two questions: what denomination are you

and is your local church actiive in peace and social justice issues?

I go to a UCC church, and there is a Peace and Justice committee that I am on which has just started meeting again since the election.

Our congregation is approximately 30% Mexican-American immigrants or first-generation. We operate a food bank, clothing bank, pre-school and after-school programs, a soup kitchen, youth-sports program, a cash-grant program, a battered-women's shelter, a transitional 'worker's' housing program for 12 singles and 2 families, etc... We also sent over 100 to the anti-war protests in February 2003 in Chicago, and over 100 to our local anti-war march in Champaign last week.

:)

:toast: That's awesome!

:toast:

I used to work in Champaign. I was Disciple then, but had friends at St. Mary's. Very cool parish.

But I'm actively looking for a progressive denomination to park myself in. Not enough churches have such a commitment to peace and social justice. They're (especially the mega-churches) more concerned with war and stuffing more money in their own pockets.

We support financially ESM (Episcopal Social Ministry). We have trouble volunteering for these programs, but we try to support them. But no social justice committee. We are a small church under 200 people.

We're a large downtown church, and we have outreach programs that provide meals for low-income and homeless people, another program for street youth, a "clothes closet" for women who are transitioning from welfare to work, a mentoring program for teen parents, Scouting programs for children in Minneapolis' large Somali community, Habitat for Humanity, "sister parish" and exchange relationships with churches in Cuba and South Africa, and membership in the Cross of Nails, an international organization dedicated to peace and reconciliation of all types, headquartered at Coventry Cathedral in England. (After Coventry Cathedral was destroyed in World War II, they financed the building of its replacement partly by selling crosses made of the nails from the original medieval cathedral.) There's other stuff going on, too, but it's a cathdral parish, so I can't possibly keep track of all of it.

not Christian Science, not the John-Travolta Scientology thing ...

http://www.rsintl.org (see frequently-asked questions).

We take 10% of what the church receives and donate to causes we as a congregation believe in ... such as providing books and useful things to those serving in Afghanistan and Iraq.

We also 'adopt a family for Christmas,' and one for Easter, providing gifts.


We're not too big.

We volunteer at the local food bank on an individual basis.

...and my own parish isn't too active in such issues, not out of a dislike for them, but because we're a mission with only a handful of people who are spending most of their time keeping us afloat. At the moment, our main achievement is in providing a spiritual home to those in this small western Washington farm town who aren't right-wing fundies like the rest of the church-going population! Hopefully, if and when we reach "critical mass" (no pun intended), we'll move into those areas as well.

My grandma's church seems great, she tells us Fr Martin's story of the day and they are generally kinda funny, I think Ive met him once, class act guy.

and the local church is very active in social justice issues. In addition to the standard charity/community outreach work, our reverend is a huge advocate of the GLBT community and marriage equality, and the church has been known to take part in peace protests like the Mar. 19th ones. It's actually after hearing about the church's commitment to such issues that I gave this whole Christianity thing a second look.

have been going to a Methodist church in the last few months. It is so much more open to my political and spiritual beliefs.

and I really don't have a local church, as I am at college, and havent found a local congregation. my home congregation isn't really active in peace/social justice stuff, but they are VERY active in Operation Feed and other poverty-assistence programs

But I am new to the denomination (raised Catholic) and because of life issues have not had enough time to engage more with the outside activities the church does. But last Saturday they had a day of action and people volunteered for different activities for that day... providing brunch for women in transition at the YWCA, stuffing packets for an HIV + support organization, sorting donations at the Salvation Army and few more options. Sounded so great.

I'm reall happy to have found the UU church.

the newspaper.

They really are big into helping the poor and needy, but they are also anti-gay and anti-choice and there is a lot of bible thumping in their missionary work. (However, where choice is concerned, I know that my own pastor at least wants to build a halfway house for pregnant teens so they have a place to go if they would prefer to have the baby.)

and No, not really, because right now we're just struggling to keep our doors open.

But I preach on peace and social justice (as it relates to the lectionary text of the day).

sometime this summer!

