Presby Voices for Justice

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9/3/2010 Greetings for Labor Day!

Recipe for Slavery: Take US farm labor relations, add "guestworker" visas, and voila... Forced labor!

Federal prosecutors in Honolulu unseal indictment charging forced labor ring active in 13 states including – yet again – Florida;

Multi-state operation involves guestworker recruiting giant Global Horizons in what prosecutors are calling "the largest human trafficking case in US history"...

Labor Day weekend will be celebrated with a little more meaning this year by 400 farmworkers from around the country whose bosses were charged yesterday by Justice Department officials in Hawaii with "conspiracy to commit human trafficking."

The image above is from an excellent video by Honolulu's KITV on the news of yesterday's indictment. You can watch the video by clicking here.

Six people in the US were charged in the case, including four employees of Global Horizons Manpower, Inc, a labor recruiting company that specializes in the overseas recruitment of "guestworkers," foreign workers brought to the US to work in agriculture under an H2A visa for temporary employment in agriculture...

For more on this story, go to the CIW website today, http://www.ciw-online.org

An excellent video by Honolulu's KITV, on the news of yesterday's indictment, can be viewed by clicking here.

Thanks, and happy Labor Day!

Coalition of Immokalee Workers

For more on labor justice issues >>

9/2/2010

Celebrating the Youth Triennium – and a call to look ahead

by the Rev. Sue Trigger, co-pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Rockaway, N.J.

It had been a while since I’ve been to the Presbyterian Youth Triennium, so I decided this was the year to round up a Presbytery delegation and head to Indiana. This was my fourth Triennium experience. It was at Triennium that I answered the call to ministry; and it was at Triennium 15 years later that I felt a powerful reaffirmation of that call.

There were many things about this Triennium that were fantastic: 5010 participants from all 50 states, a well organized event, great worship planning and keynote speakers, and more. It is far more than a great conference; it is an event that helps shape lives. It is an event that helps people encounter Christ in a bold, powerful way through Bible study, reflection, and a call to consider how God is working in their lives. It is able to reach people with an impact that few, if any, of our congregations are able to do. For the rest of this report >>

PVJ elects officers, introduces our new members of Coordinating Team

Presbyterian Voices for Justice held our biennial membership meeting right after our Awards Luncheon at General Assembly. Click here for a list of the current Coordinating Team members, and click here for brief introductions of the new ones.

Fellowship of Reconciliation invites people to speak out in support of genuine peace in Iraq.

We have received a letter sent out by the Fellowship of Reconciliation, responding to the President's address on the US troop reduction in Iraq, encouraging people who care about peace and justice to express their concern for the continuing US presence there. We think you may be interested in joining in.

Click here for the full text of the letter.

The War in Iraq: At What Cost?

Jim Wallis, pastor and “Christian leader for social change,” reflects on the same concern for Huffington Post. He confesses to hearing Obama’s Oval Office speech with great sadness at the high costs that have been paid by so many. And looking toward the near future he adds:

I watched the arguments on the talk shows about the continuing political instability in Iraq, the lack of a functioning government six months after an election, the deep worries about continuing ethnic division and conflict. The president said it was up to the Iraqis now. The truth is that it always was up to the people – both in Iraq and Afghanistan – and the mistake of "empire" is the belief than endless war and occupation can change those political realities. Leading by example would have been better, offering a whole array of non-military help to Iraq and now Afghanistan would have been more effective – and so much less costly.

For Wallis’ full essay >>

Immokalee Workers reaches fair food agreement with food service provider Sodexo

This good news comes to us from the Rev. Noelle Damico, of the Campaign for Fair Food, PC(USA) [9-2-10]

The Coalition of Immokalee Workers has forged a fair food agreement with food service provider Sodexo! Sodexo services a number of Presbyterian-affiliated colleges and is the ninth food retailer to sign an agreement with the CIW. Now the three largest food service providers in the nation (Compass, Aramark, Sodexo) are working together with the CIW and willing growers to improve wages and conditions

for Florida farmworkers. Read the agreement in full.

This coming Sunday is a perfect time to celebrate the CIW’s recent agreement and to insist that supermarket leaders also do their part. The Presbyterian Church

celebrates the Sunday before Labor Day as Vocation Sunday. It’s a time to reflect upon how each of us is responding to God’s call and upon the church at work in the world.

+ Use the prayer resources for this Sunday

+ Drop off a manager’s letter to your local supermarket when you shop, encouraging the company to work with the CIW to end farmworker exploitation in the tomato fields. [There are letters for Kroger, Publix, and Ahold as well as a general

manager’s letter]

We move forward celebrating God’s pledge to bring about a world of joy and justice as we remember and proclaim with the prophet Isaiah, “they shall not labor in vain!”

