TAKE ACTION!

Make a call TODAY for children's health care!

noreply@blogger.com (Ken Brooker Langston) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 14:45:00 +0000

The State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) is due to expire March 31, following its extension after the 2007-08 attempts to re-authorize the program were vetoed.

Bills to continue that program and add coverage for an additional four million children are expected to be introduced and voted on in both houses of Congress THIS WEEK.

As people of faith, it is important that we work to ensure that legislation moving forward reflect our values of community, compassion, and concern for those who are most vulnerable.

Contact your Senators and Representatives today!
Special Toll-Free Number: 1-888-797-8717

Urge them to support reauthorizing SCHIP so millions of uninsured children can get health coverage, and remove restrictions delaying coverage for children in need.

For more information, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

LETTER TO OBAMA: Make Middle East a Priority

noreply@blogger.com (Ken Brooker Langston) — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 23:22:00 +0000

Join GMP Sharon Watkins and other major American Christian leaders--Catholic, Evangelical, Orthodox and Protestant--in sending a letter to President-elect Obama urging him to make achievement of Israeli-Palestinian peace an immediate priority during his first year in office. Sign the ecumenical letter, along with Christians around the country, and help ensure that Obama fulfills his campaign promise to engage in Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking as soon as he takes office.

To read the letter, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

To read the list of religious leaders who signed the letter, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

To add your name to the letter, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

CANADA: Call for Climate Change on December 7

noreply@blogger.com (Ken Brooker Langston) — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:37:00 +0000

On the Global Day of Climate Action, call on Canadian leaders to take a strong stand at UN climate negotiations in Poland.

The Global Day of Climate Action takes place at the midpoint between the two weeks of climate change negotiations. The United Church of Canada, as a member of the World Council of Churches Climate Change Working Group, will be represented in the meeting in Poznań, calling on governments to act on this critical issue.

Actions are being organized in Moncton, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg, Edmonton, and Vancouver. It is expected that this list will continue to grow as December 7 approaches.

To find out more and take action, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Urge the New Congress to Raise the Minimum Wage to $10 in 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Disciples Justice Advocacy) — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 07:27:00 +0000

Please sign the following letter to Congress, asking our elected officials to raise the minimum wage to $10 in 2010.

As people of faith, we call on the 111th Congress to raise the minimum wage and join us in bringing needed economic security to our families, our communities and our country.

An adequate minimum wage is a bedrock moral value for our nation. Where the Congress sets the minimum wage reflects whether our society truly believes that workers are human beings with inherent dignity, inalienable rights and basic needs such as food, shelter and health care.

It is immoral that people work full time but have to choose between paying the rent and paying for food, paying for childcare or paying for healthcare. It is immoral that some are paid so little their children go without necessities while others are paid so much their grandchildren will live in luxury without having to work at all. A job should keep you out of poverty, not keep you in it.

It is immoral that the minimum wage is worth less now than it was the year Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was killed in Memphis while fighting for living wages for sanitation workers. The eroded value of the minimum wage has reinforced growing inequality, which has given the richest 1 percent of Americans a greater share of our nation's income than any year since 1928. This has undermined our communities, our economy and our democracy. Prophetic voices like Dr. King and others throughout the ages have called for justice for the underprivileged and poorest in society.

We, diverse people of faith from all across America, call on Congress to raise the minimum wage to $10 in 2010.

Sincerely,

To read the entire letter, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

To sign the letter, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Support Comprehensive Health Care: Sign a Letter to President-Elect Obama

noreply@blogger.com (Disciples Justice Advocacy) — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 06:00:00 +0000

Please sign the following letter to President-Elect Obama and urge him to adopt these principles in reforming health care, thereby ensuring comprehensive quality health care for all.

Dear President-Elect Obama,

We congratulate you an your victory and commend you for your attention to and commitment to health care reform. As people of faith, we envision a society where each person is afforded health, wholeness, and human dignity.

This vision embraces a system of health care that is inclusive, accessible, affordable, and accountable, and is therefore based on the following principles:

+ Health care is a basic human right and human need that includes every person.

