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!
Fighting Bigotry & Hate
Thank you to all who attended the informative session by Jordan Kadosh of the Anti-Defamation League hosted by our youth on Sunday, April 16th. Jordan addressed many questions about bigotry, hatred, and misinformation and how we can better support all who are being targeted.
Gun Violence Prevention
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 Justice Articles & Information
Take Action to End Gun Violence - PC(USA) 3-21-23
A Remarkable Exchange at the Supreme Court - A Question of Race - Dan Rather and Elliot Kirschner
PC(USA) churches are changing the world - Presbyterians Today
Abortion is also about racial justice, experts and advocates say - NPR
The Beloved Community and Gun Violence - Action Alert from PC(USA) 5-26-22
Bearing Witness - PC(USA) Black Lives Matter web page
The longtime Presbyterian talks about faith and politics with a pair of PC(USA) leaders
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
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.
