121 Religious Communities Urge Congress to Support the Green Climate Fund

Dear Member of Congress,

We write to you as communities of faith to ask your support for the U.S. pledge to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the President’s FY2017 budget request of $750 million for the GCF.

We come from different faith traditions, united across theological lines by our deep concern for humanity and all of God’s Creation. We are guided by principles of stewardship, compassion and justice in confronting the moral crisis of our changing climate. The Green Climate Fund represents an important step in global cooperation needed to build a more resilient world and to move us along the path toward a low carbon future.

Our scriptures and religious texts call us to care for God’s creation and our most vulnerable neighbors. We believe that climate change presents an unprecedented threat to all of Creation, but particularly to those living in poverty around the world.

We already witness the impacts of climate change in rising sea levels that threaten small island states, long-term drought and other weather extremes that impact the food security and political stability of Least Developed Countries, and melting glaciers that threaten the water supplies of major cities in the Global South. All of these impacts fall hardest on those with the least means to adapt—people and communities already struggling with poverty and hunger, who are also the least responsible for the greenhouse gas emissions causing earth’s climate to change.

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) represents a new way forward in climate finance to build resilience and stability in the face of the unavoidable impacts of climate change. The core purpose of the GCF is to build the capability of developing nations to limit or reduce their greenhouse gas emissions through low carbon development pathways and to adapt to the unavoidable impacts of climate change.

To fulfill this purpose, the GCF is designed to be innovative, accountable, and compassionate. It is an independent entity with strong fiduciary standards. It is accountable to a board of directors with representatives from donor and recipient countries, including the United States. It includes high levels of transparency and accountability in its structure and governing principles to ensure proper use of its funds.

We are particularly heartened that half of the GCF funds are dedicated to adaptation needs, and with priority given to African nations, small island states, and Least Developed Countries (LDCs), the GCF represents a major commitment by the global community to help vulnerable nations build resilience to climate impacts. Such resilience will increase political stability and protect humble livelihoods of fishing and farming communities, with positive implications for related issues including migration and national security.

The GCF also builds on lessons learned from the World Bank’s Climate Investment Funds (CIFs) and other international funds that have previously supported clean energy development and climate compatible development. Notably, the GCF’s design allows for the use of innovative financial instruments to tap the power of the private sector –including leading American companies – to help address climate change.

More than $10 billion in funding pledges for the GCF to date have come from countries representing diverse regions and income levels. In addition to the U.S. pledge of $3 billion, Germany, Japan, South Korea, France, Colombia, Peru, and Mexico are among the donors, demonstrating a global commitment among developed and developing countries to address climate change.

We fully support the President’s request for $750 million for the GCF in FY2017 budget to continue efforts to build critical climate resiliency in states that are already facing eroded shorelines, super storms and longer periods of drought. The GCF’s first set of eight projects were approved in December to build climate resilience for millions of people in vulnerable states including Bangladesh, Fiji, Malawi, and Central America. As we recently witnessed the impacts of Hurricane Winston in Fiji, we are reminded of how fragile existence is in countries with fewer resources than our own.

This investment in mitigation and adaptation is our moral obligation as a major contributor to climate change. It is also a sound investment in alleviating poverty, ensuring food security and building stability now and into the future. Fulfilling our commitments to the GCF also strengthens our credibility, trust, and leadership in the international community.

Addressing the harmful impacts of climate change upon the most vulnerable peoples and the future of all God’s creation is the moral responsibility of our nation, and our sacred task as people of faith. We hope you will use your leadership role to support the U.S. pledge to the Green Climate Fund.