+ All persons should have access to health services that provide necessary care and contribute to wellness.

+ Health care must contribute to the common good by being affordable for individuals, families and society as a whole.

+ Our health care system must be accountable, offering a quality, equitable and sustainable means of keeping us healthy as individuals and as a community.

We look forward to working with you and your administration to ensure quality comprehensive health care for all people based upon these principles.

Sincerely,

To sign the letter, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

To read the entire statement, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Urge Obama to Prioritize Reproductive Health: Sign the Letter

noreply@blogger.com (Disciples Justice Advocacy) — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 05:50:00 +0000

Join a broad array of religious groups, faith communities, and people of faith (including Disciples For Choice and the Disciples Justice Action Network) who have come together to urge President-elect Barack Obama to make reproductive health a priority in the first months of his administration.

To read the entire letter, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Dear President-elect Obama,

Our faith communities, comprising millions of Americans, unite in a shared moral commitment to preserve the reproductive health of our nation. Though traditionally cast as a woman's issue, we maintain that prioritizing reproductive health and justice is an integral part of achieving greater social justice for all. The ability to plan and care for one's family is central to addressing the myriad social, political and economic concerns we face. Accessing comprehensive health care services safely and legally is inextricably linked to the ability of our country's citizens and families to thrive. This is why we urge you to make these issues a priority in your administration.

Sincerely,

To sign the letter, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Read the Current DJAN NEWSLETTER

noreply@blogger.com (Disciples Justice Advocacy) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 16:00:00 +0000

The holiday edition of DJAN's newsletter, Call to Justice, is now available. Please CLICK HERE to download a copy today.

AND, if you can, PLEASE SEND SOME FINANCIAL SUPPORT OUR WAY!

CLICK HERE to give online.

- Or - Please send your most generous financial contribution to:

DJAN Southwest Office
PO Box 35887
Tulsa, OK 75413

Many thanks and blessings!

Sign the Africa Solidarity and Welcome Letter

noreply@blogger.com (Disciples Justice Advocacy) — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 16:00:00 +0000

The lives of vulnerable people and nations are at risk because of global climate change. Changes in global climate will affect those living in developing nations most directly because they depend on the surrounding physical environment to supply their needs and have limited ability to cope to climate variability and extremes. For these reasons, communities across Africa must have a voice in determining global policies to mitigate and adapt to global climate change.

In late September, African delegates will arrive in the U.S. to meet with United Nations officials in New York to encourage the United States to take a lead in the post-Kyoto negotiations and to make sure the voices of people in Africa are heard. Progress on climate change can only happen if there are international agreements where all participate and where all voices are heard. Stand in solidarity with our African sisters and brothers by signing the Welcome Letter that will be presented to the African delegation when they come to the U.S.

To sign the letter, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

U.S. House Casts Historic Vote to Protect Kids from Tobacco, Save Lives

noreply@blogger.com (Disciples Justice Advocacy) — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:15:00 +0000

Thanks to great work by faith and public health leaders and activists from across the country, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1108, the legislation authorizing the FDA to regulate tobacco products, by an overwhelming bipartisan margin of 326-102!!! Thank you all so very very much! PLEASE CLICK HERE for a statement by Faith United Against Tobacco.

Speak Out Against Torture

noreply@blogger.com (Disciples Justice Advocacy) — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 00:35:00 +0000

NO TORTURE. NO EXCEPTIONS. The issue of torture has been much in the news lately including questions about whether the U.S. should engage in torture. For the followers of a tortured and crucified Savior, torture is unambiguously wrong. Whether physical or psychological, torture is destructive of the human spirit for both the tortured person and the torturer. Moreover, intelligence experts question whether information derived through torture is useful, and these practices degrade the standing of the U.S. as a beacon of democracy and weaken its moral authority at home and abroad.

Please sign the Statement of Conscience Against Torture and declare your opposition to U.S.-sponsored torture.

