My name is Chansoo Lee. I am the pastor of this church: Sunnyhills United Methodist Church.
Our church committee on the Community Breakfast, where the Sunnyhills Neighborhood Association is represented, invited the Coalition to host this month's breakfast, and there are several reasons.
The Community Breakfast has a long history of being a public forum whose purpose is to inform and educate people on various issues that can have great impact on the welfare of their community. And the committee understood the proposed expansion of Walmart operation was such an issue and recognized the importance of providing an opportunity where communal perspectives are shared, facts are laid down, and real stories are told by those whose life would be affected most.
Our congregation voted in December last year to oppose the proposed Walmart expansion plan, and I personally find it consistent with the teachings in the Bible.
For instance, we believe justice, compassion, and truth are also the core values of the teachings in the Bible. Our congregation adopted a mission statement for this year and the statement is also rooted in these three core values -- justice, compassion, and truth.
Our tradition to oppose is also consistent with the history of this church; the majority of the founding members of this church came from the workers at the Ford Motor Company 50 years ago. And they faced racial discrimination when they tried to own their own homes and establish their family life in this very neighborhood. Quakers at that time came to help them in their struggle against this racial segregation. Supporting efforts to fight social injustice has been an important part of our history here.
And our opposition is also consistent with our denomination’s vision. As a denomination, "the United Methodist Church has a long history of concern for social justice. Its members have often taken positions on controversial issues involving Christian principles. Early Methodists expressed their opposition to the slave trade, to smuggling, and to the cruel treatment of prisoners." (see http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?mid=1686)
The United Methodist Church has adopted 'Social Principles' that are reviewed every four years for inclusion in its Discipline. Since 1972 the term 'Social Creed' has been reserved for a brief statement that is suitable for use in Sunday worship service and is included in the Methodist Hymnal that we use every Sunday. And one part of that creed is
We (United Methodist Church members) commit ourselves to the rights of men, women, children, youth, young adults, the aging, and people with disabilities; to improvement of the quality of life; and the rights and dignity of all persons.
We understand what kind of impact loss of employment can have on people's lives.
As far as Walmart is concerned, the United Methodist Church has made efforts to have Walmart improve its labor practices overseas, in terms of wages and working conditions. But as far as the practices in the US, it has not taken any position. Based on my limited research, I understand that the United Methodist Church has some Walmart stock in its investment portfolio.
We believe both the welfare of workers and the welfare their communities are far more important than the welfare of corporations.
I have participated in the meetings of the Coalition. In those meetings, I have personally witnessed that the Coalition is not trying to demonize Walmart. Rather, the Coalition is trying to protect the welfare of the workers and communities.
I hope the efforts of this Coalition will continue and evolve in such a way to help improve the overall labor practices in Milpitas and the welfare of the community.