But don't go to the door - stop at the threshhold (Algoma). :)

I love our church... It is one of the most friendly, warm, and loving places I have ever worshipped in. My father was a Methodist, but became a Baptist when he married my mother, so we were never raised in it, but visited whenever we went to see my paternal grandmother (she still attended a Methodist church). Was raised Baptist, then parents switched to Non-Denominational, which I felt more comfortable in. When I married, my husband and I agreed that we felt more comfortable in this Methodist church, and joined, and love it! Our Sunday School class is very liberal, full of lawyers (including the mayor of our city, city councilmen!), progressives, etc. :loveya:

So I married a PK. (Boy could I tell you stories) ;-)

Our church is active in missions outside the church: prison ministry, Navajo mission, inner-city mission, battered womens' shelters, etc.

Seems sad.

We have a small congregation, and little money, thus are not as active as we might like. (We have to make some big decisions because our funds will only support us for another year.) We do serve a monthly meal at a homeless shelter, and this summer a group is going to the Dominican Republic to help build a school for Haitian children, who are not allowed to go to the schools there. My pastor always talks about peace and justice in his sermons, and although he doesn't mention it in his sermons, of course, his opinion of shrub is about the same as mine.

What conference are you in?

And yes, my parish is really big on social justice.

:hi:

by listing "volunteering", do you focus on a cause, or just roam the streets, looking for things to voulnteer for :D ;)

I will also be volunteering at our church in the food pantry and as part of the RCIA team. I have lots of time, being a homemaker and all.

When I was there, I was in awe of the priest at St. Mary's. Always willing to stand up for peace and justice, even if it pissed off the bishop.

The priest at St. Patrick's had been the priest in my home town when I was a kid. So, even though we were colleagues, I was always deferential to him. Could never get past that.

in '98. Did it for myself (many folks in my class were engaged to RCs and were converting for that reason). Congratulations! I'm no longer real active in a Catholic parish; I do some Buddhism and some metaphysical Christianity, but the Catholic Church has a special place in my heart.

What were your reasons for going through RCIA, if you don't mind sharing them? (I'm always interested in others' experience, since it's not all that common).

Every month we have a second collection for charities such as the neighborhood church services group. We also raise money for a charity for kids in Rio de Janeiro.

...and my church works very hard on inclusvity (yes, even -- gasp! -- g*y people are welcome!) and meeting local needs (feeding the homeless, etc.), but we're a small church and not able to stretch much further. We do serve "fair trade" coffee at our parish get-togethers!

A fitting honor for a theologian from the British Isles who received one of the all-time unearned "bad raps" in Church history.

I left church a few years ago. I became disenchanted with their politics...even started to question religion in total.

In recent weeks my spirit is stirring towards something greater than myself again. I too am bothered by the Christian/religious bashing. It has reached a crescendo I hadn't imagined it could.

While I may not agree with each denominations "politics" and/or dogma, I still DO believe all people have the right to express their beliefs in any manner they choose...including no religion. I am for the separation of Church and state but not for the separation of religion from the believer. I think there is room in this world for all ideologies/philosophies as long as one doesn't dominate the other.

I was DEEPLY disturbed over the Schiavo case. I read and viewed so much hatred surrounding the case. I thought to myself....where's the love? Has everyone forgotten LOVE AND FOREBEARANCE?

I'd forgotten this forum was here. I stumbled across it last night; I was feeling very sad for mankind, our future et al. I read some threads in this forum that probably took the other side, of the issue over Ms Schiavo, from mine. I had hoped I would find solace in here. I don't know, maybe.

At any rate, I had to pop in to say I'm glad there is a religious/spiritual forum for those who desire it. I'm not exactly sure where I stand among you yet. We shall see...

Many Blessings, SB

You and I go way back - I'm glad you found this group!

I'm not one of the most active posters here, but I visit frequently and am very grateful this group exists. Hope you'll come back often!

I have to confess that in the last year I've been rather irreligious in here. I try not to offend anyone but I may have. If so, I humbly apologize.

