Advocacy Webinar Focus on Social Principles

Joyce Davis

 

I am thankful for the warm expressions of support and encouragement as I step into the role of Advocacy Coordinator for the United Methodist Church in Pennsylvania, helping to ensure that the values of our church impact all aspects of society and governmental affairs.
 
The voices of our clergy and laity can have a profound influence as elected officials enact laws, formulate regulations and decide on everything from school funding to street repairs.  The Social Principles of the United Methodist Church compel us to be engaged in all aspects of society and public life to stand with those who are suffering, oppressed and vulnerable.
 
The Book of Resolutions of The United Methodist Church 2016 states:

The United Methodist Church believes God's love for the world is an active and engaged love, a love seeking justice and liberty. We cannot just be observers. So we care enough about people's lives to risk interpreting God's love, to take a stand, to call each of us into a response, no matter how controversial or complex. The church helps us think and act out a faith perspective, not just responding to all the other 'mind-makers-up' that exist in our society. 

To that end, as I step into my new role, I am working with clergy and laity to schedule a discussion of the Social Principles of the United Methodist Church for  6 p.m., Thursday, July 22.  This will be the first of regular informational seminars that will allow clergy and laity to question experts on the most pressing topics of our day, from climate change to the minimum wage to the high cost of college tuition to the mental health crisis now gripping our nation.
 
The first Zoom meeting is entitled, Understanding the Social Principles of the United Methodist Church, and it will be streamed live from the Facebook page of the Lay Leader of the Susquehanna Conference.  It will remain on the Facebook page for later viewing for those unable to participate in real time.
 
Confirmed participants so far include the Rev. Dr. Kathy Kind, pastor of Camp Hill UMC; Aimee Hong, Senior Executive Director of Education and Engagement at the General Board of Church and Society; the Rev. Paul McReynolds, Albright-Bethune UMC, as well as Kristi Wilkerson and Sharon Gregory, lay leaders of West Virginia and Western PA, respectively.  I will moderate what promises to be an engaging and inspirational event.
 
Here is a link to register to join the discussion:
 https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_IIbhFJwzTxmsOLTpRcN19Q
 
To learn more about the Social Principles, watch this video.