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As the only statewide ecumenical agency in South
Carolina, SC Christian Action Council represents a
partnership of 17 denominations and 22 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.
| COMPLEX 2030 |
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The South Carolina Christian Action Council (SCCAC)
with the National Religious Partnership on the
Nuclear Weapons Danger is campaigning against
build-up of nuclear weapons. Other state church
councils also working on this issue include California,
Texas, and New Mexico. The following comes from
Friends Committee on National Legislation. For more
from Friends click here
The national administration has developed a $150
billion plan to rebuild the nation's nuclear weapons
capabilities and to develop the first new nuclear
warhead in over two decades. This new plan,
called "Complex 2030" for the date by which the
program would be completed, is a reversal of the
goals of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
The underlying premise of international efforts to stop
the spread of weapons of mass destruction is that the
U.S. and other nuclear weapons states will also work
to reduce their own stockpiles. Building the next
generation of nuclear weapons could reignite the
arms race and pose an increased threat to our planet.
The new plan also threatens U.S. and international
security by undermining calls for other countries such
as Iran and North Korea to halt efforts to develop
nuclear weapons.
The administration claims that Complex 2030 is
needed to reduce the U.S. nuclear weapons
stockpile, when in fact, it will increase capacity
to build nuclear weapons. NNSA argues that by
creating a new pit facility, it will feel confident in its
ability to produce new nuclear weapons when
needed, and can downsize the existing stockpile.
However, the U.S. government already has an
obligation and capability to dismantle its nuclear
warheads without the construction of a new pit
facility that would enable increased warhead
production.
Under the Strategic Offensive Reduction Treaty
(SORT) signed with Russia in 2002, the U.S. is
committed to reducing its nuclear weapons arsenal to
between 1,700 and 2,200 deployed strategic
warheads
by the end of 2012. The Complex 2030 plan is not
necessary for complying with SORT.
The administration is seeking funds for Complex
2030 for the first time in its fiscal year 2008 (FY08)
budget request. The Energy Dept. (DOE) has
concealed the cost of initial design and research for
Complex 2030 in multiple existing program accounts.
Concerned citizens have played a central role in the
past curbing the nuclear arms race and preventing
nuclear war. A similar movement is needed today.
Here's what you can do:
Communicate with your members of
Congress. Urge
them to eliminate funding for Complex 2030 and the
new pit facility in the FY08 budget.... Members of the
House and Senate Armed Services Committees, and
the House and Senate Energy and Water
Appropriations Subcommittees will play a key role in
decisions on the future of Complex 2030.
To find out who your Congressional members are and
the committees on which they serve click here.
Write a letter to the editor of your local paper
explaining the dangers of rebuilding the Nuclear
Weapons Complex and producing new nuclear
weapons.
Educate your friends and
family. Numbers do
make a difference, and legislators will be more
inclined to vote your way if they feel a groundswell of
support exists for a particular measure or issue. Help
create this momentum by educating your community.
Many national denominational leaders have signed on
in support of this Campaign Against Nuclear
weapons.
To join the Faithful Security Network click here
.
SCCAC hopes to gather 1,000 or more
signatures in
support of this campaign. If you are willing to
gather
signatures in your community or places of work and
worship, please email us so we can get the
information to you. Send me an
email
SCCAC is making plans plans to host an
educational event before the summer. More
information will be provided as plans take shape. If
you are willing to host or volunteer on this event, let us
know.
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| Support YOUR South Carolina Christian Action Council! |
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Advocating for social justice,
Bringing together persons of different faiths and
holding differing positions on issues for dialogue,
Worshipping ecumenically, sharing the faith
traditions we hold dear and learning others,
Providing--by example and voice--a model for
meaningful and full relationships across social and
racial barriers.
Together we address these opportunities.
With your support, YOUR Council will continue to
serve our state as a witness to the oneness for which
our Lord Jesus Christ prayer.
Click here to donate NOW!
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| Community News and Events |
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March 5. Immigration Policies in the American
Continent.Presenters: Arq. Pierina Correa,
Coordinator of Immigrants Ecuador; Guido Arochi,
representative of the Mexican Consulate; Dr. Elaine
Lacy, USC; Dr. Jorge Camacho, USC; Dr. David Linna;
USC. 5:30-8:00 PM, Student Senate Chambers,
Russell House, 3rd floor. Reception following. Free
and open to the public,
March 6, 13, 20, 27: Lay School of
Religion. Lutheran Theological Southern
Seminary. Choice of one of the following
courses: "The Making and Meaning of our Bible," Dr.
Charles Sigel, NT Prof. Emeritus, Southern
Seminary. "Iconography," Fr. Thomas Moore, Priest-in-
Charge, Holy Apostles Orthodox Church. "Personality
Type," Rev. Harvey Huntley, Jr. and Sandra Holland,
AIM, both on the staff of Region 9-ELCA. For more
information and downloadable registration form click
here.
