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Call your U.S. Senators today!
Urge them to support START!
Toll-free number: (888) 475-8162
Friends,
The United Methodist Council of Bishops sent a letter yesterday to U.S. Senate majority and minority leaders Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., that implores them to bring the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) with Russia to a floor vote now.
You can support the bishops’ effort by calling your U.S. senators and urging them to vote to ratify the treaty before the end of the year. You can call a toll-free number, (888) 475-8162, to leave a message for your senators. The number has been set up by the Friends Committee on National Legislation.
The Council of Bishops letter says its members pray the senate will not delay taking this measured, verifiable step to nuclear arms safety. “The United Methodist Church has articulated its moral objections to the use of nuclear weapons as one of the greatest threats to God’s creation in official statements,” writes Council of Bishops President Larry Goodpaster on behalf of its 69 members.
The benefits of this treaty, known as New START, are too significant to delay the vote in a rush to return home for the December holidays, according to the bishops.
“[START] will reduce the number of weapons and potentially encourage future nuclear non-proliferation, something which is extremely urgent in this era of terrorism,” the bishops’ letter states. “It will resume U.S. inspections of Russian weapons, a matter of high importance for both national and global security.”
You can support the United Methodist bishops' message by calling your U.S. senators today: (888) 475-8162.
The senate is expected to begin considering START this week. Call now and urge your senators to vote for the New START. By doing so, you are taking a step to help ensure the peace that this Advent season promises through the birth of Jesus Christ.
Peace to you all.
Mark Harrison
Director, Peace with Justice
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