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It's Been a
Busy Year
This
year, YOUR Council gathered for Ecumenical worship and
prayer. The gatherings of the SC Christian Action Council, and
only these gatherings, reflect the broadness and depth of the Body of
Christ in our state The Council encouraged all to see the
image of God in every human and to celebrate the unique beams of Light
found in all expressions of faith. This year, your Council
encouraged dialogue between denominations and in the Inter-religious
world. It's been a busy year.
This
year the SCCAC advocated for regulation of the
Payday Lending Industry, against Nuclear Weapons Proliferation, for
Equity in Public School Funding, for ethical and moral Immigration
Reform, and on many other issues. Additionally, we have worked for Racial
Healing, pled for Peace-making, and rallied for the end of Genocide in
Darfur and around the world. It's been a busy year.
Our advocacy efforts, as
always, have a two-fold target: 1) educating to build
awareness of issues and 2) influencing for common good
those who have positional power to make the changes needed so that
all within our state may hold a his or her own franchise of freedom
and opportunity.
Because
our advocacy efforts are focused on systems change not
on direct ministry, specific names are not available. Yet it is easy to
imagine the lives touched by the Council's presence and
active ministry.
The
Council's presence makes a difference to those suffering the
worst of humankind's inhumanity. To these it makes a difference
that the Council is a part of the Darfur Action Group of SC. Not just
because the Council is doing something, but because together thousands of
South Carolinians with no reward-other than justice on the other side of the
world-stood and shouted: "Enough." "Stop the
killing." "Stop the maiming." "Stop the
raping." And, efforts to
further this message continue. It makes a difference that the voice heard
in that shout was the blended voices of the young and the old, the rich
and the poor, the black and the white, the Jew, the Christian, the
Muslim. South Carolinians standing shoulder to shoulder shouting so that
the Sudanese government and our own politicians would hear: "Enough.
Enough in Darfur. Enough in the World. Stop the Genocide."
The
Council's presence makes a difference to those living in the
middle of war. It makes
a difference that the Council advocates "Making Peace in a Time of
War." It makes a difference when the Council holds discussions on
the theme of peace-making and simultaneously advocates support for those
serving our country in harm's way. The tension between these seeming
extremes demands a careful and deliberate walk. The Council is first and foremost a servant to Jesus
Christ, the Prince of Peace. It makes a difference when the Council walks
that walk with perils on all sides which takes it to the heart of
the Gospel: "Love One Another."
The
Council's presence makes a difference within our state on the issue of racial
healing. As I was challenged
some years ago, "How can that which was never 'conciled,' be
reconciled?" The Council's presence is a statement that healing
continues. With out-stretched hands and open hearts, the Council joins
with all who envision a future in which all are judged by their character
and where every child can dream a future full of hope.
On
the Legislative front, the Council's presence makes a difference. In
2007, working with other non-profits, denominational staff, and
passionate volunteers, the Council addressed multiple legislative
issues. The Council voiced a cry for moral and ethical
Immigration Reform. The Council's voice-often over-whelmed by the angry,
the suspicious, the misinformed-informed, those looking for a
scapegoat-reminded those listening that the most repeated commandment in
Christian scripture is to "care for the stranger" among us. We
will continue this advocacy in 2008.
Over
the years, the Council's presence has made a difference in the lives of
our state's students in under-funded and inequitable schools.
This effort will continue next year.
On
the issue of Nuclear Weapons Proliferation, the
Council's presence provided an alternative reading to the
Administration's Proposed Complex 2030. While not funded to the level
first proposed, Complex 2030 announces the reality of the
administration's goal to enhance USA nuclear weapons capability while
crying foul as other nations do the same. With the presence of terrorism
in the world, it is even more critical to make these weapons of mass
destruction relics of the past rather than phantoms of the future.
The
Council called for the regulation of the Payday Lending Industry.
This industry regularly entices the unsuspecting and economically
illiterate into the down-ward spiral of unpayable debt. With a few
hundred more offices around the state than the fast-food chain McDonalds,
this Biblically-barred practice of usury allows a few citizens to break
the backs of those whom they say they serve. The Council will continue
this advocacy into the 2008 Legislative Session.
Since
its founding in 1933, the Council's presence has again and again made a
difference. Sometimes we've been visibly busy and at others time we are
working behind the scenes building trust and relationships. To
keep Your Council's presence viable, won't you make a
donation today?
Your contribution will make a difference. You may keep the lights on for one hour or one
month or one year. You may support staff research on a social justice
issue or ensure Council presence in a legislative committee session.
Whatever you can do, do it. Be a part of keeping the Council's presence
strong for the causes of social justice, racial healing, and
peace-making. CLICK HERE to contribute today.
As
you prayerfully consider what you could give, know that the
Officers, Board, and Staff of YOUR Council are thankful for YOUR
support--both prayer and financial.
Yes, it's been a busy year
and with 2008 already knocking on the door, we promise to keep busy
promoting Christian unity and Inter-religious dialogue, advocating
for justice and peace, building new relationships and strengthening
on-going ones.
In fact, it looks as though
we'll be blessedly busy in 2008, too! Why not CLICK HERE right now
and do YOUR part to keep the Council going in 2008?
Thanks, gotta' run...you
know we're busy around here. |