Peace,

PC(USA) Campaign for Fair Food

The Rev. Noelle Damico

Campaign for Fair Food

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

noelle.damico@pcusa.org

www.pcusa.org/fairfood

Christian leaders praise Obama's Middle East peace talks

PC(USA)'s Parsons joins Churches for Middle East Peace in statement

Jerry L. Van Marter of Presbyterian News Service reports:

LOUISVILLE — The Rev. Gradye Parsons, General Assembly stated clerk for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), has joined nearly 30 other U.S. Christian leaders in welcoming the direct peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians being held this week in Washington.

In a letter to President Obama, the group — brought together by Churches for Middle East Peace, also noted the need for sustained U.S. cooperation with both parties if an agreement is to be reached and said the direct talks, backed by the U.S., provide a unique opportunity to resolve key issues that have been persistent barriers to peace.

"We are grateful for President Obama's tireless efforts for this hope," said Parsons. "The Presbyterian Church hopes that the talks will bring lasting peace for Israel and Palestine."

More – including the full text of the letter to the President >>

8/31/2010

A little letter from your editor/WebWeaver

We're inviting you to join us in raising your voice for justice -- in the PC(USA) and in our world? Please take a quick look at the editor's column being published in the forthcoming issue of PVJ's Network News, and consider whether you might take over one of the hats I wear: editing Network News, or managing this website, or caring for our membership database and correspondence. Or all of the above!

More on the case of the Rev. Janie Spahr:

Presbyterian News Service has issued its new report on the verdict by the Permanent Judicial Commission of the Presbytery of the Redwoods, finding the Rev. Jane Spahr guilty on 3 of the 4 charges against her, arising from her role in officiating at a number of same-sex marriages during the period when they were legal in California.

Among other points, the news story says:

The PJC's vote on the three charges was 4-2 and it acquitted Spahr on a fourth charge of failing to "further the peace, unity and purity of the church."

Instead, the court said "We commend Dr. Spahr for helping us realize that peace without justice is no peace."

The PJC voted to verbally rebuke Spahr, the lightest of five possible punishments listed in the constitution, and to instruct her to "...avoid such offenses in the future." It then stayed the rebuke and injunction in case of an appeal.

The full news story >>

Another short note from the 219^th General Assembly:

Visiting with the YAADs (Young Adult Advisory Delegates)

They get it!

Sylvia Thorson-Smith, PVJ Issues Analyst, met with the Young Adult Advisory Delegates during the Assembly. She reports on the very enthusiastic response she received from them, especially when she talked about PVJ's "agenda" for justice and peace.

8/30/2010

Voices for Justice offers our summary report on the actions of the 219^th General Assembly

Also: PVJ coordinating team members offer their observations on the Assembly

For our earlier reports of PVJ events at the Assembly:

	The PVJ Awards luncheon
	The PVJ / Voices of Sophia breakfast

More on the case of the Rev. Jane Spahr:

The Redwoods PJC could have done better

Arnold Rots comments on the basis of his own experience as a member and clerk of the PJC of the Presbytery of Boston.

8/27/2010

Redwoods Presbytery PJC finds the Rev. Jane Spahr guilty of 3 charges against her, rejects the fourth.

The Permanent Judicial Commission (PJC) of Redwoods Presbytery ruled that three of the four charges against Rev. Jane Spahr, for officiating at a service of marriage for two women, have been sustained and the fourth not sustained.

John Shuck has posted a good report, with a sharp commentary, on his blog, shuckandjive

From a local newspaper:

The Marin Independent Journal begins its report on the trial:

Though clearly regretful, a local division of the Presbyterian Church USA decided Friday to rebuke a former San Rafael minister who performed wedding ceremonies for at least 16 same-sex couples during the five months in 2008 when it was legal to do so. More >>

Added on Saturday, August 28

A decision given with regret

It's very important to note the rationale stated by the Permanent Judicial Commission in their decision in the Spahr case. Essentially, they say Jane Spahr was doing the right thing, even though, tragically, it is still against the rules of the PC(USA). Here's part of what they said:

The Permanent Judicial Commission, in sustaining the first three charges, recognizes that while the Rev. Dr. Jane Spahr has indeed performed these marriages, which were and continue to be legal marriages, she did so acting with faithful compassion in accord with W7.3004.

These marriages were legal in the State of California, being civil contracts (W4.9001), and are different from same sex ceremonies. The testimonies of those at court clearly demonstrated this difference.

