| | | | | | | | | | NCC Impact Week—Journey to Jubilee Reparative Justice
Bible Study Begins June 13 | | The Journey to Jubilee six-week Reparative Justice Bible Study will launch Tuesday, June 13, 2023, as part of NCC's Impact Week and will continue every Tuesday thereafter at 7 p.m. EDT virtually on NCC’s YouTube Channel. Harvard Kennedy School’s Partnership with the National Council of Churches produced this effective resource to aid congregations in learning about reparative justice.
Download the Toolkit Here. | | | | | | | | | | | | NCC IMPACT WEEK—National Council of Churches Announces Juneteenth Reparations March | | The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA will join faith leaders, students, and activists for the Justice on Juneteenth March in Washington, DC on June 19, 2023, to Protect Democracy, end gun violence, and advocate for reparations. The Justice on Juneteenth March is a continuation of the National Council of Churches Journey to Jubilee Campaign to encourage President Biden to issue an Executive Order to establish a Commission to Study Reparations. “Reparations is the gateway to racial equity and a true multiracial democracy in America,” said Bishop Vashti M. McKenzie, President and General Secretary, National Council of Churches USA, “We are gathering in Washington, DC on this historic holiday to encourage President Biden to issue an Executive Order on Reparations since Congress refuses to act.” The March will gather at 10:00 a.m. at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C. Participants are encouraged to register here to attend the march. | | | NCC Commends SCOTUS Ruling on Allen v. Milligan, Reissues Call for Passage of Voting Rights Legislation
On Wednesday, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its decision on Allen v. Milligan, upholding a lower court’s ruling striking down Alabama’s new congressional map. The controversial redistricting plan includes only one majority-Black congressional district, even though Black Alabamians comprise 27 percent of the state’s population. In a 5-4 vote, the court ruled that the congressional map violated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which prohibits the denial or disenfranchisement of the right to vote based on race or color. In 1963, the General Assembly of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA adopted a Human Rights Policy Statement recognizing the right to vote as a basic human right. Last year, NCC issued a statement, Voting Rights Are Human Rights, calling for the passage of historic voting rights legislation. The NCC remains a staunch advocate for protecting the right to vote for all Americans, especially Black Americans, who have been systematically disenfranchised for more than 200 years. We commend the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Allen v. Milligan. Yet, we are acutely aware that without legislation that builds on the legacy of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and strengthens voting rights protections, our democracy will continue to be at risk. NCC reissues a clarion call to Congress to pass the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act, which expands voter registration and voting access, strengthens election integrity and security, outlines criteria for congressional redistricting, improves campaign finance, and safeguards voting rights.
For news stories and perspectives on the ruling, click here. Representative David Scott Makes a Moral Case for SNAP This week, the House Agriculture Committee held a full committee hearing titled, “Innovation, Employment, Integrity, and Health: Opportunities for Modernization in Title IV.” Ranking Member, Representative David Scott (D-GA), offered a moving opening statement in support of protecting food security in the upcoming farm reauthorization bill. During his remarks, Rep. Scott provided recommendations on how Congress could support the 42 million Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants through improved access to the program, employment readiness and retention through education, transportation, and childcare, and EBT theft protection. After highlighting the many economic benefits of SNAP to participants, businesses, and U.S. agriculture, Rep. Scott presented a moral argument saying, “As a Christian, feeding the hungry is mentioned many times in the Bible. Mathew 25:35; Isaiah 58:10; James 2:14-18; Proverbs 28:27…I can go on! First John 3:17-18; Luke 3:11; Proverbs 31:20; Proverbs 22:9; Proverbs 19:17; Matthew 14:15-21. I’ll stop there, not because that is all of them, but because I couldn’t even list each instance in the five minutes I have for an opening statement.” He closed by saying, “I will stand firm against taking food away from families and children. I will fight against efforts to take away the right and dignity to choose what foods a family can purchase with SNAP benefits. I hope that we can come together to craft a bipartisan nutrition title that keeps food on the tables of Americans in need and supports our nation’s farmers.” NCC applauds Rep. Scott for publicly sharing how his faith informs the work he does in Congress on behalf of millions of food insecure Americans. NCC is a strong supporter of the SNAP program. We will continue to monitor the farm bill reauthorization and advocate for food and nutrition programs. | | | Policy Alert: News from the Policy Roundtable |
| Center for Budget and Policy Priorities Issues
