Justice
... and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8)
You don’t have to be part of our church to work with us to help others!
Let us know how you’d like to help socialministry@stpaulsteaneck.com
The Social Ministries Team provides opportunities to work together to bring God’s Justice to the world. We feel called by God both to pray “Your Kingdom come” and to work for God’s Kingdom of Justice. Our team emphasizes Economic Justice, including Fair Trade, Hunger, Homelessness, Health, Environment and Immigrant Detention working through charity, accompaniment and advocacy ministries.
NEWS
On November 19, 2011, 4:00 PM, we will co-host with Pathways our second annual Transgender Day of Remembrance (www.transgenderdor.org) Memorial & Candlelight Vigil, to pay tribute to victims of transphobia while remembering all those in the transgender community who have violently lost their lives in years past. Please join us. It is our fervent hope that there will come a day when these memorial services will no longer be necessary. Till that time it is vital we bring attention to this turbulent loss of life.
Social Ministries Calendar 2011 - 2012
2011
Sun, October 9, 12:30 PM – Carpool to Rally for more humane treatment of local immigrant detainees: “Redefining Cruel & Unusual: Opposing Immigrant Detention for Profit amid Toxic Waste” www.irate-firstfriends.org
Sun, October 16 – Bread for the World Sunday – Renewing our commitment to advocate on behalf of people who face hunger – ask Congress to provide a “Circle of Protection” around programs for people in poverty www.bread.org
Sat, November 19, 4 PM, Pathways & St. Paul’s Transgender Day of Remembrance Memorial & Candlelight Vigil to pay tribute to victims of transphobia – guest speakers, music, candlelight memorial. www.transgenderdor.org
Sun, Nov 20 – HIV/AIDS Sunday – AIDS continues to grow here in our own country and around the world. While many mistakenly believe this problem is “taken care of” through medication and outreach, prevention and knowledge is still in short supply. http://www.elca.org/Our-Faith-In-Action/Justice/Poverty-Ministries/HIV-and-AIDS.aspx
Sundays November 27 – December 18 – Advent Malaria Campaign – Pregnant women and babies like Mary and Jesus are at increased risk of dying from Malaria. We will learn why this disease is spreading in Africa, and what we can do to help. www.elca.org/malaria
2012
Sun, January 29 – Reconciling in Christ Sunday – Join us in worship to celebrate the witness to God’s love for persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities. www.lcna/ric
Sundays February 5 – Souper Bowl Sunday – Bring food items & cash or checks for the Center for Food Action – the need for help is even greater than in past years. www.cfanj.org
Sundays February 22 – April 1 – Lent World Hunger Campaign – ELCA World Hunger is a comprehensive and sustainable program that uses multiple strategies—relief, development, education, and advocacy—to address the root causes of hunger and poverty. ELCA World Hunger responds to neighbors around the corner and around the world. www.elca.org/hunger
Sunday, March 18 – Bread for the World Offering of Letters – We will write letters to Congress in support of people in hunger as our offering to God.
To be scheduled – provide 2 “Walk-In-Dinners” in Hackensack for our needy neighbors, through Family Promise of Bergen County. www.bergenfamilypromise.org
Every Sunday -- Collect food items for the Center for Food Action www.cfanj.org and sell fair trade coffee and tea www.lwr.org/fairtrade
Helpful Links for Social Ministries Programs
Advocacy to Government www.elca.org/advocacy
AIDS/HIV www.njbuddies.org & www.worldaidscampaign.org
Center for Food Action www.cfanj.org
Conference on Congregational Ministries www.njsynod.org
Disaster Relief www.ldr.org
Earth Day www.elca.org/caringforcreation
Fair Trade www.lwr.org/fairtrade
Food Pantry www.cfanj.org
Health Kits www.lwr.org
HIV/AIDS www.njbuddies.org & www.worldaidscampaign.org
Homeless www.bergenfamilypromise.org
Immigrant Detention Center in Elizabeth www.irateweb.org
Immigration www.lirs.org
Lutheran World Relief www.lwr.org
NJ Synod www.njsynod.org
Offering of Letters www.bread.org
Reconciling in Christ Sunday www.lcna.org
Refugees www.lirs.org & www.un.org
Souper Bowl of Caring www.souperbowl.org
Stamp Out Despair www.irateweb.org
Welcoming ALL sexual orientations and gender identities – www.lcna.org
World Hunger www.elca.org/hunger