Sincerely,

National Organizations/Denominations:
Adorers, U.S. Region
Adventist Development and Relief Agency
Alliance of Baptists
American Baptist Churches in the USA
American Jewish World Service
Bread for the World
Catholic Climate Covenant
Catholic Relief Services
Central Conference of American Rabbis
Church World Service
Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life
Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach
Conference of Major Superiors of Men
Creation Justice Ministries
Disciples Center for Public Witness
The Dominican Sisters of Hope
Ecumenical Catholic Communion
The Episcopal Church
Evangelical Environmental Network
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs
Franciscan Action Network
Friends Committee on National Legislation
Green Muslims
GreenFaith
Interfaith Power & Light
Islamic Relief USA
Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States
Jewish Council for Public Affairs
The Justice & Witness Ministries of The United Church of Christ
Leadership Conference of Women Religious
Lutheran World Relief
Lutherans Restoring Creation
Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns
Mennonite Central Committee U.S. Washington Office
National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA
NETWORK, A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby
Office of Social Justice, Christian Reformed Church in North America
The Presbyterian Church (USA)
Rabbinical Assembly
Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association
Reformed Church in America
School Sisters of Notre Dame Cooperative Investment Fund
Sisters of Mercy of the Americas' Institute Justice Team
Society of St Ursula – American Region
Union for Reform Judaism
Unitarian Universalist Association
United Methodist Caretakers of God’s Creation
The United Methodist Church - General Board of Church and Society
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Women of Reform Judaism
Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc
Young Evangelicals for Climate Action

State/Regional Organizations:
Arizona Interfaith Power & Light
Arkansas Interfaith Power & Light
Buffalo Diocese Care for Creation Committee
Charleston Jewish Federation
Colorado Interfaith Power & Light
Community Relations Committee of Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ
Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley
Delaware Ecumenical Council on Children and Families
Delaware Interfaith Power & Light
Earth Ministry/Washington Interfaith Power & Light
Faith Action Network – WA State
Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions (VA)
Faith in Place, the Illinois Affiliate of Interfaith Power & Light
Flint Jewish Federation
Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph
Franciscan Sisters of the Atonement
Georgia Interfaith Power & Light
Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart Earth Committee
Hoosier Interfaith Power & Light
Interfaith Climate Justice Community of Western New York
Interfaith Power & Light (DC.MD.NoVA)
Iowa Interfaith Power & Light
Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington (VA, DC)
Jewish Community Relations Council of New Haven Connecticut
Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Collier County (FL)
Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte
Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines
Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia
Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass, KY
Jewish Federation of the Quad Cites (IL)
Jubilee Bay Area
Jubilee Oregon
Kentucky Interfaith Power & Light
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania
Maine Council of Churches
Maine Interfaith Power & Light
Massachusetts Council of Churches
Massachusetts Interfaith Power & Light
Michigan Interfaith Power & Light
Milwaukee Jewish Federation
Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light
Nebraska Interfaith Power & Light
New Mexico Interfaith Power and Light
New York Interfaith Power & Light
North Carolina Council of Churches
North Carolina Interfaith Power & Light
Oklahoma Interfaith Power & Light
Oregon Interfaith Power & Light
Pennsylvania Council of Churches
Philadelphia Yearly Meeting
Racine Dominicans
Rhode Island Interfaith Power & Light
Savannah Jewish Federation and Jewish Educational Alliance, Savannah GA
Sisters of Charity of New York
Sisters of O.L. of Christian Doctrine
Sisters of St. Dominic of Caldwell, NJ
SS Peter and Paul Care for Creation Committee, Hamburg, N.Y.
Sunshine State IPL
Tennessee Interfaith Power & Light
Texas Interfaith Power & Light
Tri-State Coalition for Responsible Investment
Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice in the National Capital Region
Utah Interfaith Power & Light
Vermont Interfaith Power & Light
Virginia Council of Churches
Virginia Interfaith Power & Light
Wisconsin Green Muslims
Wisconsin Interfaith Power & Light

"Revisiting the Wall"

Revisiting the Wall

By the Reverend Doctor J Herbert Nelson, II,

Director, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Office of Public Witness in Washington, DC

SERMON AS PREPARED FOR EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (U.S.A.)  PITTSBURGH, PA

SUNDAY, MARCH 12, 2016

            I want to give thanks and praise to God for the opportunity to be here with you this morning. The Lord God, your Pastor and I have worked hard over the past couple of years to make this opportunity possible. Our schedules finally came together to agree on this date. I must admit that the Lord is still at work with me. It was necessary for me to revisit the intended sermon for this morning. Unfortunately, I will not be preaching from the texts or the topic listed in the Order of Worship. Let me apologize in advance.  In view of the Spirit and recent events in this country both my text and sermon have changed as you might have suspected in the reading of our scriptures for the morning.