Report on Child Tax Credit Ellen Nissenbaum, Senior Vice President for Government Affairs for the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, announced the release of a new report on the importance of expanding the Child Tax Credit in the upcoming economic legislation. The report includes state-by-state estimates on the number of children under age 17 who are left out of the full credit, broken down by race and ethnicity. When the temporary Child Tax Credit expansion under the American Rescue Plan expired at the end of 2021, the credit reverted to the flawed design left in place by the 2017 Trump tax law. As a result, an estimated 19 million children—more than 1 in 4 children under age 17—will receive less than the full Child Tax Credit or no credit this year because their families earn too little, while families with much higher incomes (up to $400,000 for married couples) will receive the full $2,000 credit for each child. Republicans on the House Ways and Means Committee are reportedly preparing tax legislation, and expanding the credit for these children should be the top priority in the bill. Congress should ensure that a robust expansion that would help children in families with low incomes meet their basic needs comes before corporate tax breaks that House Republicans are likely to propose. For the full report, click here. | | | Faith-Based Security Advisory Council Holds Public Meeting | | | |
Washington, D.C.—This week, NCC Chief Operating Officer Rev. Dr. Leslie Copeland-Tune participated in the Faith-Based Security Advisory Council’s (FBSAC) public meeting convened by Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. At the meeting, Dr. Copeland-Tune briefed the FBSAC on the work of one of the subcommittees with the Secretary and Deputy Secretary John Tien. The work of the subcommittees was deliberated by the full committee and unanimously adopted. Dr. Copeland-Tune was appointed to the FBSAC in September 2022, when Secretary Mayorkas reconstituted the advisory group. At the meeting, held on Tuesday, June 6, Secretary Mayorkas and Deputy Secretary Tien emphasized the Department’s commitment to better support for faith communities across the country in matters of security and preparedness. FBSAC members presented their recommendations to the Council on how DHS can improve information sharing, increase access to DHS grants and resources, and build trust and partnerships with faith-based organizations, leaders, and communities. “Faith-based institutions are pillars of our communities. They are vital partners in every aspect of the Department’s mission,” said Secretary Mayorkas. “I was proud to convene this important group to discuss opportunities for the Department to strengthen our daily work with communities of faith and the public at large. We are grateful for the recommendations the Council offered and for its members’ continued service to our country. I look forward to continuing to work together to ensure a safe, secure, and resilient America for all.”
During the meeting, three FBSAC subcommittees presented their draft reports to the Council on several taskings: The Information Sharing Subcommittee provided recommendations on how the Department can better help places of worship, faith communities, and faith-based organizations enhance their security and preparedness. For example, one recommendation is to prioritize better outreach and information flow to faith-based organizations through technology solutions. The Grants and Resources Subcommittee provided recommendations on how the Department can address challenges that faith-based organizations encounter when applying for DHS grants. For example, one recommendation is to expand resource accessibility through increased translation services, networks, and outreach. The Building Trust and Partnerships Subcommittee provided recommendations on how the Department can build trust with faith community stakeholders and empower local leaders to more effectively use DHS resources. For example, one recommendation is to create an online portal to improve DHS’s data sharing with faith communities and increase transparency.
After the council formally submits the reports to the secretary, the department will review the reports and determine an implementation plan. In September 2022, Secretary Mayorkas announced the appointment of 25 members to the reinvigorated Faith-Based Security Advisory Council. The Council’s membership, with representatives from the Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, and Sikh communities, as well as law enforcement, reflects President Biden and Secretary Mayorkas’ priorities on diversity, equity, and inclusion, and ensures a wide range of diverse voices across various faith traditions. Council members advise the Secretary on security and preparedness matters related to places of worship, faith communities, and faith-based organizations across all aspects of the DHS mission. The Council met virtually for its first convening on October 6, 2022, and again on November 29, 2022, during which they were tasked by Secretary Mayorkas with forming the three subcommittees that presented their findings this week. | | President Biden Awards Funding for Jackson Water Crisis | | A Jackson, MS resident pours bleach and soap into the water before washing dishes in response to the water crisis. | “For years, the people of Jackson, Mississippi, have suffered the consequences of aging water infrastructure,” said President Biden in a statement released to theGrio. President Joe Biden is awarding $115 million to support needed investments to rebuild Jackson, Mississippi’s water infrastructure, according to theGrio online media network. The federal dollars are part of $600 million in appropriations funding approved by Congress last year. Jackson, a majority-Black city of nearly 150,000 residents, is rebuilding after its water system nearly collapsed last summer due to major flooding and years of infrastructure neglect. Residents of Mississippi’s capital city were left without clean and safe drinking water for days during its initial failure in August 2022 and have continued to face disruptions. The federal government has stepped in to assist the state with emergency support and technical assistance. Most recently, a federal court ruled in favor of the U.S. Department of Justice to install a third-party outside manager as part of an agreement between the city and the Mississippi State Department of Health as federal, state, and local parties work together on a path forward to improve a decades-old problem in one of the country’s poorest cities. For the complete story, click here. | | Religions for Peace Sponsors Webinar on
