Mission
Faith in Action Justice Strategy 2011
Aim: To be faith advocates for the poor, empowering people by changing structures rather than providing charity alone, to open the path to long-term well-being for all through employment, housing and education. To invest in justice, and hold ourselves and others accountable for results.
Goals:
- Target one measurable structure-changing outcome at each of four levels: local, regional, national and global.
- Build relationships to generate the power required to bring justice for those in need.
- Establish outcome-based expectations and track measurable results.
I. Local advocacy –
Target outcome: To become a powerful congregation using our influence to generate justice for the poor.
Processes:
A. One-on-one visits with members of the congregation
B. Resident Mission Oversight and advocacy
C. Affordable housing awareness and advocacy
D. Microloans for Walk-In Ministry and PADS clients
II. Regional advocacy –
Target Outcome: To move state and regional political leaders to sponsor legislation that will empower the poor.
Processes:
A. Lobby visits to Springfield to meet frequently with legislators
B. Lobby visits with local state senator and representatives at our church once a year (with other nearby congregations)
C. One-on-one visits with members of the congregation
III. National advocacy –
Target Outcome: To move congressional leaders to sponsor legislation that will empower the poor.
A. Delegation to Ecumenical Advocacy Days in Washington, DC in the spring (including college students and young adults)
B. Delegation to Bread for the World Lobby Day in Washington, DC in June
C. Letter-writing campaigns and call-your-Congress member campaigns in the church four times per year
IV. Global advocacy
Target outcome: To use our position of privilege and influence to generate justice for oppressed groups in Latin America and the Middle East. Working through church and state leaders, we will leverage U.S. influence in these countries to advocate for the rights of those who seek liberation.
A. Colombia Mission Accompaniment Program
B. Mideast Task Force
C. Chicago Religious Leadership Network on Latin America and Congregations in Solidarity with Latin America
We will carry out these goals through five Action Teams: Advocacy, Affordable Housing, Economic Sustainability, Education and Mentoring and Global Issues. To join one of these action teams, contact Mark Loafman or Jackie Kareb, co-chairs of Faith in Action: mmloafman@comcast.net or jhkareb@comcast.net.
For more information, you may contact, the Rev. Julie R. Harley, Pastor, First United Church of Oak Park. jrh@firstunitedoakpark.com or 708-386-5215.
Our goals:
To put our faith into action, serving others in love
To engage other person-to-person, heart-to-heart, and soul-to-soul
To build community, better society and bless the world
To effectively meet needs in our community while fostering discernible change
To provide all at First United an opportunity to meaningfully engage our faith and to be transformed through our service.
Look at the ways in which you try to live out your faith in service to others. Chances are many of them fit into these goals, and all of us do something that can be called mission. Today we celebrate and recognize all of the various activities we do as mission in our wider community. Many of these are organized in and through the church, though some are through your own initiative. Wherever and however we serve and contribute of our talents, wisdom, energy and resources in service of God and neighbor, we do so in thanksgiving for all God has done for us and our world.