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Ecumenical Advocacy Days 2013 February 28th, 2013
“Those who gathered much had nothing over, and those who gathered little had no shortage; they gathered as much as each of them needed.” (Exodus 16:18)
“When you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” (Luke 14:13-14)
Sign up today to attend the EAD 2013 gathering in Washington, DC scheduled for April 5-8. The theme for this year is “At God’s Table: Food Justice for a Healthy World”
Join 1,000+ Christian advocates at the 11th annual Ecumenical Advocacy Days to seek Food Justice for a Healthy World! In a world that produces enough food for everyone, EAD will explore the injustices in global food systems that leave one billion people hungry, create food price shocks that destabilize communities everywhere, and undermine God’s creation. At God’s Table, all are invited and fed, and the poorest in our midst are given a special place. Together we will seek the abundance and equality that we find reflected in the biblical image of God’s great banquet table (Exodus 16:16-18 & Luke 14:12-24). Inspiring speakers will offer a faith-based vision for fair and humane food policies and practices, along with grassroots advocacy training, all culminating with Monday’s Lobby Day on Capitol Hill.
More information at the EAD website….
National Apology to Native Americans December 10th, 2012
On December 19, 2009, the United States government officially apologized to Native Peoples – but didn’t tell anyone.
A diverse group of citizens plans to change this with an historic public reading of the national apology to native Americans in Washington, DC on December 19th. The reading, which will be broadcast via live-stream video, will take place in front of the US Capitol.
Mark Charles, a member of the Navajo Nation, has created a compelling, short video about the apology from the perspective of native peoples (watch the video). What is truly needed, he says, is an opportunity for a new national conversation for reconciliation between Native America and the rest of the country.
The gathering’s intention is to invite the nation’s citizens and leaders, and members of the global community to “join our efforts to communicate as publically, as humbly and as respectfully as possible the contents of H.R. 3326 (and the apology enclosed therein) to the Native American tribes, communities and citizens of the USA.”
For more information about this event and to RSVP, please click here. You can also go to this site to watch a live-stream video of the public reading on December 19.
Thanks to the Sojourners Community for this information. Mark Charles is a member of Emerging Voices, a project of Sojourners.
See the Oblate Community Supported Garden in Action! August 30th, 2012
There is a new video on the OMI JPIC You Tube Channel exploring the La Vista Community Supported Garden, narrated by Sr. Maxine Pohlman, SSND.
In this video, Sister Maxine walks through the garden to show what shareholders expect to get on a seasonal basis. She also talks about some of the programs offered by the Oblate Ecological Learning Center.
This video was produced by Will Shaw, Oblate Media and Communications.
Missionary Oblates in Solidarity with Homeowners Facing Foreclosures June 14th, 2012
The Missionary Oblates have been working in solidarity with homeowners in Prince William County VA on the mortgage foreclosure issue. On June 3rd Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement (VOICE) gathered more than 400 people at the First Baptist Church in Manassas to negotiate commitments on foreclosures and community restoration from GE, Bank of America and Chase. The Oblates and other members of the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility were instrumental in advancing their agenda. Fr. Séamus P. Finn OMI addressed the assembly.
Watch the video:
At the June 3rd action, GE Capital’s General Counsel represented GE CEO Jeffry Immelt, with whom VOICE had met on May 14th. These meetings came about as a result of coordinated action by the interfaith advocacy organization and religious shareholders who gave the group leverage with the company.
The company committed to negotiate with VOICE on their $300-$500 million Reinvestment agenda and restated Mr. Immelt’s commitment to meet with VOICE again in August/early September.
According to VOICE organizers, “All this would not have been possible without the steadfast support of ICCR”. Father Seamus Finn, OMI pledged ICCR’s continuing support for VOICE’s $300-$500 million reinvestment campaign.
Top executives from Bank of America & JP Morgan also came to the June 3rd action. They committed to implementation accountability on the National Mortgage Settlement in a local place, Prince William County – the first time this is known to have been done in the country. They committed to:
- $60 Million in principal write down in PWCO
- 1,000 Loan Modifications in PWCO
- Negotiate and Sign Reinvestment Deal ($300-$500 Million VOICE proposal) at VOICE October 2012 Action during the heat of the elections.
Learn more about this unique and powerful campaign to help people crushed by the mortgage crisis. Read William Greider’s article in the Nation (published April 27, 2012): http://www.thenation.com/blog/167625/predator-ge-we-bring-bad-things-life
