#DOCjustsummer
Long before the protests and other events of recent weeks, groups of Disciples have banded together to do the work of justice. This summer, each issue of Disciples News Service will feature one of our many justice-oriented ministries and invite you to learn more about them. We hope you will find a place to put your passion to work! It's not too late to sign up for the June 20 Poor People's Campaign digital march.
An added bonus for this effort is that our Disciples Peace Fellowship interns, while not able to travel to camps due to the COVID-19 cancellations, will be helping us see these ministries through fresh eyes.
| | We cry power: Poor People's Campaign | | By Jennifer Williams, Disciples Peace Fellowship intern
“Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing homeless children.”- Isaiah 10:1-2
As I scroll down my Facebook news feed, an ad comes up for the Mass Poor People’s Assembly and Moral March on Washington Digital Gathering. This event is taking place on Saturday, June 20, 2020 but there is much to do in anticipation of a world-wide event, much to learn and much to know.
The Poor People’s Campaign is leading the charge with their 12 core principles rooted in justice and moral analysis based on deep religious and constitutional values. Last fall a “Souls of Poor Folk” study was released that shows the ways race, economics and other factors impact people. The aim of the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival is to shift the moral narrative that blames poor people for their poverty, the oppressed for their weariness, the marginalized for their persecution and pits us against each other rather than uniting us to promote desired peace, justice, love, harmony, and fullness. This organization aims to build the power and unity of people from the ground up or (maybe more appropriately for the times) the screen forward. | | You are invited, Disciples!
According to the Poor People's Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival, before the COVID-19 pandemic, almost 700 people were dying every day in the U.S. because of the crisis of poverty. And because of this nation’s high tolerance for these deaths, the national response to this pandemic has only further exposed the country’s distorted morality.
You can join the Mass (Digital) Assembly on Saturday, June 20, and speak up. General Minister and President Terri Hord Owens will be on the program. It will be broadcast on MSNBC. | | | Center for Indigenous Ministries expresses support for National Convocation statement
Recognizing the ways in which the lives of racialized groups affect each other across time and space, the Center for Indigenous Ministries (Disciples of Christ) stands with the National Convocation and all who commit themselves to exposing and eradicating the sin of racism from our world. Indigenous ontologies and cosmologies reflect the view that the cosmos is relational and in order to walk a moral path, humans must develop a moral consciousness that recognizes that all persons have moral worth, interests, practices, and customs. Thus, we affirm and support the call that Black Lives Matter!
We agree with Rev Dr. Timothy James' admonition that “we must work within the Church to have honest dialogue, confession, and deep conversation regarding the narrative that needs to be adjusted to bring about a change and the dismantling of racism.” As Indigenous and non-Indigenous people working for justice, the Center for Indigenous Ministries (Disciples of Christ) also commits to taking our Anti-Racist/Pro-Reconciling initiative to the next level—to not only remember George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Sandra Bland, Philando Castile, Eric Garner, Atatiana Jefferson, and so many more, but also to commit to doing the hard work of exposing and rooting out the systemic and institutional racism in the church and society. | | Invitation to join in prayer
Gracious Savior, we thank you for the continuing witness of the congregations in the West Virginia region. Through floods and pandemic, your faithful servants continue to bring your Good News to their communities. Their spirit of cooperation with surrounding regions is evidence of their determination to be your people. We lift them up in gratitude. Amen | | | | You count!
Future planning by governments, nonprofits and others is directly affected by the numbers from the census, so in spite of the pandemic and because of the inequities in how communities are resourced, General Minister and President Rev. Teresa Hord Owens reminds us that 2020 is a census year in the United States. Fill out the quick form at 2020census.gov to make a difference for your community for the next 10 years! | | | | NBA pauses operations for week of reflection and care, June 15 – 20
During the week of June 15 – 20, NBA will pause all staff operations and programs. For this week, the NBA will not be hosting any events nor will we be meeting with leaders of peer groups and various ministry partner organizations. Our staff will refrain from responding to emails and we will be silent on our NBA social media accounts. For more on why we have made this decision, please see our full announcement here. | | | | People-to-people postponed
With a sense of great responsibility and following Jesus’ second commandment of “Love your neighbor as yourself,” the People-to-People program decided to postpone all pilgrimages for the remainder of the year. In other words, all pilgrimages planned through December 31, 2020, are postponed. While a sad and difficult decision, it is meant to protect already vulnerable and overwhelmed global communities. If you are planning a mission pilgrimage on your own, please consider postponing as well. Read the full statement. | | | | Hurricane season in a time of COVID-19
From Week of Compassion
Summer brings the threat of tropical storms, in addition to the continued possibility of floods, tornadoes, and fires. Last week, the NOAA released their forecast for an active, likely above-average, Atlantic hurricane season. Taking action to be prepared for natural disasters is more important than ever given the complications posed by COVID-19. In addition to basic preparations the CDC offers a few additional suggestions, including: - Evaluate your disaster plan in light of social distancing, especially if your plan involves individuals at increased risk from COVID-19.
- Check local guidance for information about evacuation orders and public shelter options. Evacuation instructions may be different than for past storms due to social distancing needs.
- Include items like hand sanitizer, masks, and soap in your emergency supply kit or go bag.
- Be aware of your emotional and mental health, as the stress of a potential storm compounds the stress of the pandemic.
Meanwhile, it’s also important that church leaders consider congregational disaster plans. General preparedness information, including the full Congregational Guide and “10 Steps to Become a More Prepared Congregation,” is available on the Week of Compassion website. Like families and individuals, congregations should also make some specific considerations for the COVID-19 context. Here are a few things to think about in regards to member care and disaster response: - Where are your members likely to evacuate? What members might need assistance evacuating, especially considering changes to public transportation or limited contact with friends and family members?
- What members have heightened emotional or mental health needs?
- What will need assistance gathering additional supplies to shelter-in-place for a storm?
- How will you incorporate social distancing and safety measures in your response plan?
- If your plan includes use of your building or communal spaces, how will you ensure social distancing? Can activities be relocated to an outdoor setting?
- If your plan includes distribution of food or donated materials, how will you protect volunteers and recipients? Do you have the necessary supplies to do so?
- If your plan involves volunteers, will you require temperature checks, health screenings, masks, or other protective equipment?
- How will you communicate changes to your plan to local emergency and health officials, to members, and to neighbors you would serve?
In taking these steps to plan ahead, congregations can prepare to weather the storm, and be ready to serve their neighbors-- even in the midst of the additional challenges of this season. | | | | COVID-19 resources available
The Office of the General Minister and President has compiled a collection of resources and statements from Church leadership in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are updating this page with more resources as available.
| | | | Please note: The Office of General Minister and President, including Treasury Services, will be closed July 1-5, 2020. | | | | Celebrating and demonstrating Pride, AllianceQ presents a month of liturgical resources that embody the all-inclusive, just love of Jesus with God’s power and peace. A new worship element and resource for use and distribution will be added each week of Pride Month concluding with a live-streamed Pride Worship Service featuring Disciples LGBTQ+ leaders from across the United States and Canada. Join AllianceQ on Sunday, June 28, at 6 p.m. CST, for the Pride service and after-party titled RIOT: Turning Over Tables.
We remember together that Pride is rooted in the bold resistance of trans women of color at Stonewall in 1969. Together, we will name our history by confessing the ways in which Pride has been too often co-opted by white voices; by celebrating leaders like Marsha P. Johnson and centering LGBTQIA+ voices of color; and by considering together the ways in which God’s spirit is inviting us to turn over all tables of injustice as we make our way to our seat at Christ’s table. All event info and free REGISTRATION at this link.
AllianceQ is among LGBTQ organizations uniting to combat racial violence. Read statements here in our June newsletter. We are deeply grateful for the colorful voices of Marian Edmonds-Allen, Cameron Van Kooten Laughead, Alysha Laperche, Sophia Hayes-Jackson, Andrew Deeb, Melissa Guthrie Loy, YaNi Davis, Luther Young, Revdo Chaim Rodríguez, and Allen V. Harris who contributed to Colors of Hope in the last two months. Nine podcasts and creative spiritual practices are a part of the Colors of Hope Series which you can find here: http://disciplesallianceq.org/colors-of-hope/. A compilation of the series with supplemental resources for use in your ministry or group will be available in the fall of 2020. Contact Executive Director + Minister Melissa Guthrie Loy for more information or to be connected with a regional open & affirming ministry team in your area. | | Additional resources
All the colors of the rainbow are featured in this Rainbow Podcast as we close our Colors of Hope series. Hoping in color, we invite you to join the Disciples LGBTQ+ Alliance and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in ongoing work to be actively anti-racist. See color. Embrace color. In words + action. | | | | Bring the world to your church!
As we continue to worship with care, there are many ways to bring the world to you congregation!
- to preach in a Sunday service
- to share in gatherings during the week
- to lead a Sunday school classes
Looking for engaging Sunday school ideas? Consider planning four Sundays of live presentations, pre-recorded presentations, or a mixture of both. Have an exciting month of learning about God’s work in the world!
Mission co-workers who have served in places like Kenya, the Dominican Republic, East Timor, and Greece are available. For questions or to invite someone to share their story, please contact Cathy Nichols. | | Additional resources and opportunities
| | | | More opportunities to put ministry into action
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