| Peace/Justice/Whole Earth Ministry |
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Mission StatementWe acknowledge that peace, justice and care for the whole earth is God's plan for all creation in that our world has finite resources. As God offers all people the special gift of peace through Jesus Christ, we are called to deal justly with one another and the earth, for there is no peace without justice. As stewards of the earth, we are called to be a caring people, living in harmony with the environment, respecting and honoring the gifts of God's creation with gratitude for all that we have received. Knowing that future generations depend upon us, we seek opportunities to make a significant impact and difference on social and environmental issues in the home, church, community, state and world through education, worship, and specific projects. Plans for 2010Peace, Justice and Whole Earth (PJWE) ministry plans to support the following projects and programs: Biloxi Mission Trip rummage sale, Housing First (furnishing another apartment), OUR Center meals, Jail Ministry, Bridges Out of Poverty, English as a Second Language and St. Vrain Adult Learning programs. After a summer hiatus, the Ministry will resume its monthly meetings on Wed., Sept. 15, at 1:30 p.m. in Room 10. For details on this active ministry, contact any of the current members (Marilyn Decker, chairperson; Claudia Brown, Marian Parsons) through the ministry's e-mail address, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . "The Face of Poverty"In March, the Ministry sponsored a photo exhibit titled "The Face of Poverty" by Longmont photographers Jon Clarke and Amy Weinstein. The exhibit was hung in the Fireside Room from March 7 through the end of the month. Earth Day - Integrity of Creation Sunday - April 18"Earth Day/Integrity of Creation Sunday" on April 18, included blessing the wooden Peace Pole created and donated by Fred Kueffner, newly installed near the bell tower in the church courtyard. Other areas around the church blessed that day include the planned garden area west of the James House, the bike rack by the church office, the flowering almond bush on the south side of the Fellowship Hall wing, and the rose garden. During the fellowship hour, PJWE members led by Marilyn Decker provided the opportunity to "make your own" environmentally-friendly cleaning products. A poster listing recycling opportunities in the Longmont area was prepared by Mike Holdaway. See http://www.ucclongmont.org/content/documents/Bulletin.IntegrityofCreation041810.pdf for the April 18 Earth Day order of worship.
Housing FirstOpportunities to Help the Previously Homeless in our CommunityJanet Walker-Ready of Housing First gave PJWE Ministry a list of things that anyone in the church could do during the summer to help the previously homeless people who are now in apartments but who are having a hard time dealing with loneliness: buy National Parks passes or fishing licenses, or provide money for food for a summer picnic in a park (Housing First will plan). Make checks to FCCUCC and specify in the memo portion "Housing First - National Parks Pass or fishing license or picnic" (whatever you prefer to sponsor or let Housing First decide). In May 2010, Peace/Justice/Whole Earth (PJWE) Ministry led by Marilyn Decker coordinated the complete furnishing of an apartment for a homeless person through Housing First, a program of the Boulder Shelter in partnership with Boulder Housing Partners, serving homeless people in Longmont as well as Boulder. Donations were collected in the church Lounge and moved to the new apartment by Housing First on May 24. In May 2008, the church collected and delivered all the furnishings for an apartment for a formerly homeless person. "JL" is the 29th homeless person that Housing First had helped. He had been homeless for 8 years and sober for 2 years. He now has a 1 bedroom, 1 bath apartment that is fully furnished with kitchen items, housekeeping supplies, and furniture. Housing First believes that getting a homeless person into an apartment, then working on whatever issues led to the homelessness leads to greater success. In the future we hope to assist others in this process. PJWE Takes a Stand for the EnvironmentPJWE took a stand for the environment in Longmont concerning the Kinetics and Heavenfest events scheduled at Union Reservoir. Marilyn Decker read the following letter to Mayor Baum at Longmont's City Council meeting in January, 2010: http://www.ucclongmont.org/content/documents/MayorBaumLetter012710.pdf On-line Resources Eco-Justice Notes - The E-mail Newsletter of Eco-Justice Ministries |
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