more restrictive on churches and other non-profit organizations in election activities. Partisan activity is prohibited, including engaging in any activity in support of or opposition to any candidate for political office, or involvement in a political campaign. However, some nonpartisan activity, particularly voter registration and voter education, is allowed.
Not only can you register voters at your church, you are free to endorse and distribute to all your church members nonpartisan voter information publications (VIP) such as the one produced by The Center for Arizona Policy. These publications do not endorse candidates, but provide all candidates with an opportunity to answer questions on a variety of issues. There is no legal restriction whatsoever on the ability of churches to register voters or provide them with candidate survey information - in other words, funds and time spent on these activities are not counted toward the 5 percent limitation discussed above.

Conclusion
We hope this document makes clear that churches can do much more than help their constituents become salt and light in our state than has been commonly understood. Persons in the church have every right to participate and have our voices heard in our local and national governing processes.

Be a Jubilee Congregation! Jubilee Congregations seek to grow the voice and moral presence of faith communities in the struggle to break the chains of debt in the developing world. This program is a tremendous opportunity for faith communities to become more active in the fight to save lives and restore hope for the millions affected by the debt crisis. Jubilee Congregations aim to broaden and deepen the roots of the U.S. faith communities in standing with our brothers and sisters in the developing world. We want to galvanize the human and financial resources of congregations - of all sizes and traditions - with a desire to do more for the world's poor. Our hope is that Jubilee Congregations will be a practical way that communities can get involved in global justice and advocacy in solidarity with sister communities in the developing world.
A Jubilee Congregation:
Prays for Jubilee justice for the world's poorest communities Provides a contact person to facilitate education and action in your faith community on debt Raises one dollar per member to support the mission of Jubilee USA Network Contributes one letter per member to elected officials on debt cancellation. To become a Jubilee Congregation, please send your financial commitment to:
Jubilee USA Network
222 East Capital Street, NE
Washington, DC 20003
For more information about the program, and activities you might participate in, please visit our website at www.jubileeusa.org

Micah 6 is a congregational initiative for integrating the ministries of justice, service and spiritual growth into the entire life of the church. It is a program of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA, through its Economic Justice and Domestic Hunger Program Ministry. Micah 6 offers curriculum and worship resources for education, action and spiritual growth rooted in the fundamental question of Christian discipleship - what does the Lord require of you?
For more information about the program and the resources offered, contact Micah 6 at their toll-free number (877) MICAH 60 or visit their website: www.micah6.org

Hunger No More offers a six-part lesson plan which is primarily designed to get non-activists engaged in a discussion in which they can learn from one another as well as from the materials. The sessions are grounded in Scripture and prayer; they are useful for Advent or Lenten series, with adult and youth study groups, Christian communities, Sunday and day school classes, and interfaith discussions. HNM includes handouts which can be mailed to people who are unable to attend the sessions, and provides links to children and youth activities, policy websites, denominational statements, and statistical updates. For more information, contact the Presbyterian Hunger Program at 800.334.0434 or php@pcusa.org, or go to the Hunger No More website www.hungernomore.org

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Community Notes

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International

The Peace Fund for Solidarity with the Churches
The dimensions of disruption, displacement and damage to the spiritual and programmatic life of the Churches of Iraq as a result of the war may never be known. Combined with the devastation from 12 years of economic sanctions and two previous wars while enduring a long and brutally oppressive regime, it is certain that life in Iraq, including church life, has suffered untold damage. American Presbyterians have had a long love for, and a relationship with mission and ministry with the people of Iraq, especially the Christians and Iraqi Presbyterians in particular. As "next of kin," PC(USA) has an opportunity to demonstrate genuine partnership with Iraqi Christians as they work, over many years, to rise from the rubble and ashes. The Peace Fund for Solidarity with The Churches of Iraq is intended to offer a positive witness affirming the power of resurrection and hope, after such a long struggle with all the symbols of death. It is intended to help Presbyterians in the US to share in the struggle of Iraqi Christians to make a new start. The needs will include new pastoral and lay leadership development; Sunday School curriculum, teachers and youth workers; assistance and training for doctors, nurses, community health workers, counselors and therapists; development work among women and children, especially those widowed/orphaned by the wars; new church development as well as facility restoration work. For more information: www.pcusa.org/peacemaking/peacefund.htm

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Meeting Dates:
2nd Monday of the month
9:00 AM
Public

A Program Committee

Committee Members: 15
CHAIR: Trina Zelle
VICE CHAIR: Teri Conrad

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Class of 2008
Conrad, Teri
Ramos, Rev. G. Derney
Sabbagh, Rev. John
Zelle, Rev. Trina

Class of 2009
Bentley, Adair
Fenton, Joan
Hicks, Rev. Mae
Moranville, Rev. Tom

Class of 2010
Boesen, Kirk
Chin, David
Humphries, Richard
Schafer, Rev. Mac
Wilson, Leland

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Peacemaking Enabler - Cindy Michels

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Hunger Action Enabler - Sue Stevenson

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PAADA Representative - Ellie Shafer

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Presbyterians for Restoring Creation Enabler - David Sholin


Resource links listed to the left may be helpful. Please be aware that the Social Justice & Peacemaking Committee does not endorse or control the contents of these websites. Your suggestions for additional links are welcome.