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On the Nov. 6th election |
| Remembering our right to vote
[10-31-01]
Weekly Message 2001, #34, from the UCC Justice and
Peace Action Network
Election Day 2001 holds special meaning. As we give
new thought to what it means to protect and defend democratic values in
light of the events of Sept. 11th, we will have the opportunity to live
those values as we go to the polling booth on Tuesday.
This year's elections will also mark one year's
passing since the controversy of the 2000 presidential election. There
were high public expectations for addressing crucial issues of election
reform when Congress convened in January. However, despite hearings,
citizen testimony, government reports and numerous legislative
proposals, we find ourselves no closer to addressing flaws in the
election process.
As Election Day 2001 approaches, there are at least
two ways you can contribute to strengthening the democratic process. One
is by being an informed and responsible voter on Tuesday, and
encouraging family members, friends and members of your congregation to
exercise this precious right.
A second way is to contact your members of Congress
and urge them to act now to pass necessary election reform. Congress can
still act on comprehensive election reform legislation that could impact
the next federal election. Urge your members of Congress to support the
Equal Protection of Voting Rights Act of 2001, S. 565 (H.R. 1170 in the
House), sponsored by Senator Christopher Dodd and Representative John
Conyers. The legislation sets minimum standards for states with regard
to voting equipment, training poll workers, absentee and bilingual
ballots, provisional ballots, overseas voters, and voting booth access
for the disabled.
With mail security precautions currently being
implemented in Washington, DC, faxing or e-mailing your message would be
most effective. To find out your members' fax numbers or e-mail
addresses, contact the U.S. Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121. You may
also call your members' district offices.
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This weekly message is sent by e-mail each week for
use in church newsletter and bulletins the following Sunday. To add
names to this weekly advocacy service, for more information, or to
remove your name from the list, reply to jpanet@ucc.org.
For additional information on the UCC Justice and Peace Action
Network, log on to the UCC website at www.ucc.org.
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Visit
our lively
new website! |
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GA actions
ratified (or not) by the presbyteries
A number of the most important actions of the 219th
General Assembly have now been acted upon by the presbyteries,
confirming most of them as amendments to the PC(USA) Book of Order.
We provided resources to help inform the
reflection and debate, along with updates on the voting.
Our three areas of primary interest have been:
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Amendment 10-A,
which removes the current ban on
lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender persons being considered as
possible candidates for ordination as elder or ministers.
Approved! |
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Amendment 10-2,
which would add the Belhar Confession to our Book of
Confessions. Disapproved, because as an amendment
to the Book of Confessions it needed a 2/3 vote, and did not
receive that. |
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Amendment
10-1, which adopts the new Form of Government
that was approved by the Assembly. Approved. |
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If you like what
you find here,
we hope you'll help us keep Voices for Justice going ... and
growing!
Please consider making a special
contribution -- large or small -- to help us continue and improve
this service.
Click here to send a
gift online, using your credit card, through PayPal.
Or send your check, made
out to "Presbyterian Voices for Justice" and marked "web site," to
our PVJ Treasurer:
Darcy Hawk
4007 Gibsonia Road
Gibsonia, PA 15044-8312 |
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Some blogs worth visiting |
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PVJ's
Facebook page
Mitch Trigger, PVJ's
Secretary/Communicator, has created a Facebook page where
Witherspoon members and others can gather to exchange news and
views. Mitch and a few others have posted bits of news, both
personal and organizational. But there’s room for more!
You can post your own news and views,
or initiate a conversation about a topic of interest to you. |
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Voices of Sophia blog
Heather Reichgott, who has created
this new blog for Voices of Sophia, introduces it:
After fifteen years of scholarship
and activism, Voices of Sophia presents a blog. Here, we present the
voices of feminist theologians of all stripes: scholars, clergy,
students, exiles, missionaries, workers, thinkers, artists, lovers
and devotees, from many parts of the world, all children of the God
in whose image women are made. .... This blog seeks to glorify God
through prayer, work, art, and intellectual reflection. Through
articles and ensuing discussion we hope to become an active and
thoughtful community. |
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John Harris’ Summit to
Shore blogspot
Theological and philosophical
reflections on everything between summit to shore, including
kayaking, climbing, religion, spirituality, philosophy, theology,
politics, culture, travel, The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), New
York City and the Queens neighborhood of Ridgewood by a progressive
New York City Presbyterian Pastor. John is a former member of the
Witherspoon board, and is designated pastor of North Presbyterian
Church in Flushing, NY. |
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John Shuck’s Shuck and Jive
A Presbyterian minister, currently
serving as pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Elizabethton,
Tenn., blogs about spirituality, culture, religion (both organized
and disorganized), life, evolution, literature, Jesus, and
lightening up. |
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Got more blogs to recommend?
Please
send a note, and we'll see what we can do! |
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