Evangelism
Social Justice Action Small Group
Our goal is to educate the congregation on issues of public policy and social justice.
We encourage advocacy for the poor and disadvantaged, who have no voice, and promote ecological justice for our earth community.
We meet monthly to organize efforts to engage the congregation in advocacy, Fair Trade, letter writing for Bread for the World, and other projects.
Our current projects include:
Bread for the World
A collective Christian voice urging our nation's decision makers to end hunger at home and abroad. We are writing on behalf of the poor and as Christians we are called to do that.
The legislators believe that every letter represents the opinion of about 100 people so letter writing is both effective and important.
On April 25, 2010 we wrote letters to our senators and congressmen to extend tax credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Care Tax Credit, both of which are up for renewal this year. These credits help low-income working families struggling to put food on the table. Nearly 1 in 4 children belong to these families.
Fair Trade
To promote the sale of Fair Trade coffee and other items which help small farmers by eliminating middlemen. Fair Trade also helps the environment by protecting the rain forest from clear cutting, and encourages farmers to engage in sustainable production methods.
We will be selling Fair Trade items four times a year. If you are interested in ordering items at other times, please call Jean DeMarco at 434-589-5165.
Click here for more information on Fair Trade and why it is so important...
Advocacy on the state level
Advocating through the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy.
Advocacy Days
We recently completed two advocacy days in Richmond, speaking to our legislators and attending educational sessions on state legislation policy.
Gleaning for the Food Bank
On Saturday, September 26, 2009, a small team consisting of Jan, Paul, Marilyn Crowther, Stacy, Sierra, Laurel Williams and Jean DeMarco gathered at Fruit Hill Orchard to glean apples one last time this season. They gleaned 16 bags and 2 boxes of apples, which Jan delivered to the area Food Bank on Monday morning. Many thanks to all these folks, but especially to Jan and Paul who led the group on Sunday. The Food Bank was very appreciative of everyone's help and donations.