Some of you may be familiar with the rebuilding and restoration of the Jerusalem Wall described in the Old Testament Book of Nehemiah. The Book focuses on Nehemiah’s extraordinary sacrifice to pull persons together to restore the Jerusalem Wall after its destruction by outside invasions. Nehemiah was a taster (usually of wine) for the King. This role known as a “cupbearer” was a trusted position in the King’s cabinet. It was Nehemiah’s job to make sure that the King was not being poisoned. His position was one of influence in that he was both a trusted employee with the King’s life. Nehemiah was also a confident to both personal and governmental affairs engaged by the King. In addition to being trustworthy, he was called to be industrious, courageous and humble in his role. I contend that these characteristics are essential even today for both public and personal servants of any noble cause in our society and world. Nehemiah, a devout Jew, upon hearing of the destruction of the Jerusalem Wall, prayed while negotiating a leave of absence from his government position to lead the rebuilding project of the Jerusalem Wall.   

I contend that the most familiar part of this biblical story is the extraordinary acts of self-sacrifice on the part of Nehemiah and others to rebuild the Jerusalem Wall when they heard that it had been destroyed.  The Jerusalem wall provided a fortress to shield this community from outside evasions. Protection was important for this highly populated Holy City. However, of even greater importance were the historic communal inscriptions etched into the Wall that described God’s pilgrimage with these people through exile, trials, tragedies and triumph. The communal teachings passed down from generations, many of which we read in the Old Testament and are still read in our worship services, Church School and Bible studies today. Children learned their history at the Wall. The Wall was a place where community elders reflected on their hardships, healing and deliverance. The Wall represented the power of God to do abundantly more than any human community could do for itself. It was their reminder of having been guided on life’s journey by the only eternal help they knew while being delivered through the storms of life’s tragedies by the triumphs discovered through sustenance found in God’s eternal grace.

We are in need of revisiting the Wall of Remembrance in the United States today., The  racial, gender, and economic oppression that has and continues to occur in in the United States must be addressed. The Church must come out of hiding as we are witnessing the killing of African American women and men by White police officers who are called to protect and serve. Children of Color in this nation are struggling to graduate from high school with a diploma. School districts across the country from Detroit, Michigan to Richmond County, Georgia, to Clark County, Nevada graduate less than 30 percent of African American males[1]. This is all mounting evidence  of the racial apartheid in the United States, compounded by the fact that  we build more prisons to accommodate the failure of public education and lack of job training and placement in our nation. This targeted disparity is crippling whole communities where children of these incarcerated men and women of color are often robbed of examples of working and responsible men and women  at home.

The vitriolic rhetoric of our political campaigns in this nation, which targets complex problems with simple answers and “attack dog” styles, is not the remedy. As a matter of faith these so call political debates are not speaking into the realities of solving our nation’s communal struggles. Instead, we are witnessing a greater polarization among people, the resurgence of deep racial divides, and the continued increase in the wealth gap. While politicians seek offices in high places, our congregations must be engaged in providing both spiritual and practical deliverance with the help of the Lord to people trampled by the disastrous political storms we are facing. We must also challenge powers and principalities to restore government “of the people for the people and by the people” rather than “of the corporation, by the rich and wealthy and for the one percent.”