Secretly though, that "something" has been present and tugging at my heart..it never really went away altogether. I still have misgivings about some things MS religious...like gay bashing and interfering into a woman's right to choose, a general lack of tolerance, and "Wealth"/prosperity being an indicator of a "blessed/good Christian" life, for example.

I even started to think there was no God, that Christianity in particular was a ruse.........yet there's this LOVE and Compassion thing that erupts in me, at the most unexpected times; it is much stronger than I alone could ever muster.

I am not a Catholic but I do extend my sympathies to the Catholic members here in DU. John Paul was a good man, a bit too conservative on one or two points, but a decent human being otherwise. He is already a legend and will be missed in the world.

Thank you for welcoming me here as I struggle back from despair to find my spiritual path....

Much Good Will to all, SB

Though I grew up as a United Methodist and served as a UMCGBGM missionary for several years (in the U.S., Africa and the Middle East).

My home church meant so much to me growing up - had an influence on the path my life has taken that rivaled, perhaps even surpassed, that of my parents. Interestingly enough, I have just recently moved back to my hometown, and quickly found the church of my youth, the church in which I was married, to be a far different place these days. It is huge, with about ten different services on Sunday. The latest thing I saw advertised on tv for my old church is a "laying of hands on your pet" program. That may best sum up the direction the leadership of my old church has taken. On 9/11 last year, my current pastor spoke of the challenges of faith and the need for understanding and reconciliation. At my old church, they had bagpipes and 20 American flags in a day of national solidarity and prayer.

I have a family of my own now, and we have found a warm and welcoming home at a Presbyterian church about 50 yards away from my old United Methodist church. And the pastor of my church is one of a very few who are willing to speak out about CURRENT issues of poverty and justice, topics that tend to make many squirm in their pews. I'm usually nodding along in agreement so vehemently I risk whiplash on a weekly basis!

Sundays are fascinating for me, because my father still attends the UMC I grew up in, my mother goes to the local Episcopal church, and my family goes to the Presbyterian service. Then we all meet for lunch and discuss what we heard at our respective churches!

I agree with the social justice stances of many of the mainstream churches in America - if I listen only to their headquarters staff or national leadership. At the local level, things can be vastly different from congregation to congregation. One of the most progressive and inclusive churches in my small college town in Alabama is Baptist. Go figure.

I think the church I attended as a child, which had a Polish American congregation at the time, and is now run by priests from a European Polish Order, probably has an underground railroad going for Polish visitors who overstay their visas..I don't attend that Church anymore but they've had a huge influx of new Polish immigrant members in recent years.

I've been trying different denominations and churches. Right now, I'm trying a UCC church. I think I might like it. They seem very active in economic and social justice issues.l

like my church you'd like it. The UCC used to be apart of the Church of Christ but they left a couple of years ago and formed the UCC. From what I've heard they're pretty much the same as us just a few differences.

and yes, the church overall is active in peace and social justice issues, although there is always room for growth.

and we Quakers do have a reputation for that peace and justice stuff.

not Unitarian and yes, though we are congregation is quite new.

I'm a member of a PCUSA church, I go to a cooperative Baptist church with my girlfriend, and I hang out with these people: http://www.koinoniapartners.org

All are fairly progressive groups.

That sounds like an interesting group. Sounds like they're closely related to the founding of Habitat for Humanity. My company once did a volunteer day at a Habitat project for one of our "community days."

Clarence Jordan (he pronounced it Jerdan) founded the farm in the 30s, and they were a target of the KKK, White Citizens council, red scare, and even national guard for being a biracial Christian community. Shortly before his death, Jordan founded Habitat for Humanity along with Millard Fuller.

as part of their Christmas gifts. I always buy staff gifts (and most other Christmas gifts) from non-profits, and Koinonia Partners make this really yummy peach cake. It's a good way to support their work.