State Superintendent's Town Hall Meetings
(continued): A Call to Action for Quality
After School Programs.
March 6, 6:00 PM. USC Aiken
March 7, 7:00 PM. Beck Academy, 901 Woodruff Rd.,
Greenville
March 12, 7:00 PM. Charleston, location TBA
March 19, 7:00 PM. Rock Hill, location TBA
Wednesdays through April 4. Lenten Lunch
Series, Ladson Presbyterian Church.Noon-
1:00 PM. Theme: "Preparing for the Promises of
the Cross." 1720 Sumter St., Columbia.
Fellowship meal provided after service. Co-sponsored
By Eastminster and Ladson Presbyterian Churches.
March 10-11 Low Country Pow Wow and
Cultural
Festival, New Location: Exit 33 off of I-95
Point
South/Yemassee, SC. Host Hotel is Knight’s Inn.–
843-726-8488. Signs will be posted. Contact Mike
Benton at 843-784-2866 work 843-784-2233
March 13-14 Experiencing God's Kingdom
in our Neighborhoods. Faith-based
Neighborhood Partnerships Conference. Brookland
Baptist Church, 1066 Sunset Blvd., W. Columbia.
Registration information via
email.
March 24 Dying to Live: A Migrant's
Journey. View documentary and join
discussion. 1:00-4:00 PM. Fellowship Hall, St. Andrew
Lutheran Church, 1416 Broad River Road, Columbia.
Contact person: Sandy Jones (803) 556-8370 or via
email.
March 30-31 Edisto Pow Wow,
Ladson, SC.
Fairgrounds. Contact Anthony Davidson at 843-534-
6132.
March 30, 31 and April First Spirit Creek
American
Indian Heritage Association’s FIRST
ANNUAL BENEFIT POWWOW at the Wagon Wheel,
12831 Highway 278,Barnwell, SC Contact info: Gary
Five Crows 706-560-1794.
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Have other South Carolina community news?
Let us know via email.
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 is a sampling of Council staff engagements this
month.
- Wednesdays: Lenten Service, Ladson
Presbyterian (Doris, Brenda)
- March 14-18. State Ecumenical Executives
Gathering, San Antonio, Texas (Brenda)
- March 23. Non-Profit Leadership Institute, Francis
Marion University, Florence (Brenda)
- March 27. National Development Institute
Seminar, Columbia (Brenda)
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From Across My Desk . . . |
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In early February, it was my privilege to participate in
the first annual gathering in Pasadena, California, of
Christian Churches Together (CCT).
Mind you, denominational servants worked
together a number of years to bring about this "first"
annual gathering. There is nothing speedy about
building or re-building relationships.
The stated purposes of CCT remind Christians that
who we are together is the paramount
issue in
ecumenical life, what we do is
secondary. Those
purposes are:
1) To celebrate a common confession of faith in the
Triune God,
2) To discern the guidance of the Holy Spirit through
prayer and theological dialogue,
3) To provide fellowship and mutual support,
4) To seek better understanding of each other by
affirming our commonalities and understanding our
differences,
5) To foster evangelism faithful to the proclamation of
the gospel,
6) To speak to society with a common voice whenever
possible, and
7) To promote the common good of society and
engage in other activities consistent with its purposes.
Responding to those stated purposes and invitations
that had been advanced, the CCT table grew even as
we met as other churches and national Christian
organizations were accepted into membership.
In like manner, the South Carolina Christian Action
Council invites to our shared table those who share
the Council's vision: We envision South Carolina
as a community where people of faith unite to glorify
God through worship, social justice, peace, and
mercy; participate in the program of the Council,
and provide some level of financial support as
determined by our Fair Share Plan for Judicatory
Support.
Together the members of the Council work to build in
reunion ground for the Christian family. We pray and
work to build and protect a table where we can see
our relatedness--even in diversity and disagreement.
We who are Christian are invited by God to this feast
of family, of relationship. We are called to the difficult
work of hearing the other's story and of willingly
playing second fiddle.
Only as we learn from each other that which unites us
and understand in relation to each other that which
divides us, can we work together as the visible
witness for which our Lord prayed: "That they be One
as You and I are One."
Thank you, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of SC, for
making it possible for your state's ecumenical family
to be represented in this historic first annual gathering
of Christian Churches Together. You have contributed
to greater understanding of ecumenism, of Christian
Unity, for your Council staff.
If you are interested in knowing more about
membership in the Christian Action Council, send me an
email.
For more information on Christian Churches Together
contact the Rev. Wesley Granberg-Michaelson by
email .
And that's the view from across my desk.
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