In this issue:

·  From Across My Desk . . .

·  COMPLEX 2030

·  Support YOUR South Carolina Christian Action Council!

·  Community News and Events

·  Comings and Goings

COMPLEX 2030

The South Carolina Christian Action Council (SCCAC) with the National Religious Partnership on the Nuclear Weapons Danger is campaigning against build-up of nuclear weapons. Other state church councils also working on this issue include California, Texas, and New Mexico. The following comes from Friends Committee on National Legislation. For more from Friends click here

The national administration has developed a $150 billion plan to rebuild the nation's nuclear weapons capabilities and to develop the first new nuclear warhead in over two decades. This new plan, called "Complex 2030" for the date by which the program would be completed, is a reversal of the goals of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

The underlying premise of international efforts to stop the spread of weapons of mass destruction is that the U.S. and other nuclear weapons states will also work to reduce their own stockpiles. Building the next generation of nuclear weapons could reignite the arms race and pose an increased threat to our planet. The new plan also threatens U.S. and international security by undermining calls for other countries such as Iran and North Korea to halt efforts to develop nuclear weapons.

The administration claims that Complex 2030 is needed to reduce the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile, when in fact, it will increase capacity to build nuclear weapons. NNSA argues that by creating a new pit facility, it will feel confident in its ability to produce new nuclear weapons when needed, and can downsize the existing stockpile. However, the U.S. government already has an obligation and capability to dismantle its nuclear warheads without the construction of a new pit facility that would enable increased warhead production.

Under the Strategic Offensive Reduction Treaty (SORT) signed with Russia in 2002, the U.S. is committed to reducing its nuclear weapons arsenal to between 1,700 and 2,200 deployed strategic warheads by the end of 2012. The Complex 2030 plan is not necessary for complying with SORT.

The administration is seeking funds for Complex 2030 for the first time in its fiscal year 2008 (FY08) budget request. The Energy Dept. (DOE) has concealed the cost of initial design and research for Complex 2030 in multiple existing program accounts.

Concerned citizens have played a central role in the past curbing the nuclear arms race and preventing nuclear war. A similar movement is needed today.

Here's what you can do:

Communicate with your members of Congress. Urge them to eliminate funding for Complex 2030 and the new pit facility in the FY08 budget.... Members of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees, and the House and Senate Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittees will play a key role in decisions on the future of Complex 2030. To find out who your Congressional members are and the committees on which they serve click here.

Write a letter to the editor of your local paper explaining the dangers of rebuilding the Nuclear Weapons Complex and producing new nuclear weapons.

Educate your friends and family. Numbers do make a difference, and legislators will be more inclined to vote your way if they feel a groundswell of support exists for a particular measure or issue. Help create this momentum by educating your community.

Many national denominational leaders have signed on in support of this Campaign Against Nuclear weapons.
To join the Faithful Security Network click here .

SCCAC hopes to gather 1,000 or more signatures in support of this campaign. If you are willing to gather signatures in your community or places of work and worship, please email us so we can get the information to you. Send me an email

SCCAC is making plans to host an educational event before the summer. More information will be provided as plans take shape. If you are willing to host or volunteer on this event, let us know.

Support YOUR South Carolina Christian Action Council!

·  Advocating for social justice,

·  Bringing together persons of different faiths and holding differing positions on issues for dialogue,

·  Worshipping ecumenically, sharing the faith traditions we hold dear and learning others,

·  Providing--by example and voice--a model for meaningful and full relationships across social and racial barriers.

Together we address these opportunities.

With your support, YOUR Council will continue to serve our state as a witness to the oneness for which our Lord Jesus Christ prayer.

Click here to donate NOW!

Community News and Events

March 5: Immigration Policies in the American Continent.Presenters: Arq. Pierina Correa, Coordinator of Immigrants Ecuador; Guido Arochi, representative of the Mexican Consulate; Dr. Elaine Lacy, USC; Dr. Jorge Camacho, USC; Dr. David Linna; USC. 5:30-8:00 PM, Student Senate Chambers, Russell House, 3rd floor. Reception following. Free and open to the public.

March 6, 13, 20, 27: Lay School of Religion. Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary. Choice of one of the following courses: "The Making and Meaning of our Bible," Dr. Charles Sigel, NT Prof. Emeritus, Southern Seminary. "Iconography," Fr. Thomas Moore, Priest-in- Charge, Holy Apostles Orthodox Church. "Personality Type," Rev. Harvey Huntley, Jr. and Sandra Holland, AIM, both on the staff of Region 9-ELCA. For more information and downloadable registration form click here.