We like to pat ourselves on the back about peace and social justice issues, but I have become very frustrated with what I percieve as "all talk, no action." Of course this is not the case with all UU churches across the board, and even small UU churches usually have some kind of social action committee, but the percentage of people who actually participate in social justice actions as persons of faith is very small and discouraging. If people act at all, it is most likely either with their checkbooks and/or with groups outside of our denominaton.

Considering I'm becoming a UU minister with a peace and justice focus in my education, I find that very disturbing. And it makes me wonder if I'll even find a congregation as devoted to social issues as I am. *sigh*

My pastor said a year ago that out of 4000 UCC churches only about 400 are open and affirming.

I have the longest "commute" of anyone at my church, but I just don't feel comfortable at a non-open and affirming congregation.

I'm also trying to get us declared Veg Friendly, but with resistance. We're friendlier to glbt people than to animals. Which is good, and bad.

and yes out church is HUGE on peace and social justice. Right here in rural Nebraska no less. I love my church. :loveya:

for a small church, ours does a fair amount on the local level. Food pantry, snowperson tree for outreach Christmas gifts for low-income, school supplies for students at nearby elementary school etc. Some are done by the whole church, some by various groups within it. The church also sponsors a preschool, although it's self-supporting.

Also--I just had surgery and got out of the hospital, after a whole spring of health problems. As a fairly irregular attendee (once a month at best) I was very pleased and heartened by how much the church members kept in touch with me. Three visits by clergy bringing communion and personalized prayer, lots of phone calls and cards from women in the one church group I belong to, etc.

When I recover, I want to "give back" some of the goodwill and caritas I received!

We do a huge amount of social justice, but that's kinda our reputation.

My local congregation (about 35ppl) does some small stuff, but we mostly support the Memphis congregation both financially and with human resources. The Memphis Congregation is VERY active -- their (now departed) head Rabbi was with MLK when he was assinated, and they haven't slowed down in the least.

Locally, we do a little bit, mostly involving visiting the sick and providing various assistance to ppl in nursing homes. We also participate in ecumincal food banks and educating ppl about Judaism -- a few of us teach classes in Sunday school and the like.

a spin-off of a spin-off of Church of Christ.

We do have various projects that serve the poor, sick, imprisoned, etc., but we are not active in politics or activism as a church. No politics from the pulpit. Which is as I believe it should be. We are a diverse people by race/class/income/origin, yet treat each other as family because of Christ.

That being said, EVERYONE there knows that I'm a Democrat. :7 Lots of the more liberal-leaning folks come to me privately for information, voter registration, and the like. I'm the only car in the parking lot with political bumper stickers. ("Another Proud Member of the Christian LEFT.") For me, preserving love in my spiritual family is more important than politics. Just like in a physical family, there are certain people it's best to avoid getting in a political argument with. The rest will be persuaded eventually. ;)

I haven't spent a lot of time in this Forum but I intend to start. Not 'cause I feel persecuted at DU - heck, what do *I* care what the athiests think on issues of faith? - but because I want the help and perpsective you all have to offer as I plan and launch an upcoming project... stay tuned. And GOD BLESS!!! Ha -HA!

a Church of Christ. Our church does mission trips to various places over the world, my parents are now helping people in prision study (they send papers to them and the people answer question's and my mom grades them and sends them back) the Bible, my parents are also involved in the innercity church our church helps out and my dad is a deacon and does various things. His main thing is the nursing home and he takes the communion to them. My preacher isn't too bad with lessons. He mostly does spiritual stuff and his fourth of July message wasn't bad. He talked about how the soliders have fought for our freedoms in the past and we're lucky and should be a country for God and if we forget God we'd go down hill and things like that. We have a program called TLC (tender loving care) where people can sign up and be in a study group that meets once a month and we have a Tuesday school where pre-school kids can come and various other things going on.

Born and Raised LCA/ELCA, but the Lutheran Church where I am now is Missouri Synod. It's liberal by LCMS standards, but I couldn't sign on to some of the official doctrine. The Episcopal Church here is an interesting combination of liberals and conservatives. My wife is very active in the community outreach program, and two of the staunchest supporters are a warm, open hearted and compassionate couple who are also solid Republicans. Needless to say, we don't talk politics.

