Issues and Statements
A Memorial Day Message from Interim
Executive Director, Darel Grothaus: “Remembering Jesus, the Brothers
Wesley, and Emmett Till’s Mother”
Hebrews 12:1-3
“Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all
these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it.
Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no
parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus……” (Translation by Eugene
Peterson)
So let’s heed the author’s advice, and study how Jesus did it, going
over his story again, item by item. [more]
Christian
Faith demands, as a matter of justice and compassion, that we be
concerned about public schools.
As people of faith we do not
view our children as products to be tested and managed but instead as unique
human beings to be nurtured and educated. We call on our political
leaders to invest in developing the capacity of all schools. Our nation
should be judged by the way we care for our children. [more
 563k]
Faith Reflection on the Budget
There has been much
discussion about the need to look at the federal and state budget as moral
documents that reflect our values and priorities. We encourage your comments
on this 'Faith Reflection on the Budget'. [more]
Support for Anti-Discrimination Law
As we have done for decades, in January of 2006, we supported the Washington
State Legislature when it passed ESHB 2661, updating the state’s
anti-discrimination law to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual
orientation in employment, housing, public accommodations, credit, insurance
and commercial transactions. [more]
American Churches on Iraq [more]
Nursing Home Funding
Our state’s
nursing homes – home to many of the most vulnerable among us – are in
crisis. Over the last seven years, more than 30 nursing homes have closed
their doors, leaving hundreds of needy elderly and disabled residents and
their families scrambling for care. [more]
Labor Justice
As a part of its commitment to
workers organizing rights and the provision of health care by
employers, the WAC is participating in the national movement to reform
Wal-Mart. [more]
Estate Tax cut moral setback for nation
While our
government is going hundreds of billions of dollars into debt to pay for the
Iraq war and rebuilding after natural disasters, it is immoral to even
consider cutting the taxes of the wealthiest 1% of Americans by repealing or
gutting the estate tax. Read John Boonstra's full op ed from the 9/6/05
Seattle P-I. [more]
What have
we learned from Hurricane Katrina
Catastrophes such as hurricanes and flooding will occur again and again
unless governments at all levels face the poverty that made so many people
in the path of the storm vulnerable to death and destruction. [more]
Nov
22, 2005 - Religious Leaders Statement on FEMA decision
We call upon the
President and Congress to reverse this punitive decision by the FEMA and
restore and continue support to the hurricane affected evacuees to help them
put their lives back together. [more]
Nov. 9, 2005 -- The Washington Association of Churches endorses
Tthe
statement from the General Assembly of the National Council of Churches USA
and Church World Service opposing all use of torture on behalf of the United
States Government. [more]
Along with The National Council of Churches, the Washington Association of
Churches joins in prayer
For those who were injured and offers its sympathy to those who lost loved
ones in the mass transit bombings in London on July 7th. Such violence
reminds us not only of our need to be ever vigilant and to bring the
perpetrators to justice; it also reminds us of our need to strenuously
pursue peace with justice. While we recognize that religion is sometimes
used to legitimize such acts of violence, we together with other mainstream
religious organizations, including many in the Muslim community, thoroughly
and unequivocally condemn such violence and enjoin all religious communities
to pursue peace in a thousand ways.
The London mass transit bombings in London Thursday will not advance the
cause of terrorists, the National Council of Churches USA said, and will
only strengthen the resolve of those who are attacked.
General Secretary Bob Edgar, National Council of Churches USA
Rev. John Boonstra, Washington Association of Churches
July 8, 2005
Issues and Statements Archives
2005 "A Call to Speak Out
on Iraq"
- June
20, 2005 - If you are a leader of your Church community and support
the sentiments expressed below and attached, please consider adding your
signature. If you are a member of a Faith Community, please encourage your
leadership to add their names and endorse the document. We hope that many
Churches will read this statement on Sunday, July 3, 2005.
2005 Note this important statement
prepared on Muslim-Christian Perspectives on the Nuclear Weapons Danger
-
June 20, 2005 - People of all faiths
are urged to endorse this statement. While it was originally developed by
Christians and Muslims, people of other faiths are invited to join them in
affirming the principles expressed in the statement.
2006 Federal Budget
Proposal Lacks Vision and Moral Consciousness
- March 4, 2005
- Our faith teaches us that we should care for, not burden those who are
most in need.
"On
Tax Fairness"
- February 25, 2005
- People are opposed to our EXISTING TAX SYSTEM because it is unfair
and because their children and loved ones suffer because of it.
Reflections on the Valley of the Dry Bones from Ezekiel
Health
Care Crisis
- February 17, 2005
- We believe all residents should have access to quality
and affordable health care. This conviction is at the core of all
religious traditions.
God's
Mandate
- February 11, 2005
- Washington State Religious Leaders Tell President,
Congress: Protecting God’s Creation is a Moral Issue, Denounces Clear
Skies Initiative as Moral Violation
Crisis
in Sudan
- August 3, 2004
- A Unity Statement and Call to Action in response to the massive
humanitarian and human rights crisis in Darfur, Sudan. The purpose of the
statement and of the newly formed Coalition is to raise public awareness
and to mobilize North Americans and members of the international community
to respond to and help end the atrocities that threaten the lives of two
million people in the region.
National Governor's Meeting in Seattle
- July 29, 2004
- People Vs. Politics - Report on action at the the National Governor's
Meeting -Rally gathered youth, disabled folks and 2000 other activists
outside the Westin.
Environment
- May 2004 -
An Interfaith Call for Global Climate Justice
Iraq
- Feb. 21,
2003 - World Council of Churches states "Stop threats of war on Iraq!"
- Sept 19, 2002
- Breaking our Silence! Standing in firm opposition to war against Iraq.
Ecumenical Statement by Religious Leaders in Washington State
Afghanistan
September 11, 2001
|
