Participate: #Give828
As part of the PCUSA-sponsored Week of Action (Aug. 24-30) , the denomination will be joining #Give828, a national day of giving focused specifically on supporting Black-benefitting organizations. #Give828 isn’t like other fundraising campaigns. This day takes place during Black Philanthropy Month and commemorates multiple important historical landmarks in Black Americans’ march toward freedom. The Anti-Racism Leadership Group encourages members of the Western community to stand in solidarity with Black Americans on August 28 by donating to Black-benefitting organizations.
A Word from Laura: Voting-A Sacred Right
As we get ready to celebrate the hundredth anniversary of women’s suffrage, I think of my Tennessee grandmother. She remembered August 18, 1920 with pride, when her state became the thirty-sixth to ratify women’s voting, thus establishing the nineteenth amendment to the Constitution, making it the “law of the land,” to use her language. Nanny told us the story of the day because she didn’t want us to take voting for granted. She wanted her granddaughters to remember the sacrifices made by many so that we could exercise our right. Her reminders are a big part of why I get myself to the poll, almost like it’s my religion.
Postcard Training for Reclaim the Vote Campaign: August 16 after worship
Western’s Mission Ministry Team is sponsoring training, Sunday, August 16 after worship, by Reclaim Our Vote Campaign on how to write postcards to contact voters of color in key voter suppression states. These postcards ask voters to check their registration status, re-register and vote. This is a critical time for this work as states are now completing the purge of their registration rolls and the opportunity to re-register is now.
A Word from Laura: We Were Made for This
The meme floated across my screen recently, probably church-related, but I don’t know the reference of “this.”
I’m discovering that “this” time and place is just what faith was made for.
If you’re reading this email, you’re on our church’s list. And if you’re on our church’s list, it means I’ve been praying for you this past week:
• Praying for your health
• Praying for your emotional well-being, particularly if you are caring for those who are sick or worried about what you’ll do for your children’s schooling this fall
• Praying for your safety in the storm
• Praying that your heart may be open in new ways to the work of anti-racism
• Praying that you might discover God’s call to you to work for justice in these challenging times
• Praying for what you’ve been carrying on your heart, that I couldn’t possibly imagine
Watch Party, Sunday, August 9 — Suppressed: The Fight to Vote
Western’s Mission Ministry Team is sponsoring a watch party for the film, Suppressed: The Fight To Vote immediately after church. This short 38 minute film powerfully shows how voter suppression tactics can effect elections on the ground. The film exposes rampant voter suppression that affected the outcome of the 2018 midterm election in Georgia and is a cautionary tale for 2020. The close vote in the GA Governor’s race between Brian Kemp and Stacey Abrams was national story at the time.
Discover the Washington Inter-faith Network (WIN)
As Western’s leadership considers partnering with organizations working to change policies that engender systemic racism in our communities, I’ve encouraged our Mission Ministry Team to consider the Washington Inter-Faith Network (WIN). As part of the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF), WIN is a broad-based, multi-racial, multi-faith, strictly non-partisan, District-wide citizens’ power organization, rooted in local congregations and associations. WIN is committed to training and developing neighborhood leaders, to addressing community issues, and to holding elected and corporate officials accountable in Washington, DC.
From my vantage point as pastor, WIN does thorough training of faith leaders to hold elected officials accountable. When I think of the District leaders of faith communities who are out in front leading justice, I’m never surprised to find out they are members of WIN. I’m interested in deepening my own connection and involvement, but not without the commitment and support of a larger group of Westerners.