October 2022

Faithful Action for Justice provides announcements and information from ORUCC’s Justice missions (Care of Creation, Immigration Justice, Heart Room, Racial Justice, Christian Witness and Service, Palestinian Justice).

Nobody can do everything. Saying yes to some things requires saying no to others. Our health and obligations limit us. As you read, briefly celebrate and pray for people doing something you will not join. As you feel called, reach out to a project’s contact person to learn more, and consider joining or click on links to read more.

Our justice mission teams provide information on issues that may be controversial, speaking to the congregation but not for the congregation.

The Immigration Justice Team invites you to support

lawful permanent residency for Afghan refugees

When: Sunday, October 16, 2022, after worship

Where: Friendship Hall, coffee provided

Why: To write letters to help support lawful permanent residency for Afghan refugees

Over 76,000 Afghans who were evacuated to the U.S. a year ago have been saved from persecution in their home country. Yet, nearly all of them lack a clear path to permanent stability and security. The Afghan Adjustment Act, a recently introduced bi-partisan bill, would open that path.

Join us in writing letters to our Senators and Representative to support this legislation. We will provide the information you need and will deliver the letters personally to the Madison offices of Senators Tammy Baldwin and Ron Johnson, and Representative Mark Pocan.

For more information:

• Ask Our Representatives to Pass the Afghan Adjustment Act by Rev. Peder Johanson, Wisconsin Council of Church’s Volunteer Coordinator for Afghan Relief and Resettlement
• Bill Summary: The Afghan Adjustment Act from the National Immigration Forum
• Afghan Evacuation: From Parole to Permanent Protection from the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service

Guaranteeing Voting Rights for Disabled People

The September statewide meeting of the Faithful Stance for Equity coalition included a presentation by Barbara Beckert of the Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition. People who are unable to get to the polls have the right to vote despite the passage of recent laws trying to make it more difficult to vote. People who are unable to get to the polls or a mailbox unassisted do have the right to have someone else help them as long as that person is not an employer or union representative. A wealth of legal and practical information was presented, including advice about what congregations can do to help make sure everyone can vote. 

Want to learn more? Take a look at the PowerPoint or the video recording (75 minutes) from the presentation. ) 

MOSES (Madison Organizing in Strength, Equity, and Solidarity)

ORUCC recently joined MOSES (Madison Organizing in Strength, Equity and Solidarity). MOSES is a grassroots, interfaith, nonpartisan, racially-mixed, non-profit organization working for transformative justice in Dane County and Wisconsin that is part of WISDOM, a statewide organization with chapters in multiple cities. Most of our members belong to faith communities, but others are unaffiliated individuals committed to social justice. We hope that you will prayerfully consider how you might become involved!

To learn more:

• Read a blog article by ORUCC members Barbie Jackson and Pam Oliver on ORUCC’s website. It provides more details about MOSES, and includes links to register for the events below or sign up for the MOSES mailing list. 
• Attend the November 6th general meeting of MOSES in person or via Zoom
• Attend the November 12 new member orientation via Zoom (Registration link). This open to all and is intended to explain the organization to people considering whether to get involved.
• Download a copy of the most recent MOSES newsletter to learn more.

Meet the New Heart Room Families

Our first cohort of Heart Room families “graduated.” Heart Room now serves eight families – three began in 2021, and five joined in recent months. Each family receives rental assistance and individualized support for up to three years. Heart Room works with families to consider their strengths and priorities, as well as their needs and barriers to success. They are working hard to meet their goals to thrive in stable housing and meet other important needs for health, safety, and financial stability. 

Would you like to learn more about the families? Here is a summary provided by The Road Home, the lead administrative partner for Heart Room. 

From Palestinian Justice

Consider travel to Palestine

We are often asked what’s the best way to learn about Palestine-Israel. On this question, we agree fully with UCC President John Dorhauer, who has stated, “Nothing can impact you like traveling to and witnessing firsthand what you can otherwise only read about from other sources. I can tell you from my own experience, if you get an opportunity to travel to the Middle East and in particular to go behind the walls of the Occupied Territories, I know that, like me, your life will be transformed by the experience.”

“Come and see.” Participate in an authentic holy land witness trip. From firsthand experience with the following trip leaders and itineraries, we heartily recommend:

• “Olive Picking Tour” (Oct 15-24, 2022) and “Olive Planting Tour” (Feb 4-23, 2023) hosted by the Joint Advocacy Initiative of the East Jerusalem YMCA and YWCA of Palestine (UCC mission partner organizations)
• “In the Footsteps of Jesus” (Nov 4-16, 2022 & Jan 1-13, 2023) hosted by Rev. Jeff and Janet Wright;
• “Come and See” Solidarity Tour (Jun 11-24, 2023) hosted by Rev. Dr. Michael Spath, phone (260-515-9300).

For more information about these trips, contact us.

Thomas Beilman and Diane Dulin

Wisconsin Voter Education Campaign

ORUCC and Madison Mennonite members showed their dedication to the voting process this summer by joining over 30 people from eight Dane County congregations to participate in WIVEC’s non-partisan Summer Interfaith Canvassing Campaign in July. We knocked on over 350 doors and spoke with over 180 households! The League of Women Voters provided training and reported that this was one of their most successful door knocking campaigns!

There is still one more opportunity to volunteer in the non-partisan WIVEC Fall Interfaith Canvassing Campaign, on Sunday October 9 from 1:30 – 4:30 pm (includes pre and post gathering times).

To see/hear July canvassers from ORUCC & other congregations watch this video. You’ll recognize a few people!–experience their reflections and feel the excitement of the day. If you’re at all interested, contact me for further info! Ruth Ann Berkholtz at [email protected] or VM at 608-334-8761.

Racial Justice Mission Team

The racial justice mission team welcomes new members. We are seeking to expand our programming on racial justice issues and are looking for your ideas about what you’d like to see. Contact [email protected] if you would like more information or to make suggestions. We meet on the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 9 – 10:30 am, can adjust meeting times for new members.

Interested? Reach out to learn more about our justice teams and projects. Our mission teams welcome your time, talent and energy!

• Care of Creation: contact Sara Roberts
• Immigration Justice: contact Ruthanne Landness
• Racial Justice: contact Pam Oliver
• Heart Room and Housing Justice: contact Helene Nelson
• Ilgen Literacy Fund: contact Jen Walker

In addition, our Christian Witness and Service ministry connects members to a variety of opportunities to support justice activities (chair: Ken Psyck).