The Pathways process several years ago revealed that “social justice” is one of the three primary identities of our church. But what constitutes social justice and how should our church pursue it? Currently we take special offerings for justice-oriented programs and organizations, we participate actively in the Interfaith Rotating Winter Shelter, we conduct Contemporary Issues Forums, we cultivate Grace Garden, we promote full inclusion and radical hospitality, and we sponsor occasional gatherings and fundraising events. But could we do more?
Numerous faith communities in Sacramento pursue social justice collectively as members of Sacramento Area Congregations Together, or Sacramento ACT (http://www.sacact.org/). Our Service and Justice Committee has joined with members of other Davis congregations to explore opening an affiliate of Sacramento ACT in Yolo County. This is stimulating our Service and Justice Committee to reflect on our activities and how we should pursue social justice. As part of this reflection we plan to solicit ideas and suggestions from members of the congregation through one-on-one interviews, much like what was done in the Pathways process. The one on one process that will guide our interviews is based on the discussion by Jacobson. Here is Jacobson’s discussion. If you would like to participate in this process as an interviewer, please contact Susie O’Bryant susieobryant@sbcglobal.net or John Castelfranco johncastelfranco@att.net
Faith Based Organizing for Justice
Sacramento Act is part of the PICO Network (http://www.piconetwork.org/). The PICO website provides a wealth of information on faith-based organizing and reports of previous campaigns and future actions. In addition to the information presented on the national and Sacramento Act website and this reading, you can learn more about this type of work by joining the July Forum Book Study, The Third Reconstruction. Here is a quick guide to Rev. Barber’s Fourteen Steps Forward Together.
Jacobson, Dennis. Doing Justice: Congregations and Community Organizing, 1st Edition Paperback – April 1, 2001
