Advocacy (Social Justice & Mission)

WELCOME!
You've come to the right place if you want to know more about The United Methodist Church's concern for social justice, learn what's going on at the Iowa Legislature or find out how you can advocate for issues important to you.  Things will constantly be changing, so be sure to check back frequently!
 
 
 


Opportunities


Resources
COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM
What The United Methodist Church says about Immigration
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

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
What The United Methodist Church says about Environmental Justice
Iowa Interfaith Power & Light
National Council of Churches – Eco-Justice Program
Repower Iowa
Gulf Oil Spill/BP:
          Sojourners – Articles and blogs relating to the Gulf oil spill
          Senator Mary L. Landrieu’s floor speech on oil spill impact for states in the Gulf, 4.29.10
          “Low Oil Spill Estimate Could Save BP Millions in Court” – yahoo.com article, 5.20.10

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 – May 2010 newsletter by Marty Ryan, lobbyist
Prison Congregations of America, Inc. – May 2010 newsletter

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


Missional Justice Newsletters
May 2010
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009


Contact Us
Naomi Sea Young Wittstruck         Leadership Development Minister       515.974.8908
 
Kristin Clark Nolan                          Administrative Assistant                          515.974.8911
 
 
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.
 

 Action Alerts
Click here to see the list of current and archived Action Alerts.