United Methodist Witness Becomes United Methodist Advocacy in PA
From United Methodist Advocacy PA
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1/27/2010
HARRISBURG – United Methodist Witness in Pennsylvania has a new name: United Methodist Advocacy in Pennsylvania.
“Communication requires quick, clear messaging,” said the Rev. Keith Benjamin of Carbondale, PA, chair of the UM Advocacy PA. “Changing our name from witness to advocacy removes any confusion about our role. We are advocates for the church and Jesus Christ.”
As he announced the new name, Benjamin said the organization has a new website, www.umadvocacypa.org, a Facebook page, United Methodist Advocacy PA, and a Twitter designation, PAMethodist.
“We are very proud of the way United Methodists in Pennsylvania have responded to our calls to action on issues of vital importance,” Benjamin said. “With our new website, Facebook page, and Twitter, Pennsylvania Methodists can both receive and send information related to issues before Pennsylvania government.”
The new website, he said, has the ability for persons to communicate directly with their state representatives, senators, and the governor. The Facebook page will provide information on issues, and conversation. Access to Twitter provides real-time communication with persons interested in the church’s work.
“Last year, when our bishops issued a call to action on gambling, thousands of Pennsylvanians wrote letters and sent emails. It was a great response in a very short period of time,” Benjamin said. “It was done the old-fashioned way, by mail. Today, mail is often too slow. We need to communicate more quickly and more directly.
“Our new technology gives us the ability to mobilize more quickly. We can speak out for initiatives that reflect our church’s principles, and against proposals that are not in the best interests of Pennsylvania families,” he added.
Benjamin said the name change was unanimously approved by the board of directors in consultation with Pennsylvania’s four United Methodist bishops.
United Methodists have a history of involvement in justice and public policy that stretches back to its founder, John Wesley. United Methodist Advocacy in Pennsylvania was formed in the mid-1980s as A United Methodist Witness in Pennsylvania to give Pennsylvania Methodists a voice in state government.
United Methodist Advocacy’s office in located at 216 State Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101. Executive Director Stephen Drachler can be reached at sdrachler@umadvocacypa.org.
Western Pennsylvania is one of the four annual conference members of United Methodist Advocacy PA.