wfn.org | March 11-14 Advocacy Days Focus on "More Complete Moral Vision"

["Carol Fouke" <cfouke@ncccusa.org>]

Christian Groups Focus National Advocacy On A More Complete Vision of Moral
Values;
Registration Opens For 2005 Ecumenical Advocacy Days March 11-14 

Washington, D.C., January 24, 2005 -- With a new presidential term, a new
Congress and a renewed interest in how faith and politics intersect, hundreds
of Christians are planning to descend on Capitol Hill for the third annual
Ecumenical Advocacy Days for Global Peace with Justice, March 11-14.  

Participants will gather to assert to their representatives that it is time
for a new vision of U.S. policy that includes a much more complete
understanding of moral values. During the last presidential election, media
attention was focused on moral issues related to abortion and same-sex
marriage. This gathering affirms that moral values include building a just
global community that nurtures peace, alleviates poverty, and protects the
integrity of God's creation.

"At this crossroad in our nation's history, it is critical that we speak out
as people of faith against those things that we believe are immoral and
sinful. We believe that the Bible clearly mandates that we act as
peacemakers, uplift those who live in poverty and take care of God's
creation," said the Rev. Dr. Bob Edgar, General Secretary of the National
Council of Churches USA. "We will be calling on lawmakers to enact foreign
and domestic policies that reflect these moral imperatives."
 
The 2005 Ecumenical Advocacy Days will highlight the urgency of pursuing
sensible and peaceful solutions to conflicts as well as the need for aid,
debt and trade policies that benefit impoverished people worldwide. Bishop
Vashti McKenzie, presiding bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church
and the first woman to be elected to the bishop's council, and Elder Rick
Ufford-Chase, moderator of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), are among the
speakers who will address the cadre of Christian leaders and laypersons who
are expected to participate in this event.

Also addressing the participants will be Dr. Maryann Cusimano Love, a
professor at Catholic University of America and a U.S. foreign policy and
international affairs expert; and Baldemar Velasquez, the founder/president
of the Farm Labor Organizing Committee, which recently settled a labor
dispute with Mt. Olive Pickle Company following more than five years of
public action.

This year's theme, "Make All Things New," is based on God's promise, as
recorded in the Bible, "See, I am making all things new" (Revelation 21:5) --
and is developed in eight learning tracks.

Participants will attend workshops that examine U.S. policy, and options for
renewal, regarding Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America, global
economic justice, global security, eco-justice and U.S. domestic issues. In
2004, more than 600 advocates representing a wide range of churches and
organizations worldwide gathered for Ecumenical Advocacy Days. Because of
local, national and global crises, organizers are expecting an even stronger
turnout this year.

More than 30 faith-based groups (see list below) are sponsoring or supporting
this year's Ecumenical Advocacy Days, which will provide church leaders,
laypersons and others interested in advocacy with a mix of worship, music,
prayer, issue briefings, plenary speakers and advocacy training workshops,
capped with visits to U.S. Senators and Representatives or their key staff.

Pastors, ministers, seminary students, laypersons and others in the faith
community are invited to register for this exciting opportunity to connect
with peers, rededicate their efforts, and hone their advocacy skills. For
more information and to register, go to www.advocacydays.org, or email
info@advocacydays.org or call (202) 544-2350.

-end-

2005 Ecumenical Advocacy Days Sponsors and Supporters:

Africa Faith and Justice Network 
American Friends Service Committee 
Catholic Conference of Major Superiors of Men's Institutes 
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 
Church of the Brethren Witness/Washington Office 
Church World Service 
Churches' Center for Theology and Public Policy 
Churches for Middle East Peace
Episcopal Church USA
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Franciscan Friars-Holy Name Province
Franciscan Friars, OFM Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation ESC-Council
Interfaith Committee for Nuclear Disarmament
Interfaith Working Group on Trade and Investment
Jubilee USA Network
Latin America Working Group
Lutheran World Relief
Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns
Mennonite Central Committee/Washington Office
Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate Justice and Peace/Integrity of Creation
Office 
National Council of Churches USA
NETWORK: A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby
Oikocredit USA
Peaceful Ends through Peaceful Means
Presbyterian Church (USA)
Reformed Church in America
Sisters of Mercy of the Americas
Stand With Africa
United Church of Christ
United Methodist Church, General Board of Church and Society 
United Methodist Church, General Board of Global Ministries, Women's Division
Washington Office on Africa
Witness for Peace

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Media Contact: Rev. Leslie Tune, ltune@ncccusa.org; 202-544-2350 x 11
National Council of Churches USA
475 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10115
110 Maryland Ave. N.E., Washington, DC 20002
www.ncccusa.org