 We need another people’s movement etched on the Wall of this nation’s history. This movement must become a global phenomenon that is intended to bind people together beyond the spatial, racial and ideological boundaries that we have erected throughout the globe. As the writer of Ephesians speaks to us this morning in our Epistle lesson “For Christ himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility.” (Ephesians 2:14) This scripture lays claim to the fact that Jesus is our peace in these unclear hostile moments.

I speak of the need for a global movement because it is extraordinary how closely related we are in the world today. I am witnessing younger generations of all nations, races, and cultures celebrating common heroes and she-roes; foods; attending the same universities; celebrating the same celebrities and even communicating across the seas instantly with global technology. I just left the Philippines a few months ago and the same wealth gap that exists in our own country is present there. A year ago, I witnessed the damage caused by the killing of hundreds of thousands of people; and displacement, poverty and pain to people caused by the tribal fighting caused by two opposing leaders who desire all of the wealth in the Sudan and South Sudan.  It is imperative that we engage the beginnings of a global justice and human rights movement that focuses on the clear recognition that God seeks to use us for the emancipation of all human beings in this world who find themselves bound by the abuses to human dignity.

When we move to Chapter 8 of Nehemiah, we discover what took place after the rebuilding of the wall. The people of Jerusalem gathered facing the square in front of the Water Gate from early morning to midday. It was there that the scribe Ezra stood on a wooden platform and read God’s Word found in the Torah.  They were looking up at him as he expounded on the Word of God for what is believed to be more than three hours. Isn’t that amazing. They heard the Word of the Lord God for more than three hours. I know that it is difficult for some of you to hear the Word of the Lord for one hour on Sunday morning. As a matter of faith, I have seen some of you look at your watches already. A story is told of a preacher who was being criticized for his long sermons. One of trustees of the Church received authorization to put a clock on the wall facing the pulpit so that the Pastor would have no excuses about getting carried away in a spiritual moment and losing sight of time. On the first Sunday after the clock was installed, the Pastor had gone in the night before and took the clock down and replaced it with a picture of himself. The trustee board and congregation was not aware of the Pastor’s move to take the clock down and replace it with the his own picture. After the Pastor preached for more forty minutes members of the congregation looked back and saw his picture on the wall. One woman who had been a long time member of the church when she saw the picture commented out loud “O’ Lord, that preacher done took down time and put up eternity.”

The scripture records, “And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up.” (Neh. 8:5)  Seeking justice sometimes seems like an eternity, but the Word of the Lord ought to make us stand up! The problems we face oftentimes are overwhelming, but the Word of the Lord ought to make us stand up! Like Nehemiah, we must remember that our work for the Lord does not belong to us, but to the Lord. An everlasting arm sustains us! The Word of the Lord and not our own words guide us! This new global revolution requires us to begin with our own block. If there is a Presbyterian Church on the block, then no failing school or child should be in the community. You have two Presbyterian churches and a seminary only a stones throw away from one another. John Calvin, the founder of the Presbyterian Church was instrumental in advocating for public education in Geneva, Switzerland. The Church must stand above the people and point them to the hills from which comes our help. Our help comes from the Lord who made the heavens and the earth. (Psalm 121:1-2)

Now, here is what we must do.

