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SOCIAL ACTION
So much tragedy has happened in our
world in the last two/three months. Gun violence continues to take lives;
earthquakes, floods, tornadoes and hurricanes and wild fires have swept across
the globe; and now terrorists have wreaked havoc in Paris, France, with threats
going out everywhere. United Methodist Women serve in all these situations
through our prayers and our gifts.
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On Monday, November 8, I joined a
nationwide telephone conference organized by Bill Mefford of GBCS. We heard
Bishop Hoshibata from the Desert Southwest Conference tell how he has led his
churches to address gun violence.
Forty-nine of the Bishop’s 120+ churches have come together in strong
affirmation of a three-session Bible study about the use of guns in committing
violence. The study, “Kingdom Dreams, Violent Realities,” uses Micah 4:1-4 as
its scriptural foundation.
The Bishop noted that the call to
action should be to address general gun violence, not a specific issue. An
example of what not to try to address would be gun-free zones. The point must
be how to curb overall gun violence.
We heard also about the study regarding handgun purchasing
(see www.taleoftwostates,
which I have mentioned before) and the Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath to take
place between December 10-14, in many UMC churches.
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UMCOR needs help to provide winter
kits for survivors of the earthquake in Pakistan. As always, to support
international relief efforts you can contribute online to Advance #982450,
International Disaster Response.
UMCOR’s mission statement reads:
“Compelled by Christ to be a voice of conscience on behalf of the people called
Methodist, UMCOR works globally to alleviate human suffering and advance hope
and healing.” Our gifts enable this ministry.
I encourage you to read UMCOR’s
November newsletter which addresses “natural disasters” and GBGM’s General
Secretary, Thomas Kemper’s article on Grief,
Dismay and Prayers for Peace in Wake of Paris Attacks. Another article tells
how Austria, Vienna, has arranged to house some of the many refugees from
Syria. Go to umcmission.org/Learn and review the list of articles.
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“Activate
Love. Transform the World. Change Lives.”
This is the theme of UMC #Giving Tuesday which is December 1. This is
the day when all gifts to UMC Advance projects are matched by GBGM. There are
dozens—probably hundreds—of projects that you can support, including the one
listed above. Go online to GBGM Advance
or to UMC Mission
and select the projects of your choice. You
may also donate by phone to 1-800-554-8583.
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And in our Thanksgiving prayers, let
us join in Thomas Kemper’s prayer:
“God of mercy and justice, in the
face of horrific violence in Paris, Beirut and war-torn cities around the
world... For those whose lives are forever disrupted and changed by the
violence in Paris and Beirut... For those who serve the injured, minister to
the families of those killed and have the responsibility of determining
responses to the attacks... For the people of France that they may find a sense
of security and peace without closing their hearts and borders to Middle East
refugees... For the refugees that they may find safety and welcome and not be
turned away anywhere out of fear and distrust... For the perpetrators that
their hearts may be transformed; that they disavow violence and become
peacemakers reliant on you... For champions of peace that they will not succumb
to fear but will remain devoted to peace through justice and compassion... and
For strong United Methodist witness as instruments of justice and peace
wherever there is violence, suffering, hatred, and fear... We ask all these
petitions in the name of Christ, author of peace and maker of justice.”
And let all the people say “Amen.”
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Social Action Nov. 2015
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