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As the only statewide ecumenical agency in South
Carolina, SC Christian Action Council represents a
partnership of 17 denominations and 21 regional
judicatories, including 4,500 congregations.
The Council serves as a catalyst for:
- Social justice through public policy
advocacy;
- Christian Unity and inter-religious dialogue
through relationships, collaborations and events;
- Racial and cultural healing by building bridges
of trust and understanding.
| Brown-Bag Lunch Discussion on Immigration |
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The Rev. Mr. Mark Cerniglia, Vice President for
Partnership Initiatives at Lutheran Family Services of
the Carolinas, facilitated our second Brown-Bag
Lunch discussion. Our topic was immigration.
We began by reviewing the current situation of
refugees and immigrants settling in South Carolina
and
across the US. 20,000,000 people live in refugee
camps around the world. From these twenty
million people, 70,000 will be allowed to resettle
in America in 2007.
Our conversation turned to the question, "what can
congregations do to help?" There are many ways to
help, and working with refugees and immigrants gives
everyone in the congregation a way to serve--from
youngest to oldest member. Many of our
denominations have a ministry on immigration and
refugees. Contact your denominational office to see
how your congregation might get involved. Rev.
Cerniglia is also willing to help connect you. You may
call him at 803.461.2623 or email him at
Mark.Cerniglia@LFScarolinas.org.
Here are some resources that were mentioned during
our conversation.
National Network for
Immigrant and Refugee Rights. NNIRR serves as
a forum to share information and analysis, to educate
communities and the general public, and to develop
and coordinate plans of action on important
immigrant and refugee issues.
A video, Dying to Live, is a profound look at
the human face of the immigrant. It explores who
these people are, why they leave their homes and
what they face in their journey. Drawing on the
insights of Pulitzer Prize winning photographers,
theologians, Church and congressional leaders,
activists, musicians and the immigrants themselves,
this film exposes the places of conflict, pain and
hope along the US-Mexico border. It is a reflection
on the human struggle for a more dignified life and
the search to find God in the midst of that struggle.
Find out more and order a copy here.
Two books were mentioned.
The Middle of Everywhere: The World's Refugees
Come to Our Town, by Mary Pipher, is the story
of how Lincoln, Nebraska, came to be the picture of
America's multicultural future. Read more here.
Coyotes: A Journey Through the Secret World of
America's Illegal Aliens, by Ted Conover. "This is
the most objective account of illegal immigration from
Mexico I've read, and one reason is that the writer —
the author of Rolling Nowhere, an account of
riding freight trains with hobos — is so subjective.
Interviews with 'experts,' ranging from an American
labor organizer to a Mexican priest, are there for
those who want sociological analysis," says T.D.
Allman in The New York Times Book Review.
Read more reviews here.
Finally, mark your calendars for Tuesday,
February
13, 2007. SC Christian Action Council will host
its
annual Advocacy Day with a focus on Immigration
issues. Join us on the campus of the Lutheran
Theological Southern Seminary, 11:30 a.m. - 4:00
p.m. Watch for more details!
AND--Join us on November 21st for the next
Brown Bag Luncheon. The topic is "Race,
Gender, and Location and the administration of the
Death Penalty in South Carolina.” Our facilitator is
Catilla Everette, Equal Justice USA Southeast Field
Organizer. Bring a lunch and join us!
Note: SC Christian Action Council recently
released its Statement on Immigration. Contact the
office 803.786.7115 or sccouncil@sccouncil.net for a
copy.
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| 2006 TEAM ornaments |
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SC Christian Action Council is pleased to offer the
2006 TEAM (The Ecumenical AIDS Ministry) Christmas
ornament.
This year’s stunning design features a brilliantly
glowing candle within a lantern, a light to dispel
darkness, adorned with red ribbon. The actual size is
2.25 x 3.2 inches, and is packaged in an attractive
commemorative box.
Please contact Doris at 803.786.7115 or
sccouncil@sccouncil.net to reserve and purchase
your ornaments. We have a limited number this
year, so order soon!
1-5 ornaments, $14.95 each.
6-10 ornaments, $12.95 each.
11+ ornaments, $10.95 each.
Contact Doris for shipping and handling charges.
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| Community News and Events |
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November 4: Installation of the President,
Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary. The
Rev. Dr. Marcus Miller will be installed at 1:00 p.m. at
Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Columbia. For a
schedule of all inaugural events this weekend, click
here.
November 4-5: Investiture of Presiding
Bishop. Washington National Cathedral. The
Episcopal Church will welcome Katharine Jefferts
Schori as its 26th Presiding Bishop. Find out more here.
November 5: Midlands Area Crop Walk
Against Hunger. Beginning at Finlay Park at 2:30
p.m. Click
here for more information.
November 7: Election Day. Go vote!
For more information about the upcoming
election,candidates, referendum questions, your
districts and voting locations, visit the South
Carolina Election Commission.