We commend Dr. Spahr and give thanks for her prophetic ministry that for 35 years has extended support to “people who seek the dignity, freedom and respect that they have been denied” (W7.4002c), and has sought to redress “wrongs against individuals, groups, and peoples in the church, in this nation, and in the world” (W7.4002h).

In addition, we call upon the church to reexamine our own fear and ignorance that continues to reject the inclusiveness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (G3.0401c)

For the full text of the decision >>

SOCIAL GOSPEL THEOLOGY
July 26-August 1, 2010

a report on a Ghost Ranch Seminar, by Jane Hanna (who put this event together, saith the WebWeaver)

Again this summer Presbyterian Voices for Justice and Presbyterian Peace Fellowship joined in co-sponsoring a seminar at Ghost Ranch, “We’re All in this Together: Confronting the Structures of Injustice.” The inspiration for the seminar was a guidebook for social action, To Do Justice: A Guide for Progressive Christians, edited by Rebecca Todd Peters and Elizabeth Hinson-Hasty. Ethicists from across mainline denominations contributed essays connecting their faith to the most urgent public issues of our time. Three of them, notable educators, became our leaders for 2010.

Dr. Grace Kao is an Associate Professor of Ethics at Claremont School of Theology; Dr. Elizabeth Hinson-Hasty an Associate Professor of Theology at Bellarmine University in Louisville, and Dr. Gary Dorrien is the Reinhold Niebuhr Professor of Social Ethics at Union Theological Seminary and Professor of Religion at Columbia University. They provided a wealth of information and tools for addressing justice and peace concerns. More >>

Network News is here

The Summer 2010 issue of the PVJ newsletter is at the printers, but already it's here online in PDF format for you to read. Or to print out for yourself. It will bring you:

Reports from General Assembly

A letter from the Editor -- page 2

The PVJ Awards Luncheon -- 3

Voices of Sophia Breakfast -- 7

Assembly Actions -- 9 - 22

	Moderator election -- 10
	Israel/Palestine and Middle East -- 10
	Peacemaking and international issues -- 12
	Ordination standards -- 13
	Civil unions and marriage -- 15
	Internal church issues -- 17
	Issues of faith -- 19
	Social justice -- 20
	Health issues -- 22

Two hope-filled encounters with youth and young adults -- 23

Comments on the Assembly -- 25

Network News is posted here in PDF format, both high-resolution (which looks better, but may take longer to download) and lower-resolution (faster to download).

Click here for the speedy version.
Or click here for the better-looking one.

For an index to our posts from the 219th General Assembly

For our posts from earlier in August

July, 2010
June, 2010
May, 2010
April, 2010
March, 2010
February, 2010
January, 2010

Some of the most important recent posts are still shown below.

For links to earlier archive pages, click here.

Chronology of a Bizarre Controversy – Hurt Feelings and the “ground Zero Mosque” [8-24-10]

This article, by Gary Leupp, describes the chronology of events surrounding the project aiming to build an Islamic center in the vicinity of "Ground Zero."

I found it is especially interesting because it shows how a local, modest, and initially uncontroversial project could become a major tool for pushing islamophobia once sufficiently unprincipled shakers and movers got hold of it. The scary part, of course, isn't that some opportunistic nitwits would try to make hay of such a project, but the fact that they've been having such enormous success.

Racheli Gai, Jewish Peace News

More on the current wave of "Islamophobia"

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance seeks aid for Pakistan flood victims

They’re seeking dry ground. Let’s help them find hope.

News release dated August 20, 2010 [8-24-10]

The people of Pakistan have suffered numerous natural and human-caused disasters over the past several years. Presbyterians have been in ministry there since before the nation of Pakistan was formed. We stand with them today in their time of need. The recent floods have brought record-breaking destruction to the country, with more than 1,400 people dead and more than 1.5 million displaced. You can make a difference in bringing God’s healing to a nation torn by devastation.

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is responding through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) and working with our ecumenical partners to help meet emergency needs – providing food packages, shelter material, and non-food essentials. Emergency health services are also being provided.

How Can We Respond? Click here for the latest information, and links for giving.

Tell your friends about Presbyterian Voices for Justice --
and invite them to join us!

Our new brochure is available here in PDF format, so you can print copies to share with others -- in your congregation, your presbytery, wherever you go!

Or if you'd like a stack of them to share with others, just contact Doug King, our communications coordinator. Just be sure to include your name, mailing address, and the quantity you need. Send an E-mail, or phone 608-782-5275. [8-20-10]

Waiting on the World to Change [8-20-10]

Here's a quick Youtube slide show of some very funny signs from LGBT folks, sometimes standing (oh, so rudely!) in front of very religious folks with "God hates fags" sorts of signs.

