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 TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

COMMISSION ON CHURCH AND SOCIETY

The United Methodist Church has a long history of concern for social justice.  This history has its roots in John Wesley's admonition to reform the continent and to spread scriptural holiness across the land.

The United Methodist Church has adopted statements of Social Principles in the following areas and included them  in the 2000 Book of Discipline.

the Natural World
The Nurturing Community
The Social Community
The Economic Community
The Political Community
The World Community

The full statements on social justice issues are available in brochures located in the narthex of the church.

The Methodist Church has taken a strong stand on questions of war and peace.  "We believe that war is incompatible with the teachings and example of Christ.  We reject war as an instrument of national foreign policy and insist that the first moral duty of all nations is to resolve by peaceful means every dispute that arises between or among them" This statement was recently reaffirmed by 96 current and retired Methodist Bishops.

 

USEFUL AND INFORMATIVE WEB  SITES  FOR  CHURCH  MEMBERS

The United Methodist Church General Board of Church and Society http://www.umcgbcs.org Presents position papers of the Board on social issues.

General Board of Discipleship of the United Methodist Church http://www.discipleshipresources.org

Helping churches fulfill their mission with resources for Christian formation and leadership development.

The United Methodist Church (Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors) http://www.iaumc.org/index

Web site for the Iowa Methodist Church with information, news and links to other sites.

Advocacy Ministry of the Iowa United Methodist Church http://www.iaumc.advocate

Inez Dawes serves as the Conference Advocate on social issues.   She lobbies with the Legislature and educates churches on social issues.

The Waterloo District of the Iowa Methodist Church http://www.iaumc.org/html/wat/index.html

Our Mission:  The purpose of he Waterloo District is to celebrate, serve and enhance the ministries of each local church as it enlists and develops disciples for Jesus Christ.

Waverly

http://www.waverlyia.com/dir

Information about Waverly and community organizations

League of Women Voters http://www.dnet.org

Encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government and works to increase understanding of major public policy issues.

The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/

Regarded as the most outstanding newspaper in the United States for

coverage of national and international news.

The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com-newsfront

The leading newspaper in the Washington, DC area for coverage of

political issues.  Widely read by elected officials.

Common Dreams

http://www.commondreams.org

Archives of past press releases from Americas progressive

community.

Common Cause

http://www.commoncause@aol.com

Citizens working to end special interest politics and to reform

government ethics.

The Interfaith Alliance

http://www.interfaithalliance.org

People of faith working for justice in public policy

Truthout, news and politics

http://www.truthout.com

Promotion of alternative views on news and politics

Public Integrity

http://www.publicintegrity

Working to promote integrity and responsible government

People for the American Way :  http://www.pfaw.org To promote support for basic American values.

Americans United of the Separation of Church and State http://www.au.org/

To promote and defend reason, science and freedom of inquiry in all areas of human endeavor

Move On

http://www.moveon.org

To promote democracy in action.   A grassroots catalyst to involve

citizens in politics.

Voting Rights Institute http://www.nvri.org

Legal center for campaign finance reform

Jubilee USA Network

http://www.jubileeusa.org

A network of over sixty faith based, labor and citizen organizations

seeking to cancel debt burdens of the world's impoverished countries.

Self Help International

http://www.selfhelpinternational.org

To carry on the vision of Vern Schield by "Sowing Seeds of Self-Reliance" through projects such as micro-credit programs in Ghana and the introduction of QPM seed in Nicaragua.

Bread for the World

http://www.bread.org

A Christian voice for ending world hunger.  Advocates for legislation

that addresses the problems of world hunger.

Heifer International

http://www.heifer.org

Focuses on helping the world's undernourished poor develop he means

to feed themselves.