To read more about the statement, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

To read the statement, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

To read Sense-of-the-Assembly Resolution 0721:
"On The Elimination of Torture,"
PLEASE CLICK HERE.

To sign the Statement of Conscience Against Torture,
PLEASE CLICK HERE

THANK the PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES

noreply@blogger.com (Disciples Justice Advocacy) — Wed, 28 May 2008 14:49:00 +0000

The three remaining presidential candidates of the major political parties have together issued a hisoric Joint Statement on Darfur. In the joint statement the candidates express their united resolve to end the Darfur genocide and bring peace and security to all Sudan.

“As we campaign for President of the United States over the next several months, we expect there to be significant focus on the many differences between us,” reads the statement, which is also featured today in a New York Times advertisement. “It is with this awareness that we are taking the uncommon step of issuing a joint statement about an issue. After more than five years of genocide, the Sudanese government and its proxies continue to commit atrocities against civilians in Darfur. This is unacceptable to the American people and to the world community.”

To read the joint statement, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

To watch a video of the candidates sharing their concerns about Darfur, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

To thank the candidates for their united stand on Darfur,

PLEASE CLICK HERE.

House Defeats New Nuclear Warhead Amendment

noreply@blogger.com (Disciples Justice Advocacy) — Sat, 24 May 2008 01:10:00 +0000

Yesterday afternoon, phones in Congress were buzzing as concerned citizens all over the country called their Representatives to urge them to vote against an amendment that would have restored funding to the Reliable Replacement Warhead program--a dangerous program designed to create new nuclear warheads.

When the final roll call came through, it turned out that the amendment was defeated 145-271. 44 Republicans voted against the bill, and only 1 Democrat voted for it. If you're curious about how your Representive voted, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Phone calls from concerned citizens played an enormous role in turning the tide on this amendment. All the coalition partners of Faithful Security: National Religious Partnership on the Nuclear Weapons Danger thank all callers for acting so quickly!

Urge MPs to vote no to Bill C-33 on Biofuels

noreply@blogger.com (Disciples Justice Advocacy) — Fri, 23 May 2008 19:24:00 +0000

The Canadian Parliament is currently considering Bill C-33, which provides a $2.2 billion subsidy for biofuels and requires that all gasoline include 5% biofuel content by 2010. The bill could come to third and final reading any day.

Research into biofuels (also known as agrofuels), has raised very serious questions about their impact on the world’s food supply. To download a report, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Our partners in the global South have also become increasingly alarmed at how the global push for biofuels is impacting on issues such as land use, food sovereignty, and other human rights.

TAKE ACTION NOW! Urge your MPs to vote against Bill C-33.

For more information about how to take action on this issue, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Tell us what YOU think about health care!

noreply@blogger.com (Disciples Justice Advocacy) — Fri, 23 May 2008 04:12:00 +0000

It's not too late to tell us what YOU think about health care! Offer your opinion by taking your PULSE today! (Deadline: Tuesday, May 27th at noon eastern).

With the PULSE SURVEY, you can tell us in just 10 minutes what you need and value when it comes to health care. You can tell us about your experiences with U.S. health care, your ability to get the health care you need, and what kind of reforms would make the most sense to you. In addition, you can tell us how your faith values inform your opinions on this issue.

CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE SURVEY NOW and then forward this information to your email networks! REMEMBER: The deadline is Tuesday, May 27 at noon (eastern).

Clearly, health care is a critical issue in this election cycle, and the voice of the faith community will be critical in keeping the issue in the forefront of legislative priorities. Proclaiming our vision will be key to shaping a health care future that works for all of us.

The information will be used to help inform a gathering of faith leaders
at an Interfaith Health Care Reform Meeting June 2 - 4, 2008. So please take the survey today!

Good News on Children's Health Care: A Follow-Up to the May 20th Alert

noreply@blogger.com (Disciples Justice Advocacy) — Fri, 23 May 2008 01:14:00 +0000

Good news! Your calls counted — your voices were heard! Today the Senate passed legislation by a vote of 75-22 to delay seven harmful Bush Administration Medicaid regulations. These regulations jeopardize vital health services to millions of children, including children who are low-income, disabled, those with special health needs, and foster youth. Now the measure goes back to the House of Representatives for a vote after Memorial Day. Stay tuned . . . and stay involved!

