Advocacy (Social Justice & Mission)

WELCOME!

If you are interested in learning more about the Social Justice and Mission ministries of the Annual Conference, then you’ve come to the right place!  This page is a resource for you to learn more about upcoming events, resources related to our denominational perspectives on the four issue areas of the Annual Conference, and ways to get your congregation involved in ministries of outreach and advocacy! 

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Opportunities
Student Day at 2012- Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence
February 15th 2012 - Noon

Preach-in on Global Warming
February 10-12, 2012

Environmental Lobby Day
Des Moines, Ia
Wednesday, February 22, 2012, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m
(Plan to arrive at 8:30 if you are setting up an exhibit; the Council will hold a short press conference at 10:30.)
To reserve a space, contact Matt Hauge by Friday, February 10 (hauge@iaenvironment.org; 515-244-1194, extension 210)

The Justice Conference
Portland, OR
February 24-25, 2012

National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference
Washington, D.C.
February 26-28, 2012

National Ecumenical Advocacy Days
Washington, D.C.
March 23-26^th, 2012

Welcoming the Stranger
Britt, Ia
Saturday April 28, 2012

Bishop’s Lenten Bible Study on Immigration

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Resources

• 2012 Social Justice & Mission issues brochure
• 2011 Social Justice & Mission issues brochure
• JustFaith Ministries brochure
  

IMMIGRATION REFORM

• Celebrate International Migrants Day
• What The United Methodist Church says about Immigration
• 2008 General Conference Resolution 3281:  "Welcoming the Migrant to the United States"
• Bishop Trimble’s Letter on Immigration, 5.20.10
• Council of Bishops’ Immigration Letter
• Reform Immigration FOR America
• Church World Service:
  • ICE/DRO Detention Standard for Visitation
  • Joan Maruskin’s Bible as the Ultimate Immigration Handbook
  • Religious Services Program – Immigration
  • Spiritual Care for Immigration Detainees
    
• Iowa Immigration Education Coalition
• Interfaith Immigration Coalition
• Homeland Security – Immigration Detention Overview and Recommendations
• National Council of Churches USA – Ecumenical Resources for Immigration Ministries
• Interfaith Worker Justice
  • Interfaith Worker Justice – Toolkit for Prayer and Action, Summer 2010
  • Immigration Policy Center – "Enforcing Senate Bill 1070: A State of Confusion," July 2010
    
• Borderlinks: Solidarity Against AZ 1070, July 2010
• Desert Southwest Conference - Immigration event
• Sojourners blog by David Vasquez, campus pastor, Luther College in Decorah
• Virginia Annual Conference Immigration Bible Study - Advent 2010
• 2011 New Year's Resolution Campaign - Just and Humane Immigration Reform
  • Pastoral Letter of Support by the Council of Bishops
  • News article about the Council of Bishops' decision
• Bishop’s Lenten Bible Study on Immigration

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE

• What The United Methodist Church says about Environmental Justice
• Iowa Interfaith Power & Light
• National Council of Churches USA – Eco-Justice Program
• Repower America
  • Repower at Home – toolkit
    
• Gulf Oil Spill/BP:
  • General Board of Church & Society – Gulf Coast Resources for Prayer and Action
  • Sojourners – Articles and blogs relating to the Gulf oil spill
    
• 350.org
• God's Renewed Creation: Call to Hope and Action (Council of Bishops)
• Nuclear Power Plants in Iowa - Estimating the Cost
• The Cost of Nuclear Power - letter by a Florida Senator
• Economic Impact of Nuclear Power - issue brief by Dr. Mark Cooper
  
  

RESTORATIVE JUSTICE

• What The United Methodist Church says about Restorative Justice
• National Calls (General Board of Church and Society)
• Book Recommendations:
  • Ambassadors of Reconciliation:  New Testament Reflections on Restorative Justice
    and Peacemaking by Ched Meyers and Elaine Enns
  • The Little Book of Restorative Justice by Howard Zehr
  • Changing Lenses: A New Focus for Crime and Justice by Howard Zehr
    
• Standing Committee – for more information, contact Jim Pemble, chair
• Friends of Iowa Women Prisoners – meets the third Tuesday of each month from 12-1 pm at Wesley UMC in Des Moines; contact Vi Darsee, chair, for more info.
• Justice Reform Consortium – Marty Ryan, lobbyist
• Iowa CURE (Citizens for the Rehabilitation of Errants)
• Prison Congregations of America, Inc.
• Support the National Criminal Justice Commission Act through the General Board of Church & Society
• Iowa Coalition 4 Juvenile Justice
  
  

ECONOMIC JUSTICE
 

• What The United Methodist Church says about Economic Justice
• Pay Day Lending – stay posted for more information
• Gambling and Public Referendum – contact Mitch Henry, Director of No Casino Iowa, to get involved (515.729.4662)
• Interfaith Worker Justice
• Feeding America – 2010 Report on Hunger in the United States
• Poverty in Iowa – statistics from the 2008 Census Bureau
• The Story of Stuff:  "Let There Be...Stuff?"
• Bread for the World – resources
• SPENT - a poverty simulation by Urban Ministries of Durham
• Iowa Kids Count 2010 Data Book

Everyone needs a helping hand once in awhile. Community Action Agencies are here to assist families and change lives! The Iowa Department of Human Rights has created bulletin inserts for churches to use to get the word out about Iowa’s Community Action Agencies and how they can be supportive in tough economic times. For the English version, click here.

For the Spanish version, please click here

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Want to join the Social Action Email Network?
Get involved in United Methodist Social Action!  Sign up here to join the UM Legislative Network -- you will receive Action Alerts to let you know about current issues being debated in the Iowa Legislature, and when it is most important that your legislators hear from you.  Don't forget to click on the "Legislative Network" box when completing the sign-up form online.

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