• Strengthen the internal core of our congregations by determining the places where we can be effective in community and global transformation. Each congregation can make a difference, but it is important that we know where our strengths lie within the context of our work.
•  Ensure that representatives from this congregation attend both community and civic meetings to represent the interest of the congregation and the community. (School boards, city councils, and County Commissions ought to hear the voice of the Church as a community and receive us as prophetic partners in the on-going work to shape diverse living and opportunities for all.
• Become a place where healthy community conversations can take place (forums, lectures, healing services, community meetings, etc). The Church ought to be a place where civil dialogue can occur and people can express their views respectfully. No one should be shouted down, punched in the face, or fought with as we saw this past week at a Presidential campaign rally. The Church ought to be a place where controversial issues can be discussed with mutual respect, because the very nature of our calling demands it. The Holy Spirit guides it! And, people of faith exemplify it. We must once again claim the space as being at the center of the moral, spiritual and ethical compass of the community.
•  The Church should be a place that is centered in a “love ethic” while reflecting the diversity of its community and people. Everyone ought to be welcomed. The barriers of exclusion should be taken down when they exist. Perfect love for all human beings is our instrument, because it cast out fear. ( I John 4:18)
• We must not live in fear, but rebuild the proverbial walls of hope in our community to liberate, educate and provide a context of openness to that which we are calling the world to become. We should not accept the world as it is! No, we must live lives that make a difference for the sake of God in the world! We are not perfect and will fall sometimes. The challenge is learning to get back up with the help of the Lord and continue to witness to the Lord God’s ability to take out imperfection and make all things well.

It must be remembered that the greatest power in the world is guiding our footsteps. No one should engage those of us who know the love of Jesus without being exposed, infected and or covered by Jesus’s love. We must stop trying to make Jesus affirm our values and declare a revolution of the world’s values through the love of Jesus Christ in the world.  

 East Liberty, the struggle is hard to build and maintain an inclusive community. However, as I look across this congregation today, you represent God’s vision for a diverse world that is both engaging and transformative. A community of varying racial, gender, sexuality, and age groups with an intention to build Jesus’s beloved community. Despite sometimes being complex, you struggle for unity beyond any complications. Only the Spirit of the living God can sustain that kind of power! Hold on to the hand of Jesus!

Keep leading the way although the path may be difficult at times! Keep reminding a sometimes-cynical world that all things are possible through our Lord Jesus Christ. Oh, I am so happy that the Lord blessed me to stop by here this weekend. You have reminded me again “My Hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’s blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus name. On Christ! On Christ! On Christ! The solid rock I stand all other ground is sinking sand![2]

© 2016 J. Herbert Nelson. All Rights Reserved.

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[1] “Black Lives Matter: The Schott 50 State Report on Public Education and Black Males”. The Schott Foundation, February 2015.

[2] Mote, Edward. Hymn, “My Hope is Built on Nothing Less”. 1837.

PC (USA) Signs onto Interfaith Letter to President Obama Regarding the Historic Drought in California

March 25, 2016


Honorable Barack Obama
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20500


Dear President Obama,

Thank you for your proposed FY17 budget investments to help California respond to the historic drought and spur innovation solutions to balance the long-term needs of Californians. In the faith community we recognize that water is a fundamental component of all life, and that stewardship of water is part of our call to care for God’s creation. Like California residents, Washington can’t lose sight of the critical threats posed by drought to our environment and fish and wildlife, families and communities – and there is more to do.

Many California communities and ecosystems rely on groundwater, and despite the robust El Niño rains and resulting snowpack, California remains in a drought and the groundwater supplies have yet to recover. Sadly, some communities are unable to cope with the loss of wells and with limited infrastructure, they are left to face these dangerous impacts on their own. In addition to our call to be faithful stewards of the earth, faith traditions teach us to care for vulnerable populations including communities of color and low-income communities. It is therefore crucial that we protect these communities by continuing to invest in groundwater recharge and infrastructure to capture the El Niño storms, and enhanced data sharing and collection so that we have the best information available for local decision-making and balancing diverse water needs.

We believe that in your final State of the Union, you were very clear: climate change is a threat to us all. We have to focus relentlessly on workable solutions, especially solutions to help our most vulnerable communities and protect God’s Earth. We are grateful that the White House has taken steps to combat drought, water shortages, and water insecurity in California and the West. It is our moral responsibility to care for our neighbors and for God’s Creation, and your Administration’s proposed FY17 budget is a step forward. Please do more to protect California’s families and fragile environment.

As Deputy Secretary Mike Connor has said, “Water is the lifeblood of our communities and every drop counts.”



