Justice and Witness Team

Justice & Witness Tm. – Feb. 19, 2012

Justice and Witness Team – February 19, 2012  Notes

After a very wide ranging and thoughtful discussion, the Justice and Witness Team feels that it needs further informational training from our Association regarding the work of Justice and Witness across our congregation polity.  While we understand the commission to all followers of Christ stated in Micah to ‘….do justice and walk humbly with your God….’,  we struggle to put this into action within our own congregation without becoming politicizing.  To this end we have asked Pastor Mariah to send an outreach letter to the Reverend Kelly Burd at the Association seeking her input and training for our team.  Pastor Mariah’s letter follows :

I am writing to you with a question for your consideration. Last year, our congregation went through a process of re-structuring, and we began a new Justice Leadership Team. This Team has attracted exciting support and commitment from a number of people, however, we are also experiencing struggle. Our congregation holds such great diversity—theologically, economically, and politically. We are having difficulty learning how to speak about justice, without sounding like we are taking a side on a political issue. The Justice Leadership Team does not want to engage in political activism. At our church, you will find an undercurrent of anxiety when the word “justice” is uttered. Here you will also find a growing interest in mission and justice work.

With this background, I am wondering whether you think the Justice LED program might be appropriate for our church? Would you or someone with whom you work be interested in coming to meet with our group? Please know that we would be grateful for any guidance you could offer.

Justice & Witness Team Update May 2011

 The Justice and Witness Leadership Team met on Sunday May 22. A great group of critical thinkers! We discussed our role in the church and decision making methods. We think our mission might become one that is defined by Ephesians 4 (copied below – but especially 4:15 speaking truth with love). We are currently considering addressing Senate Bill 5 (as it is a community issue) and Mission 1: 11-11-11 (an issue of justice that transcends place).  We are going to meet again on June 22 at 7pm at the church to begin addressing SB5.