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.

Attachments:

File	Description	File size
April 2010 hunger advocacy brochure (4).pdf	Event Registration Brochure	284 Kb
April_Advocacy_flyer_amended1.pdf	Advocacy Event Flyer	232 Kb

United Methodist Women at First United Methodist Church are spending 2009 exploring ways to reduce hunger in our community. As the current recession sent Oregon's unemployment rate beyond 12%, we learned that the Marion Polk Food Share and partner agencies were being called upon to provide food boxes for 6,500 families each month, an all time record. This was 631 more families needing assistance than the previous year in our area alone.
While looking at the needs in the mid Willamette Valley, we also realized that many who rely on food boxes would be doing without much of the fresh food that most of us enjoy during the summer.

“Grow a Row“ was introduced. We kicked off the project with a workshop lead by master gardener Mardean King in early March. This included a conversation about issues related to hunger locally, followed by information on produce appropriate for our climate and the needs of the food distribution centers. She also offered examples of gardening with large plots of land, small beds or just patio containers. Mardean then got everyone inspired by sharing photos of her own gardens and offering seeds and small plants for group members to take home.

By Angela Yeager, OSU News and Communications | Posted: Tuesday, October 27, 2009 8:50 am

A new study by Oregon State University researchers shows that those in poverty in rural Oregon often know what kinds of foods they should be eating, but face tough choices between eating well and spending less money for meals.