Justice, Mercy and Kindness Through Advocacy
A Workshop on Advocacy for Persons of Every Faith
Few Christians would disagree that Christ taught us to love our neighbors and that we should demonstrate that love by feeding the hungry, healing the sick and clothing the naked. We fully support the idea of Christian charity. Advocating for justice is not nearly as well accepted as part of our call as Christians. The Social Principles of the United Methodist Church, however, are very clear on that point:
“The strength of a political system depends upon the full and willing participation of its citizens. The church should continually exert a strong ethical influence upon the state, supporting policies and programs deemed to be just and opposing policies and programs that are unjust.” - Social Principles of the United Methodist Church 164 B
Justice, Mercy and Kindness Through Advocacy sponsored by the Bishop’s Initiative to Eliminate Hunger is a workshop designed to dispel the myths surrounding advocacy and the role of the church. Do you feel that churches should not be involved in advocacy? Do you doubt that you can make a difference? Are you overwhelmed at the idea of contacting an elected official? Are you unsure of what you should say or do? Then fill your car with others who have similar questions and head for Morningside United Methodist Church, 3674 12th Street SE, Salem on Saturday, April 10, 2010, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Over $8.5 Million has been given to Haiti Relief by United Methodists. But in the months and years to come, the need will be great. The United Methodist Committee on Relief is working in partnership with the Methodist Church of Haiti to restore the people of Haiti.
Oregon-Idaho Pastors School is making major changes this year; so much so that the planning team has adding “Reinvented” to the title of the annual event. The dates for Pastors school are May 10-14 this year. On-line Registration is now available, and you can download the event brochure.
Attendance will be open to all including clergy serving under appointment or on leave of absence, retired, or in ordination candidacy; deacons; and interested laity including church staff and clergy spouses. This year’s keynote leaders offer programs about ongoing work that is directed at expanding the capabilities of clergy to deal with today’s most challenging spiritual concerns.
Change and Choices will be apparent at the 2010 Session of the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference. Bishop Robert T. Hoshibata has announced that most events of the conference will be held at the Salem Conference Center, four blocks from Willamette University in downtown Salem. Current plans call for the conference to begin on Thursday, June 10, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. with all conference attendees present at the first Living the Connection plenary session. The conference will end with a celebration of worship on Sunday, June 13 following the last of the Living the Connection sessions that morning. Families and visitors from area congregations will once again be invited to join in this closing worship which, according to Bishop Hoshibata, “will start on time!”
The theme for Annual Conference 2010: Boldly Making Disciples of Jesus Christ: Embracing Change, not only speaks to the change of conference location, but the need for change in how our Annual Conference and Local Churches go about their business. Bishop Hoshibata shared that, “It picks up on statements made at Annual Conference in 2009 to the effect that: We cannot transform the world if we are not willing to transform ourselves.”
At three events in October, Dr. Clayton Childers of the General Board of Church and Society provided in-depth information and background resources to assist local churches in exploring our United Methodist Social Principles. As your congregation plans for training events, classes, or discussion, you are encouraged to download the additional materials listed below. For more information about Oregon-Idaho Social Principles events or resouces contact Rev. April Hall Cutting at
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You can download Rev. Dr. Childers PowerPoint presentation from the day (broadband connection recomended).
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Few Christians would disagree that Christ taught us to love our neighbors and that we should demonstrate that love by feeding the hungry, healing the sick and clothing the naked. We fully support the idea of Christian charity. Advocating for justice is not nearly as well accepted as part of our call as Christians. The Social Principles of the United Methodist Church, however, are very clear on that point:
