Jeri Rayford and her family, grieving the loss of Prentis,  for God's loving presence, strength, and support in their bereavement;

Jody Brockett and her family, grieving the loss of Jody's mother Jeanne, prayers for the family to feel God's comfort and peace;

The Saunders - Burr Family, for God's love and comfort to be with them as they mourn the loss of Sue's beloved father, Ron Saunders;

Kelsey Lopin, for continued flourishing, creativity, and energy as she pursues her education and excels in art;

Andrea Proster, sister of Nancy Elberg, for complete healing, and for Nancy to continue to feel God's abiding presence in companioning her;

Our students, as they prepare for exams, graduation, and next steps;

The hungry, especially all those depending on the US government for food aid here and abroad;

Those fearing loss of medical insurance, for accurate information and honest, humane decision making by our leaders in Congress;

Those living in the shadows and fearing deportation, for safety, security for their families and children, a path to citizenship, and sanctuary;

Our country, for a way forward where we live our values of justice and equality for all people; for a well-informed citizenry; for government of, by, and for the people, with leaders of integrity, and for an end to hate crimes;

The refugees and displaced , almost 1 out of 100 people in the world today, for safety, homes, the basics of life, and freedom from being scapegoated;

The PC(USA), for the way forward to be illuminated, and for our mission and ministries to be salt and light for the world;

     

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PC(USA) United Nations Office staff

These changes include:
1. Requiring a 1% ownership (of total market capitalization) of a company over a three-year period in order to be eligible to submit a proposal.
2. Increase the threshold to refile a shareholder proposal in subsequent years to 6% of the vote in year 1 (from 3%); 15% in year 2 (from 6%); and 30% in year 3 (from 10%).
3. Prohibit the submission of proposals on behalf of a shareholder (what the bill refers to as "filing by proxy").

The current shareholder proposal process effectively facilitates communication between shareholders and companies. It allows the PC(USA) and other entities, large and small, an opportunity to communicate directly with corporations and raise issues of concern and draw corporate management's attention to what are often unmanaged risks. The process has successfully led to reforms in the interest of shareholders and provides a means to hold corporation management accountable to shareholders - the company's owners. Changing the rules would make it impossible for PCUSA and the Committee on Mission Responsibility through Investment to engage with large companies and file shareholder resolutions, which do things like ask companies to report on their climate change planning efforts and provide staff training on how to recognize victims of human trafficking.
In 1971, the 183rd General Assembly affirmed that church investment is an instrument of mission and includes theological, social and ethical considerations. Church investors work in pursuit of peace, racial justice, economic and social justice, and in the establishment of environmental responsibility. MRTI is instructed to work toward these goals by seeking aligned investment opportunities; exercising stockholder obligations and raising questions in appropriate forums; and evaluating company policies with respect to these mission areas. This work becomes almost impossible without access to shareholder meetings and company leadership.

Reach out to members of Congress on the House Financial Services Committee  and Senators on the Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs and encourage them to oppose the suggested changes to the shareholder proposal process currently included in Section 844 of the Financial CHOICE Act 2.0. Ask your elected officials to oppose any attacks on the shareholder proposal rule and to support shareholder rights.

Church World Service Ecumenical Advocacy Days

from the Presbyterian News Service

PC(USA) United Nations Office staff

Hundreds of clergy and lay leaders headed for Capitol Hill this week, urging Congress to reject what they called the President's "sinful and immoral" federal budget proposal. The group is opposed to increased Pentagon spending and used the opportunity to voice their objections.

The group held a prayer vigil and news conference on the hill on Monday, wrapping up the annual three-day Ecumenical Advocacy Days gathering in Washington, where Christian denominations gathered for wo rship and workshops around important national and world issues. This year's theme was "Confronting Chaos, Forging Community-Challenging Racism, Materialism and Militarism."

The Rev. Jimmie Hawkins, director of the PC(USA) Office of Public Witness, was among those speaking at the vigil. He said Congress should increase funding for programs that support people living in poverty in America and abroad, address systemic racism and exercise responsible care for the earth.

"Budgets can do great good when put to the service of the poor, or they can do great harm," he said. "When implemented with compassion and vision, they can lift millions out of poverty or doom them to a life of despair. They can provide health insurance or make bankrupt, those who do not have it. They can fuel wars or promote peacekeeping and diplomacy."

	Learning about sweatshops in the Adams Parlor

The faith leaders also oppose any financial resources going to private prisons or the border wall.

"Some of our leaders worship the false gods of money and power," said Patrick Carolan, executive director of the Franciscan Action Network. "We need to remind them that they will be judged by voters and by God."

After the news conference, seven faith leaders were arrested in an act of civil disobedience including Carolan, the Rev. Traci Blackmon, Bob Cooke, Doug Grace, Elizabeth King, Eli McCarty and Scott Wright. The seven were arrested as they knelt in prayer in the Hart Senate Office Building.

"Christ began the passion week with civil disobedience, which leads with arrest and crucifixion and ends with resurrection," said Blackmon. "We stand in this season, unified in rejection of this budget, committed to be the hands and feet of God, steadfast in our commitment to the least of these."

"In 2017, we have been drawn together at Ecumenical Advocacy Days to challenge racism, militarism and materialism," said Hawkins. "We reflect God's call to love our neighbor through our advocacy for a budget that advances the common good and builds toward the beloved community God intends."

Wil would like you to know that this month he will be moving to Alma Via in Terra Linda.  YES, he still plans to come to church! He will have a new phone number and it's a cell phone! At Alma Via, he'll have 3 meals a day, and so now he'll be inviting US to eat with him!   

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