State Superintendent's Town Hall Meetings (continued): A Call to Action for Quality After School Programs.
March 6, 6:00 PM. USC Aiken
March 7, 7:00 PM. Beck Academy, 901 Woodruff Rd., Greenville
March 12, 7:00 PM. Charleston, location TBA
March 19, 7:00 PM. Rock Hill, location TBA

Wednesdays through April 4: Lenten Lunch Series, Ladson Presbyterian Church. Noon- 1:00 PM. Theme: "Preparing for the Promises of the Cross." 1720 Sumter St., Columbia. Fellowship meal provided after service. Co-sponsored By Eastminster and Ladson Presbyterian Churches.

March 10-11: Low Country Pow Wow and Cultural Festival. New Location: Exit 33 off of I-95 Point South/Yemassee, SC. Host Hotel is Knight’s Inn.– 843-726-8488. Signs will be posted. Contact Mike Benton at 843-784-2866 work 843-784-2233

March 13-14: Experiencing God's Kingdom in our Neighborhoods. Faith-based Neighborhood Partnerships Conference. Brookland Baptist Church, 1066 Sunset Blvd., W. Columbia. Registration information via email.

March 24: Dying to Live: A Migrant's Journey. View documentary and join discussion. 1:00-4:00 PM. Fellowship Hall, St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 1416 Broad River Road, Columbia. Contact person: Sandy Jones (803) 556-8370 or via email.

March 30-31: Edisto Pow Wow, Ladson, SC. Fairgrounds. Contact Anthony Davidson at 843-534- 6132.

March 30, 31 and April 1st: Spirit Creek American Indian Heritage Association’s FIRST ANNUAL BENEFIT POWWOW at the Wagon Wheel, 12831 Highway 278,Barnwell, SC Contact info: Gary Five Crows 706-560-1794.

__________________________________________ Have other South Carolina community news? Let us know via email.

We include information on community events as space and time allow; and, only in accordance with the mission and policies of SC Christian Action Council. We do not accept unsolicited articles.

Comings and Goings

Here is a sampling of Council staff engagements this month.

• Wednesdays: Lenten Service, Ladson Presbyterian (Doris, Brenda)
• March 14-18. State Ecumenical Executives Gathering, San Antonio, Texas (Brenda)
• March 23. Non-Profit Leadership Institute, Francis Marion University, Florence (Brenda)
• March 27. National Development Institute Seminar, Columbia (Brenda)

From Across My Desk . . .

In early February, it was my privilege to participate in the first annual gathering in Pasadena, California, of Christian Churches Together (CCT).

Mind you, denominational servants worked together a number of years to bring about this "first" annual gathering. There is nothing speedy about building or re-building relationships.

The stated purposes of CCT remind Christians that who we are together is the paramount issue in ecumenical life, what we do is secondary. Those purposes are:

1) To celebrate a common confession of faith in the Triune God,
2) To discern the guidance of the Holy Spirit through prayer and theological dialogue,
3) To provide fellowship and mutual support,
4) To seek better understanding of each other by affirming our commonalities and understanding our differences,
5) To foster evangelism faithful to the proclamation of the gospel,
6) To speak to society with a common voice whenever possible, and
7) To promote the common good of society and engage in other activities consistent with its purposes.

Responding to those stated purposes and invitations that had been advanced, the CCT table grew even as we met as other churches and national Christian organizations were accepted into membership.

In like manner, the South Carolina Christian Action Council invites to our shared table those who share the Council's vision: We envision South Carolina as a community where people of faith unite to glorify God through worship, social justice, peace, and mercy; participate in the program of the Council, and provide some level of financial support as determined by our Fair Share Plan for Judicatory Support.

Together the members of the Council work to build in reunion ground for the Christian family. We pray and work to build and protect a table where we can see our relatedness--even in diversity and disagreement.

We who are Christian are invited by God to this feast of family, of relationship. We are called to the difficult work of hearing the other's story and of willingly playing second fiddle.

Only as we learn from each other that which unites us and understand in relation to each other that which divides us, can we work together as the visible witness for which our Lord prayed: "That they be One as You and I are One."

Thank you, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of SC, for making it possible for your state's ecumenical family to be represented in this historic first annual gathering of Christian Churches Together. You have contributed to greater understanding of ecumenism, of Christian Unity, for your Council staff.

If you are interested in knowing more about membership in the Christian Action Council, send me an email.

For more information on Christian Churches Together contact the Rev. Wesley Granberg-Michaelson by email .

And that's the view from across my desk.