Rise of Hindu Nationalism in US | | Tuesday, June 27, 2023 • 2 PM to 3 PM ET Zoom registration is required but complimentary. Religions for Peace (RFP) USA is the largest and most broadly-based representative multi-religious forum in the United States, with participants from more than 50 religious communities, representing each of the major faith traditions. | | Episcopal Church Sponsors "It's All About Love: A Festival for the Jesus Movement" | Join the Episcopal Church for “It’s All About Love,” a churchwide festival of worship, learning, community, and action for the Episcopal branch of the Jesus Movement, to be held Sunday, July 9 through Wednesday, July 12, at the Baltimore Convention Center. Register here. “It’s All About Love” is organized around three Jesus Movement festival “tents”: Evangelism, Racial Reconciliation, and Creation Care. Get ready for evening revival worship and daytime speakers, workshops, panels, and practice opportunities around the big tent themes. Stick with one tent or explore across the tents, following the themes of worship and liturgy, formation, justice and advocacy, leadership, preaching, stewardship, and youth and children. Featured speakers, preachers, and artists to include Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, President of the House of Deputies Julia Ayala Harris, Brian McLaren, the Rev. Mariama White-Hammon, Dr. Kwok Pui-lan, Sarah Augustine, Lilly Lewin, Dr. Catherine Meeks, the Very Rev. Canon Kelly Brown Douglas, the Rev. Winnie Varghese, Live Hymnal & Friends, and more! Lodging: Discounted room blocks have been reserved for participants near the Baltimore Convention Center | | UCC Leaders Call on Georgia Officials
to Halt Prosecution of Atlanta Activists | | The United Church of Christ Southeast Conference and national church leaders have issued a letter to the Attorney General of Georgia and others decrying the recent arrest of three Atlanta bail fund organizers for protesters trying to stop the construction of a multi-million dollar police training center that has been called “Cop City.” “To arrest and prosecute activists raising bail funds is a brazen attempt to stifle the voices of those opposing current government actions and is a prime example of state repression,” the statement reads. The UCC a news article about UCC efforts, along with the letter, can be found here. | | Friendship Press Releases Classic Titles | | Shop the Friendship Press Sale and Take an Extra 20% Off with code fp2023 | | | The Racial Healing of America Revival and Bus Tour | | The ACU Carl Spain Center on Race Studies and Spiritual Action invites everyone to join them for the Racial Healing of America Revival and Bus Tour, July 9–17, 2023. The Racial Healing of America Revival and Bus Tour will serve as one form of direct spiritual action. It will publicly demonstrate that we are against violence and racial division by visually demonstrating that we are for racial healing. The Bus Tour will bring together people of faith and goodwill from various ethnic backgrounds to publicly promote racial healing and biblical justice, and to advance social peace across America. The revival and bus tour will start in Dallas (TX), with stops in Memphis (TN), Birmingham (AL), Charleston (SC), and ending in Washington (DC). The revival services will include featured speakers and congregational singing in each city. Tour participants will visit the International African American Museum in Charleston and the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington. Click here for event information and registration. | | Register for March on Washington 60th Anniversary Event | | Rev. Al Sharpton, Founder and President of National Action Network; Arndrea Waters King, President, Drum Major Institute; and Martin Luther King, III, Chairman, Drum Major Institute enlist your participation in the 60th Anniversary of the March on Washington to be held August 26, 2023, in Washington, DC to mobilize the faith community across America, for "March on Washington Not a Commemoration, a Continuation!"
Please use the link to register for the march and to confirm your participation and that of your congregation, peers, and colleagues. The link has information you can use to share with your contacts.
| | | The Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations
Hiring Domestic Policy Advisor | Represents The Episcopal Church’s public policy positions to Congressional offices, U.S. government departments and agencies, and the broader policy community in Washington. Builds and maintains relationships with government officials to further the policy goals of The Episcopal Church. Serves as a resource for OGR and Episcopalians on a wide range of U.S. public policy issues, including developing a deep understanding of U.S. political context, and detailed knowledge of legislative and policy initiatives. Maintains flexibility to respond to emerging and priority needs and to develop new areas of legislative and policy expertise. Interfaith Alliance Seeks Policy and Advocacy Associate Interfaith Alliance is hiring a policy and advocacy associate to support our federal and state policy initiatives focused on religious freedom, fighting discrimination, and protecting democracy. The position description is attached and on the Interfaith Alliance website. | |
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