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As the
only statewide ecumenical agency in South Carolina, SC Christian Action
Council represents a partnership of 17 denominations and 21 regional
judicatories, including 4,500 congregations.
The
Council serves as a catalyst for:
- Social justice through
public policy advocacy;
- Christian Unity and inter-religious
dialogue through relationships, collaborations and events;
- Racial and cultural
healing by building bridges of trust and understanding.
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Brown-Bag Lunch Discussion on Immigration
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The
Rev. Mr. Mark Cerniglia, Vice President for Partnership Initiatives at
Lutheran Family Services of the Carolinas, facilitated our second
Brown-Bag Lunch discussion. Our topic was immigration.
We
began by reviewing the current situation of refugees and immigrants
settling in South Carolina and across the US. 20,000,000 people live in
refugee camps around the world. From these twenty million people,
70,000 will be allowed to resettle in America in 2007.
Our
conversation turned to the question, "what can congregations do to
help?" There are many ways to help, and working with refugees and
immigrants gives everyone in the congregation a way to serve--from
youngest to oldest member. Many of our denominations have a ministry on
immigration and refugees. Contact your denominational office to see how
your congregation might get involved. Rev. Cerniglia is also willing to
help connect you. You may call him at 803.461.2623 or email him at
Mark.Cerniglia@LFScarolinas.org.
Here
are some resources that were mentioned during our conversation.
National
Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. NNIRR serves as a forum to
share information and analysis, to educate communities and the general
public, and to develop and coordinate plans of action on important
immigrant and refugee issues.
A
video, Dying to Live, is a profound look at the human face of the
immigrant. It explores who these people are, why they leave their homes
and what they face in their journey. Drawing on the insights of Pulitzer
Prize winning photographers, theologians, Church and congressional
leaders, activists, musicians and the immigrants themselves, this film
exposes the places of conflict, pain and hope along the US-Mexico border.
It is a reflection on the human struggle for a more dignified life and
the search to find God in the midst of that struggle. Find
out more and order a copy here.
Two
books were mentioned.
The Middle of Everywhere: The World's Refugees Come to Our Town,
by Mary Pipher, is the story of how Lincoln, Nebraska, came to be the
picture of America's multicultural future. Read
more here.
Coyotes:
A Journey Through the Secret World of America's Illegal Aliens, by Ted
Conover. "This is the most objective account of illegal immigration
from Mexico I've read, and one reason is that the writer — the author of Rolling
Nowhere, an account of riding freight trains with hobos — is so
subjective. Interviews with 'experts,' ranging from an American labor
organizer to a Mexican priest, are there for those who want sociological
analysis," says T.D. Allman in The New York Times Book Review.
Read
more reviews here.
Finally,
mark your calendars for Tuesday, February 13, 2007. SC Christian
Action Council will host its annual Advocacy Day with a focus on
Immigration issues. Join us on the campus of the Lutheran Theological
Southern Seminary, 11:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Watch for more details!
AND--Join
us on November 21st for the next Brown Bag Luncheon. The topic is
"Race, Gender, and Location and the administration of the Death
Penalty in South Carolina.” Our facilitator is Catilla Everette, Equal
Justice USA Southeast Field Organizer. Bring a lunch and join us!
Note:
SC Christian Action Council recently released its Statement on
Immigration. Contact the office 803.786.7115 or sccouncil@sccouncil.net
for a copy.
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2006 TEAM ornaments
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SC
Christian Action Council is pleased to offer the 2006 TEAM (The
Ecumenical AIDS Ministry) Christmas ornament.
This
year’s stunning design features a brilliantly glowing candle within a
lantern, a light to dispel darkness, adorned with red ribbon. The actual
size is 2.25 x 3.2 inches, and is packaged in an attractive commemorative
box.
Please
contact Doris at 803.786.7115 or sccouncil@sccouncil.net to reserve and
purchase your ornaments. We have a limited number this year, so order
soon!
1-5
ornaments, $14.95 each.
6-10 ornaments, $12.95 each.
11+ ornaments, $10.95 each.
Contact Doris for shipping and handling charges.
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Community News and Events
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November
4: Installation of the President, Lutheran Theological
Southern Seminary. The Rev. Dr. Marcus Miller will be installed at
1:00 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Columbia. For a schedule of
all inaugural events this weekend, click
here.
November
4-5: Investiture of Presiding Bishop. Washington
National Cathedral. The Episcopal Church will welcome Katharine Jefferts
Schori as its 26th Presiding Bishop. Find
out more here.
November
5: Midlands Area Crop Walk Against Hunger. Beginning at
Finlay Park at 2:30 p.m. Click
here for more information.
November
7: Election Day. Go vote! For more information about
the upcoming election,candidates, referendum questions, your districts
and voting locations, visit the South
Carolina Election Commission.