Most of my church activity is in a P&J group. The congregation is basically conservative and would prefer that the UMC Social Principals disappear, as well as the General Board of Church and Society - the things that keep me in the Methodist Church. There's a small group of us that keep the others on their toes and very much informed on the positions of the church on social issues - ie against the war, much to their dismay. We are an active P&J group - food bank, anysoldier.com, prison ministry, adult retardation, homeless, and more.

However, I don't usually go to church and I consider myself non-denominational. I have been wrestling with the notion of finding another denomination that fits my political views better or rededicating myself to the Catholic Church.

In my hometown, I've been to nearly every church. Whether it was with my Baptist neighbors or with several of my friend's families, who run the whole spectrum of churches in town. I just always have felt God is loving and inclusive, not fearful and vengeful. That's why organized religion has turned me off for years now. I pray daily, and am constantly thinking about God, I read my bible from time to time, but I'm not a regular churchgoer. The politics of it all has gotten in the way of the Love part of it for me.

Which brings me to one reason why I joined this forum. I feel that the Christian Left has been shut out of the public debate. And, I'd like to help organize my thoughts and my faith so I can help rectify that.

Lots of progressives building a communion built around an Anglo-Catholic liturgical tradition.

It be your small bit to help balance out the numbers of orthodox Anglicans who are defecting to RC.

and yes, my is fairly active in peace and social justice issues. We have established partnerships with churches in Africa and Ireland and we exchange clergy and lay people regularly.

Of course, I only joined a year ago, and I am only there for the summer, so they could be doing that when I am not around.

Although not as much as I know my parish is capable of.

and I am not religious at all but UUism helped me raised my kids as it helped my parents raise theirs. And yes, it is.

My church is small but does alto in terms of tending to the lesser among us. We have a food closet, (M & W), prepare food baskets on the holidays as well as gifts. I think every self improvement group (al-anon, aa, girl scouts etc.)in the area uses the church for meetings at no cost. There is a very low cost nursery school open to the public. For a small church, the works are significant.

We're having a synod throughout the diocese and I ranked Peace and Social Justice as one of my top priorities in the survey. Our pastor's an overall good guy social justice-wise, but a big Bush supporter. I think we really do well with social justice, as we are big food bank and mission supporters, but we do need to work on our peace stance more than we need to work on our abortion stance.

This is the church I attend: www.saintmarks.org

Hi, group!

Nice to have you with us! :hug:

and yes for as small as the church is they still do their part with social outreach programs. There's the community kitchen, clothing drives, fund raisers for school supplies to an inner city elementary school, and other projects.

It is a Willow Creek church which is pastored by a former Willow Creek assoc. pastor. And, I luva, luva, love it!!! Our church does not discuss politics (which is probably wise in this neck of the woods) but, rumor has it that we are about 50/50 on the political spectrum. We are definitely active in many social justice issues and that is just one reason I was attracted to my church.

It's a small church, and we tend to avoid preaching politics. But we're very proactive about doing what we can to help the poor, and we believe in caring for the environment. It's also an egalitarian environment where people are encouraged to be involved according to their gifts and abilities instead of according to gender, social class, or race. I absolutely love it here. :)

yes our church is active in peace and social justice issues

I go here http://www.blue-ridge.org/

Yes, we are active in peace and social justice issues.

Teen shelter ~ Homeless kids sleeping in the church on night a week (shared with 6 other University District Churches)

Elizabeth Gregory Home for transitional housing (homeless women in Seattle)

University District food bank

Lutheran Compass Center for the homeless is Seattle

Founding member of LATCH (Lutheran Alliance To Create Housing) for low income elderly housing.

And Hell no.

I 'attend' a .. evangelical formerly Quaker church. I'm going to post about that...

I've grown up as a Catholic, but I might change to Methodist or Espisopalian if I go back to Church.

now Lutheran (ELCA) and yes my church is involved in helping the homeless and feeding the hungry.