The first, held high by a young woman, says "I didn't ask her to 'civil union' me!"

Thanks to John Shuck, and his Shuckandjive blog-page.

Voices of Sophia
and Voices of Women

We've just posted a short account of the beginnings and witness of Voices of Sophia, now a vital part of Presbyterian Voices for Justice.

It was written by Sylvia Thorson-Smith for the Peacemaking Issue of The Journal of Sacred Feminine Wisdom, Fall, 1996.

We're happy to share it here, both in easy-to-print PDF format, and in easy-to-open HTML.

We'd be very happy
to hear your comments,
or additions or corrections!
Just send us a note!

[8-19-10]

Another remembrance of Howard Rice [8-17-10]

The Rev. Howard Leland Rice, former moderator of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) General Assembly and San Francisco Theological Seminary chaplain and professor of ministry from 1968-97, died Aug. 8 in Claremont, Calif., at the age of 78. He was one of the earliest practitioners of spiritual disciplines and formation that led to the current renewal of those practices in the church. More >>

This remembrance of Howard Rice comes from Sylvia Thorson-Smith, a member of the Coordinating Team of Presbyterian Voices for Justice:

The images I have of the Rev. Dr. Howard Rice will be etched forever in my memory.

Howard was one of a only a few former Moderators of the PCUSA who publicly endorsed the 1991 report on human sexuality that was rejected amid a flurry of conflict and criticism. As a leader in many church arenas, he spoke passionately and prophetically for sexual and gender justice. Howard rejected the either-or polarity between spirituality and social justice. Seeing LGBT persons as beloved children of God and advocating their equal rights in church and society were, for him, integral responses to gospel faith and discipleship.

As a liaison from the GA Task Force on Human Sexuality to the GA Task Force on Abortion (1990-91), I saw the care and skill with which Howard moderated an intense study of one of the most conflicted issues of our time. Amazingly, that Task Force produced a report which is in large part consensual – a report that has been sustained as Presbyterian policy for almost two decades. Throughout the ’90s, Howard repeatedly testified before GA committees who had to struggle with challenges to that policy. When he could no longer attend General Assembly, his strong voice continued to resonate through written testimony that was read to committees.

Many others have memories of Howard as their professor, mentor, pastor, counselor, friend, and scholarly guide. My memories are focused on his active leadership in moving the Presbyterian Church toward a more authentic witness of the biblical mandate: to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God.

Howard Rice was a truth-teller and wisdom-seeker of the rarest kind. Thanks Be for his justice-loving life among us!

Bread for the World Sunday, October 17
[8-17-10]

This fall, thousands of churches and faith communities will renew their commitment to end hunger by celebrating Bread for the World Sunday. Encourage your church to take part on October 17 or another Sunday in the fall.

FREE resources to help your church participate in Bread for the World Sunday are now available to order or download:

	Scripture Study on Luke 18:1-8, written by The Rev. Dr. Sharon E. Watkins, president of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
	Special Litany prepared by Father Ron Rolheiser, president of the Oblate School of Theology
	Bulletin Inserts
	Offering Envelopes

Spanish-language versions as well as additional resources from a variety of Christian traditions are also available to download from our website.

Bread for the World Sunday is a great opportunity for members of your congregation to make a difference in the lives of hungry people. Moved by God’s grace in Jesus Christ, we can end hunger.

With hope,

David Beckmann
President, Bread for the World

Let’s find good people to help shape the future of the PC(USA)!
[7-29-10]

The 219th General Assembly (2010) in Minneapolis created a Commission on Middle Governing Bodies, made up of 21 persons appointed by the moderators of the 219th and 218th Assemblies (with at least one each from the 16 synods). The commission was approved as amended by a 566-104-4 margin. The deadline for the application for consideration is no later than September 1 and the first meeting is scheduled November 4-6, 2010. The commission has 7 specific powers and foci outlined by the assembly. Reporting back to the 220th General Assembly (2012), the commission has the powers "to organize" new synods and presbyteries and "to divide, unite or otherwise combine" synods, presbyteries or portions there of according to G-13.0103m and n. The impact of this work will be fundamental to the structure of the Presbyterian Church (USA). It is imperative that we recruit fine people to serve. Please help us call the right folks to service.

Click here for the application form for membership on the Special Commission on Middle Governing Bodies.

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219th General Assembly

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June 2010
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April, 2010
March, 2010
February, 2010
January, 2010
December, 2009
November, 2009
October, 2009
September, 2009
August, 2009
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This page was last edited on 09/03/10