Advocacy Team

"...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

Our Faith calls us to follow the example of Jesus Christ by acting for social change to promote justice for all God's people. See full Calling Statement.

We act according to Biblical imperatives as we understand them, address issues supported by Presbyterian Church USA and support the priorities of the WGPC Mission Commission.

Our current priorities are:

  • Poverty with an emphasis of Food and Housing Security
  • Education Reform
  • Gun Violence Prevention
  • Medicaid Expansion Efforts
  • Addressing Systemic Racism
  • Voting Rights and Access

To opt into our monthly emails contact Julie Wood.
For more information on actions we support contact Beth Kazlauskas.

Learn how to advocate in the Missouri Legislature on issues you care about

WGPC member and State Representative Jo Doll joined us via Zoom in March. Watch the recording of this meeting where she explains how bills proceed through the legislative process, how you can easily track bills, and how you can submit testimony. Make your voice heard in Jeff City. It's easy!

Gun Violence Prevention

Wear Orange for Gun Violence Awareness and Prevention March June 4, 2023 - Take Action Complete Details and Links

The Beloved Community and Gun Violence - Action Alert from PC(USA) 5-26-22

Poll: Black Americans fear more racist attacks after Buffalo shooting - article from The Washington Post

Five Steps You Can Take to Stop Gun Violence

Gun Violence Prevention - How are the Presbyterians Responding? - PowerPoint from WGPC Faith Formation class

Social Advocacy Film Club

Second Tuesday of select months at 7:00pm
We will share a link to a film which centers on one of the current Advocacy Team priorities. On the second Tuesday all are welcome to join a Zoom discussion of the film  The Zoom link will be shared in the Friday Flash. Reflection Sheet

Previously viewed films:
East Lake Meadows: A Public Housing Story
Becoming Frederick Douglas
The U.S. and The Holocaust,
McCarthy
The Color of Medicine: The Story of Homer G. Phillips Hospital
The Social Dilemma
The Murder of Emmett Till
PBS Frontline Documentary Poor Kids
Other Side of the Hill

Freedom Summer
The 1965 debate between James Baldwin and William F. Buckley
Goin' Back to T-Town
John Lewis: Good Trouble
Iron Jawed Angels

Gospel and Guns: How Religion and Gun Law Intertwine in America
King in the Wilderness
Selma

Freedom Riders
Slavery by Another Name
Rigged: A Voter Suppression Handbook

Black Lives Matter

blm

America's communities of color have been hit hardest in these past weeks and months - by both the coronavirus and by catastrophic job losses. Then came the recent deaths by police officers of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Aubrey and, most recently, George Floyd. The generational systemic racism and inequities in all areas of black American lives are exposed for everyone to see.

Recognizing that as Christians, we are called to be Christ's hands, feet, and voices on earth, the Advocacy Committee recently had a difficult and courageous conversation about race and how we can lend a supportive voice to the African American community. The committee voted to show our support and our commitment to end systemic racism by placing signs in front of the church. One of them is a "Black Lives Matter" sign. Another says "End Systemic Racism" and the last says "We Stand With You."

Black Lives Matter (BLM) is both a slogan and a straightforward statement of fact. The BLM message is central to the nationwide protests happening right now - speaking out against the police brutality and the systemic racism at the root of inequities for African Americans in the areas of health, housing, economics, education, and so many more. Black Lives Matter does not mean that White Lives don't matter - it just means that Black Lives are the ones that are hurting and need attention right now. These links can be a start to our understanding:

Why you should stop saying "all lives matter," explained in 9 different ways

PBS Special: Race Matters: America in Crisis

We, as a church, cannot remain silent. Silence has become complicity. We ask for your grace as we move together through the process of educating ourselves and taking action to support our Black neighbors.

Click for more information about the Black Lives Matter organization's beliefs and a great (and free!) self paced workshop on race from the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of African American History and Culture.

If you are interested in purchasing any Black Lives Matter yard signs for $10 each, please complete and submit this form. Then submit payment to WGPC via check or online.

Once your order is received, you will receive a confirmation email and your sign(s) will be delivered and placed in your yard. You do not need to be home - we are doing contactless delivery.

Questions? Contact Julie Burchett

Listening Deeply

As part of our Faith in Real Life Adult Education Series, Dr. Sarah Riss, former superintendent of the Webster Groves School District and leader of Alliance for Interracial Dignity led an interactive session to teach us about one of the key components of conversation - how to listen and listen deeply. Click to open the Listening Deeply PowerPoint.

Stop the Bleed
Stop the Bleed
March for Our Lives
March for Our Lives
Gun Sense Event
Gun Sense Event

We seek to live Christ's love, welcome all people and joyfully serve God.