November 9: Public hearing. The
Department of Energy will hear from the public about
its plan to resume weapons production in North
Augusta, South Carolina. North Augusta Community
Center, 495 Brookside Avenue. 11 a.m.--3 p.m. and
6--10 p.m. Several groups in South Carolina and
Georgia are organizing to have people speak in Aiken
against renewed weapons production. If you would
like a ride or can drive, please contact contact Leslie
Minerd at 803-799-9297 or hipwazee@gmail.com.
November 9-10: 216th Diocesan
Convention, Episcopal Diocese of South
Carolina. North Charleston Convention Center.
Find out more here.
November 13: CBF of SC Fall
Convocation.
First Baptist Church, Clinton. Emmanuel McCall, guest
preacher. Find the schedule for the day here. Click here to register online.
November 21: Brown Bag Issues Forum.
12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Shandon Presbyterian Church,
Columbia. Sponsored by the Advocacy Work Group
of SC Christian Action Council. The topic is "Race,
Gender, and Location and the administration of the
Death Penalty in South Carolina.” Our facilitator is
Catilla Everette, Equal Justice USA Southeast Field
Organizer. Bring a lunch and join in the discussion!
Have other South Carolina community news? Let
us know at sccac@bellsouth.net.
We include information on community events as
space and time allow; and, only in accordance with
the mission and policies of SC Christian Action
Council. We do not accept unsolicited articles.
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| Comings and Goings |
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Here's a sampling of November activities for the
staff of SC Christian Action Council.
November 1: Winthrop Wesley Presentation, Rock Hill.
(Brenda)
November 4: Installation of President, Lutheran
Theological Southern Seminary. (Brenda)
November 9: Pay Day Lending Town Hall Meeting,
Rock Hill. (Brenda)
November 13: CBF Fall Convocation. (Brenda)
November 14: Meeting of SC Christian Action Council
Judicatory Executives. (Brenda)
November 16-17: Non-profit Leadership Institute,
Francis Marion University. (Brenda)
November 21: Brown Bag Lunch Discussion. (Julia,
Doris)
November 23-24: Offices closed in observance of
Thanksgiving.
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Across My Desk... |
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In 1991 the Board of the SC Christian Action Council
adopted a Statement on Government. With mid-term
elections just days away, I share most of that
statement with you.
Democratic government evolves from a covenant
between the people to be governed and those they
select to govern. That covenant is sustained only
when its agreements are lived up to by the
covenanting partners: the elected officials serving
with integrity and justice for the welfare of all
people, the citizens holding government and
legislators in high esteem and being active
participants in governing process.
God expects government to serve the welfare of
society. Those who accept positions of power in
governing also accept responsibility to care for the
people whom God has created and loves.
God has made human beings to live in
interdependence with all creation....a governing
official in this community...accept[s] the even larger
roles of both leader and servant in marshaling the
resources of the community for the common good.
The human community envisioned by God is built on
justice and mercy. Justice promotes and protects
the rights of all people with no stratification of
privilege. Mercy acts to provide the requirements of
life to those who, because of...ability or
circumstance, cannot provide for themselves....
Like all institutions dependent upon humans, including
the churches, government can and does fall short of
its highest goals....this is time for judgment, it is also
a time for tolerance, forgiveness, and renewal of
dedication.
It is true that individuals of integrity become
legislators of integrity. It is also true that the
culture and expectations of the citizens shape the
civic environment, thus influencing the charter and
sense of responsibility of legislators.
To maintain the covenant of governance at its
optimum, citizens must support the government with
discrimination, participating intelligently in the
development of public policy. Likewise, legislators
must live out the highest commitment to honesty,
integrity, and public well-being as a leaders and
servants.
We rejoice in the fact that these are the standards
of most who serve in public office in South Carolina.
We do not assume or imply that all government and
all public servants need reforming. Most are people
of good intention giving diligent effort to their jobs
and receiving the affirmation of society and church.
WE ENCOURAGE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF SOUTH
CAROLINA:
- to avoid the temptations to use public office for
self service, self aggrandizement, or self
enrichment
- to approve legislation which will:
1. limit personal and campaign contributions
2. prohibit personal use of campaign contributions,
and
3. hold contributors and lobbyists to the same
standards of accountability as legislators;
- to act with integrity on issues set before them,
avoiding the transference of responsible decision-
making to those with limited private agendas or to
traditions which are less than worthy of the
commitment of South Carolinians.
WE ENCOURAGE THE CITIZENS OF SOUTH
CAROLINA:
- to encourage men and women of honesty, of
integrity, and with commitment to human welfare to
seek and serve in public office;
- to investigate candidates for public office and not
be swayed by slogans, easy answers to complex
questions, or innuendos by opponents;
- to be actively involved in the formation of public
policy, speaking often and insightfully to legislators
about issues in deliberation; and
- to hold in high esteem the office of government
and those who give their time and abilities in public
service, and to require the office holders to be
worthy of the esteem afforded them and their offices.
...and that's the view across my desk.
Brenda Lynn Kneece
Executive Minister
(Respond to Brenda here:
bkneece@sccouncil.net.)
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