PCU E-Newsletter

Jan 19, 2017    

 
            
Rev Jennifer McBride speaks on effective strategies for churches to engage in progressive activism -  at PCU partner congregation, Irvine United Church of Christ, Feb 17-18, for the church's annual "Faith and Works" conference - info/registration here

Solidarity with Muslims
on Inauguration Day    
Dear Progressive Christian Acvitist:
 

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out-
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out- 
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out- 
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me-and there was no one left to speak for me.
---  Martin Niemöller , German Lutheran pastor, concentration camp survivor
 
Many immigrant and minoritized groups are rightfully concerned about their status, safety, and well-being within the US, given President-Elect Donald Trump's many xenophobic and anti-Islamic public statements. As people of faith, Progressive Christians Uniting  (PCU) is mobilizing its network of members to show their solidarity and support for our Muslim brothers and sisters by attending mosques for Friday juma'a prayer on Inauguration Day, 1/20. PCU believes that it is our duty as Christians to be a faithful presence among those whom are persecuted and also provide a prophetic witness against such persecution. The above quote from Niemöller sums up our position - when any group or individual experiences socially sanctioned injustice it ultimately threatens our collective pursuit of justice. In other words, as Dr. Martin Luther King stated "injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." The following is a list of mosques where PCU members will be praying - JOIN US!
 
PCU will participate in an interfaith demonstration of solidarity and support at the Islamic Center of Southern California at 434 S Vermont in LA at 12:45. Members of First Congregational Church of LA will be present for juma'a prayers, as well.  Contact:  Rev. Timothy Murphy,  [email protected]  .
 
Progressive Christian students from the University of Southern California, members of Mt. Hollywood Congregational United Church of Christ, and people from the wider community will be at the Omar Masjid mosque at the corner of Exposition and Vermont in Los Angeles.  Contact:  Rev. Jim Burklo, [email protected]  . 
 
Progressive Christians will be present in solidarity at the Islamic Center of Irvine, 2 Truman St.  Contact:  Pastor Paige Eaves,  [email protected]  .
 
Members from Brea Congregational United Church of Christ will pray in solidarity with their Muslim neighbors at the Islamic Institute of Orange County in Anaheim, 1220 N State College Blvd, at 1 pm. Contact:  David This,  [email protected]  .
 
Progressive Christians and others from the local interfaith community, through People of Faith for Justice, will be present at the Islamic Society of the Central Coast's Mosque of Nasreen, 1136 Walnut St in San Luis Obispo.  Contact:  Gina Whitaker,  [email protected]  .
 
The Progressive Christian Forum in Santa Cruz will be present at the Santa Cruz Islamic Center, 4401 Capitola Road suite 2. Contact: Robert Strayer,   [email protected]  .
 
Members of First Congregational UCC Church of Pasadena, Northland Village Church, and the Level Ground fellowship will make a solidarity visit to Masjid Al-Taqwa mosque, 2181 N. Lake Avenue, Altadena. Contact:  Beau Wammack,   [email protected] .
 

 
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at the Women's March in downtown LA on Sat, 1/21 -
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Quote of the Week
"The question of bread for myself is a material question, but the question of bread for my neighbor is a spiritual question." -Nikolai Berdyaev, 19th-20th century Russian philosopher
 
Quoted in DEEPER LOVE: Faithful Rhetoric for Progressive Social Change - by PCU, 2015.