November
9: Public hearing. The Department of Energy will hear
from the public about its plan to resume weapons production in North
Augusta, South Carolina. North Augusta Community Center, 495 Brookside
Avenue. 11 a.m.--3 p.m. and 6--10 p.m. Several groups in South Carolina
and Georgia are organizing to have people speak in Aiken against renewed
weapons production. If you would like a ride or can drive, please contact
contact Leslie Minerd at 803-799-9297 or hipwazee@gmail.com.
November
9-10: 216th Diocesan Convention, Episcopal Diocese of South
Carolina. North Charleston Convention Center.
November
13: CBF of SC Fall Convocation. First Baptist Church,
Clinton. Emmanuel McCall, guest preacher. Find the schedule for the day here.
Click here to register
online.
November
21: Brown Bag Issues Forum. 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Shandon
Presbyterian Church, Columbia. Sponsored by the Advocacy Work Group of SC
Christian Action Council. The topic is "Race, Gender, and Location
and the administration of the Death Penalty in South Carolina.” Our
facilitator is Catilla Everette, Equal Justice USA Southeast Field
Organizer. Bring a lunch and join in the discussion!
Have
other South Carolina community news? Let us know at sccac@bellsouth.net.
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.
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Comings and Goings
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Here's
a sampling of November activities for the staff of SC Christian Action
Council.
November
1: Winthrop Wesley Presentation, Rock Hill. (Brenda)
November
4: Installation of President, Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary.
(Brenda)
November
9: Pay Day Lending Town Hall Meeting, Rock Hill. (Brenda)
November
13: CBF Fall Convocation. (Brenda)
November
14: Meeting of SC Christian Action Council Judicatory Executives.
(Brenda)
November
16-17: Non-profit Leadership Institute, Francis Marion University.
(Brenda)
November
21: Brown Bag Lunch Discussion. (Julia, Doris)
November
23-24: Offices closed in observance of Thanksgiving.
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Across My Desk...
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In 1991
the Board of the SC Christian Action Council adopted a Statement on
Government. With mid-term elections just days away, I share most of that
statement with you.
Democratic
government evolves from a covenant between the people to be governed and
those they select to govern. That covenant is sustained only when its
agreements are lived up to by the covenanting partners: the elected
officials serving with integrity and justice for the welfare of all
people, the citizens holding government and legislators in high esteem
and being active participants in governing process.
God
expects government to serve the welfare of society. Those who accept
positions of power in governing also accept responsibility to care for
the people whom God has created and loves.
God has
made human beings to live in interdependence with all creation....a
governing official in this community...accept[s] the even larger roles of
both leader and servant in marshaling the resources of the community for
the common good.
The
human community envisioned by God is built on justice and mercy. Justice
promotes and protects the rights of all people with no stratification of
privilege. Mercy acts to provide the requirements of life to those who,
because of...ability or circumstance, cannot provide for themselves....
Like
all institutions dependent upon humans, including the churches,
government can and does fall short of its highest goals....this is time
for judgment, it is also a time for tolerance, forgiveness, and renewal
of dedication.
It is
true that individuals of integrity become legislators of integrity. It is
also true that the culture and expectations of the citizens shape the
civic environment, thus influencing the charter and sense of
responsibility of legislators.
To
maintain the covenant of governance at its optimum, citizens must support
the government with discrimination, participating intelligently in the
development of public policy. Likewise, legislators must live out the
highest commitment to honesty, integrity, and public well-being as a
leaders and servants.
We
rejoice in the fact that these are the standards of most who serve in
public office in South Carolina. We do not assume or imply that all
government and all public servants need reforming. Most are people of good
intention giving diligent effort to their jobs and receiving the
affirmation of society and church.
WE
ENCOURAGE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF SOUTH CAROLINA:
- to avoid the temptations to use public office for self service, self
aggrandizement, or self enrichment
- to approve legislation which will:
1. limit personal and campaign contributions
2. prohibit personal use of campaign contributions, and
3. hold contributors and lobbyists to the same standards of
accountability as legislators;
- to act with integrity on issues set before them, avoiding the
transference of responsible decision- making to those with limited
private agendas or to traditions which are less than worthy of the
commitment of South Carolinians.
WE
ENCOURAGE THE CITIZENS OF SOUTH CAROLINA:
- to encourage men and women of honesty, of integrity, and with
commitment to human welfare to seek and serve in public office;
- to investigate candidates for public office and not be swayed by
slogans, easy answers to complex questions, or innuendos by opponents;
- to be actively involved in the formation of public policy, speaking
often and insightfully to legislators about issues in deliberation; and
- to hold in high esteem the office of government and those who give
their time and abilities in public service, and to require the office
holders to be worthy of the esteem afforded them and their offices.
...and
that's the view across my desk.
Brenda
Lynn Kneece Executive Minister
(Respond to Brenda here: bkneece@sccouncil.net.)
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