Sincerely,

Church of the Brethren, Office of Public Witness
Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life
Creation Justice Ministries
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Green Chalice Ministry
The Episcopal Church
Evangelical Environmental Network
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Advocacy Office
Presbyterian Church USA
Sisters of Mercy, West Midwest Justice Team
Sisters of Mercy of the Americas’ Institute Justice Team
United Church of Christ, Justice and Witness Ministries


CC:   Honorable Sally Jewell, Secretary, U.S. Department of the Interior
         Honorable Dianne Feinstein, U.S. Senator
         Honorable Barbara Boxer, U.S. Senator
         Shaun Donovan, Director, White House Office of Management and Budget
         Estevan López, Commissioner, Bureau of Reclamation
         Christina Goldfuss, Managing Director, White House Council on Environmental Quality
         Wade Crowfoot, Deputy Cabinet Secretary, State of California

Urgent Action TODAY: Tell House Leadership Not to Bring Anti-Refugee Bill to a Vote!

Background: This month, the House of Representatives' Judiciary Committee passed H.R. 4731, the "Refugee Program Integrity Restoration Act" out of committee. As House Leadership decides whether to bring this bill to the House floor for a vote, it is critical that they hear from everyone who supports refugee resettlement. We must stop them from even considering bringing H.R.4731 to a vote by the full House.

H.R.4731 would drastically reduce and cap refugee admissions; place refugees under continual surveillance after they have arrived; and create new procedures that would significantly and potentially indefinitely delay resettlement for many refugees whose lives are in danger, including but not limited to Central Americans, Syrians and Iraqis. It would allow state and local governments who "disapprove" of refugees to veto resettlement in their localities. Under the guise of prioritizing religious minorities from countries of particular concern, H.R. 4731 could effectively prevent many Muslim refugees from being resettled. It would keep refugees from adjusting to Lawful Permanent Residency until they have been here for three years, which would delay family reunification and integration opportunities. The bill would also revoke the refugee status of any refugee who returns to their country of origin to visit loved ones or rebuild their communities.

Call House leadership TODAY: Urge them to STOP this anti-refugee bill

•       Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI-1): (202) 225-0600 / @SpeakerRyan

•       Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA-23): 202-225-4000 / @GOPLeader

•       Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA-1): (202) 225-0197 / @SteveScalise

•       Conference Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA-5): (202) 225-5107 / @housegop

•       Policy Committee Chair Luke Messer (R-IN-6): (202) 225-3021 / @RepLukeMesser

Here’s what you can say: “I support refugee resettlement, and I urge the Representative to STOP H.R.4731, the "Refugee Program Integrity Restoration Act" from coming up for a vote. The bill passed the House Judiciary Committee, but would decimate refugee resettlement by drastically reducing refugee admissions, changing the definition of who is a refugee, allowing states and localities to stop resettlement to their areas, placing refugees under continual surveillance, and discriminating against people based on their religion, among other provisions.  This bill runs counter to the humanitarian leadership of the United States and the welcome of the American people. Please oppose H.R.4731 and don’t bring this bill up for a vote."

Below is additional information about refugee resettlement that might be helpful:

·       Refugees have fled their country of origin because of a well-founded fear of persecution due to their race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, and/or political opinion.

·       Today, we are facing a global refugee crisis, with more than 60 million people displaced from their homes, more than at any time since World War II. Some 20 million are refugees.

·       Refugee resettlement is a last resort, only considered for the most vulnerable who cannot return home or safely integrate in a nearby country.  Less than 1% of refugees are resettled.

·       The U.S. is a global leader in refugee protection and resettlement, which is critical to encouraging other countries to keep their doors open to refugees fleeing persecution.

·       Refugees do not choose which country they are resettled to. The U.N. refugee agency refers refugees to resettlement countries. The U.S. government screens and approves all refugees who resettle here.