Oppose Further Funding for the War in Iraq

noreply@blogger.com (Disciples Justice Advocacy) — Wed, 21 May 2008 16:31:00 +0000

Last week the House of Representatives did something unprecedented: It voted against the funding for the war in Iraq.

Now the Senate will be voting as early as TODAY, May 21, on a $169 billion bill, which will extend the war and occupation in Iraq until next summer.

If you oppose continued funding of a war that is costing us $12 billion a month and has taken thousands of U.S. lives, and hundreds of thousands of Iraqi lives, it is crucial that your Senators hear from you immediately

Call your senators TODAY! Call 202-224-3121 and ask to be connected to your Senators' offices. For more information about your Senators, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Tell your senators: Vote NO on funding to continue the war in Iraq! It is time to support our troops by bringing them home! CALL TODAY!

Protect Critical Health Coverage for Our Most Vulnerable Children

noreply@blogger.com (Disciples Justice Advocacy) — Tue, 20 May 2008 16:14:00 +0000

The Bush Administration is attempting to implement regulations that would significantly erode Medicaid, a program that provides critical health coverage to more than 28 million of our nation's most vulnerable children. These regulations jeopardize vital health services to millions of children, including children who are low-income, disabled, those with special health needs, and foster youth.

TAKE ACTION NOW! The Senate is expected to vote at any moment on legislation that could stop the Bush Administration from putting these harmful regulations into effect, and your Senators' votes are crucial! Please take a few minutes to call your Senators now and ask them to vote in favor of a moratorium on these crippling regulations.

Please call 202-224-3121 and ask to be connected to your Senator's office. To get information about your Senators, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

PLEASE CALL TODAY! Every call is needed!

Support Our Troops: Bring Them Home!

noreply@blogger.com (Disciples Justice Advocacy) — Wed, 07 May 2008 19:30:00 +0000

This week the House is considering the fiscal year 2008 war supplemental spending bill. An amendment to be offered includes a non-binding goal of withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq within 18 months, a ban on deploying troops that are not combat ready, equal time at home and deployed on the battlefield, and a requirement that interrogation techniques conform to those found in the Army Field Manual. With no clear exit strategy identified by the Administration, it is time for members of Congress and the American people to make their voices heard.

Take Action

In emails, faxes, and phone calls, please contact your Representative and urge him or her to support the amendment to establish a non-binding timetable for withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq .

For more information on your Representative, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

The Capitol Switchboard can be reached at 202-224-3121.
Please call today!

Help Pass a Second Economic Stimulus Package

noreply@blogger.com (Disciples Justice Advocacy) — Wed, 07 May 2008 17:53:00 +0000

Times are tough - there’s no question. Families are hurting more and more. Americans everywhere are feeling financial pressure from all directions. Perhaps your family is among them. If not, you probably know families that are.

What can you do? First, contact your representative. Urge her or him to pass a second economic stimulus package--one that targets relief to vulnerable families. Specifically, this package should include assistance for nutrition, unemployment insurance, home energy assistance, and aid to states for Medicaid and other programs that serve vulnerable people.

Second, share your stories. By writing and calling your elected officials and telling them what you are experiencing or witnessing in your community, you press them to address the reality at home and to take action soon to help our economically struggling communities.

Our biblical mandate is clear. In Matthew, Jesus tells us, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” (Matt. 25:40)

As Christians we are called to hold those in power accountable to the common good. By doing nothing our government is letting families fall through the cracks. We must speak out. We must call on Congress to act now on behalf of our communities.

To find out more about your elected representative, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

To share your story and call for immediate action, please dial 202-224-3121 and ask for your representative's office.

Take Action Now! Contact your representative. Urge her or him to pass a second economic stimulus package--and to do it soon!