·       Refugees are the most thoroughly vetted people to come to the United States, undergoing rigorous security screenings by the Department of Homeland Security, FBI, Department of Defense, Department of State, and National Counter Terrorism Center, including biometric checks, forensic document testing, medical screenings and in-person interviews by highly trained DHS officers.

·       Refugees resettled in the U.S. successfully support their families, pay taxes, and contribute to their new communities. They work in industries ranging from hospitality, food service, teaching, engineering, nursing and medicine, and many start their own businesses. Albert Einstein, Henry Kissinger, Madeleine Albright, and Sergey Brin, the founder of Google, are former refugees whose accomplishments demonstrate what the U.S. has to gain from welcoming refugees.

You can also call 1-866-940-2439.  The recording you will here when you call this number is:  Thank you for calling Leadership Members of the House of Representatives as they decide whether to bring H.R.4731, the "Refugee Program Integrity Restoration Act" to the House floor for a vote. The bill passed the House Judiciary Committee, but would drastically reduce refugee admissions, change the definition of who is a refugee, allow states and localities to stop resettlement to their areas, place refugees under continual surveillance, and discriminate against people based on their religion, among other provisions. Please call this line five times to be connected with all members of House Leadership. When you are connected, tell the receptionist that you and your community welcome refugees and urge them to STOP H.R.4731 from coming up for a vote. Please spread the word and urge others to call as well.

'Major Changes Coming to those Receiving SNAP Benefits' by Young Adult Volunteer Mara Sawdy

Over the course of 2016, more than 500,000 and as many as 1 million of the nation’s poorest people will be cut off SNAP (formerly known as the Food Stamp Program),¹  leaving them to struggle in an economy where wages are stagnant and full time work is difficult to find. In this round of cuts, unemployed adults between the ages of 18-49 who are able bodied and have no children have been targeted to lose their benefits. This is particularly troubling because SNAP benefits are often the only form of assistance they can access and this overlooked population tends to be extremely poor, with their gross income averaging 17 percent of the poverty line- about $2,000 per year.¹

This three-month time limit was included in the 1996 welfare law, which limits childless, able bodied adults to three months of SNAP benefits when they are not employed or in a work or training program for at least 20 hours a week. This means that a person could be diligently looking for a job, have a part time job and be in search of full time work, or be called upon to care for a family member and would still lose the only benefit available to them.

This year, the time limit will be in effect in more than 40 states. In 23 states, it will be the first time that the time limit has been in effect since before the recession.¹ In most of these states, the time limit went into effect in January, meaning that many people will have their SNAP benefits taken away at the end of this month.

The return of the time limit imposed on SNAP benefits will have a large-scale impact on at least 500,000 unemployed Americans who rely on these benefits to meet their nutritional needs. Congress is unlikely to act on extending the time limit or include diligently searching for jobs as a way to retain SNAP benefits. With Congress unlikely to take any action, states must begin to plan on the how to assist those who need to meet their basic nutritional needs.

Source: http://frac.org/images_new/7-actions-to-stop-snap-time-limits.jpg

As people of faith, we must remember the parable of the sheep and goats: whatever we do to “the least of these” brothers and sisters of mine, we also do to Jesus himself (Matthew 25:40). We must remember “that God our creator has made the world for everyone, and desires that all shall have daily bread” (UPCUSA, Minutes, 1979, p.189). Alleviating hunger and eliminating its causes is at the very heart of the life of the church. It is the responsibility of the Church to speak out and share all that we have, and therefore we must help our brothers and sisters who are about to lose their only way to meet their basic nutritional needs.

1    1. “More Than 500,000 Adults Will Lose SNAP Benefits in 2016 as Waivers Expire” Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. January 21, 2016.

       Mara Sawdy hails from West Newton, Pennsylvania and is a 2015 graduate of Westminster College in New Wilmington, PA.  In college, she studied environmental science and peace studies. She is currently serving as a Young Adult Volunteer the PC(USA) Office of Public Witness and Miriam's Kitchen in Washington, DC.