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Circle of Protection Releases Statement on Presidential Candidates’ Interest in Poverty Issues Recently, the Circle of Protection released, Presidential Candidates Not Talking about Surge in Poverty, a statement that discusses the apparent lack of interest among 2024 presidential candidates on the critical issue of poverty in the United States.
According to research conducted by the Circle of Protection, included in the press release, “The leading presidential candidates — Biden, Trump, Haley, and DeSantis — have not responded to repeated requests from national church leaders for brief video statements regarding what they would do to provide help and opportunity to people struggling with hunger and poverty. Three Republican candidates — Ramaswamy, Hutchinson, and Binkley — have provided statements.
The Circle of Protection coalition of church leaders released them during the Thanksgiving season, “which often focuses the country’s attention on people in need,” the statement said.
In previous presidential election years, most candidates of both parties have provided video statements on poverty. The Circle of Protection and NCC will continue to engage presidential candidates on issues of poverty. | |
Congressman Clyburn's Alerts Potential Victims of USDA Farm Loan Discrimination | |
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Dear Friends, In August 2022, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law. This legislation established the Discrimination Financial Assistance Program (DFAP), a $2.2 billion fund to provide financial assistance to farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners who experienced discrimination in United States Department of Agriculture farm lending. Eligible applicants must have experienced discrimination by USDA Farm Loan Programs prior to January 1, 2021, or currently hold or have inherited USDA farm loan debt that was subject to USDA discriminatory lending. Filing an application is free and does not require a lawyer. Please beware of unauthorized groups and lawyers seeking to file your application for a fee. The USDA is offering various opportunities to receive free, confidential technical assistance with your DFAP application. To speak with an agent or schedule an in-person appointment at the South Carolina DFAP office, call 1-800-721-0970 or email info@22007apply.gov. The South Carolina DFAP office is located at 140 Stoneridge Dr, Suite 430, Columbia, SC 29210, and can assist applicants in accessing computers, scanning documents, and completing and filing their applications. The USDA also offers online informational sessions via Zoom every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday. The deadline to apply is January 13, 2024. Payment distributions are anticipated for early 2024. Applications can be submitted online, by mail, or in person at a regional office. The Discrimination Financial Assistance Program marks a significant step forward in obtaining justice for discriminatory lending practices that left many farmers behind. I encourage all farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners who’ve faced discrimination by the USDA to take advantage of this life-changing opportunity. | |
Support the Farm Bill | |
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DID YOU KNOW? Since the pandemic, food insecurity has increased among families with children and communities of color, who already faced hunger at much higher rates before the pandemic. ~ Feeding America
A government shutdown will further exacerbate the food crisis faced by the more than 200 food banks in the Feeding America network serving every county in the country. During a prolonged shutdown, food banks will be the first, and potentially only, option for assistance for millions of people whose paychecks or federal food assistance benefits could be disrupted. On top of that, a shutdown would further delay Congress’ consideration of the country’s most meaningful food and agriculture legislation, the farm bill, which impacts nearly every federal program that helps ease the strain and stress of hunger in communities across the country. As a faith community, Feeding America is committed to addressing the issues that prevent individuals and families from being able to thrive, including access to nutritious food. Please join in taking action TODAY to ask Congress to take urgent action to ensure that the government is funded, and a bipartisan farm bill is considered—keeping federal food assistance programs strong during both deliberations. Keep working together to help all members of all communities access the food they need to thrive! | |
Armenian Christians Battle Developer to Keep Control Land in Jerusalem | |
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Members of the Armenian community protest a contentious deal that stands to displace residents and hand over a large section of the Armenian Quarter in the Old City of Jerusalem, Friday, May 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo) | |
A tiny Christian minority sitting on one of the Holy Land's most valuable pieces of real estate has rebelled against a real estate deal that would sacrifice nearly 25 percent of its land in Jerusalem.(RNS) — Amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, another battle is playing out in Jerusalem among its small but storied Armenian Christian community, their own patriarch and an Australian-Israeli businessman who is said to be set on taking over the Armenian Quarter of the Old City. Last month, things escalated as Jewish settlers aided by dogs and bulldozers disrupted a long-running sit-in in a site known as the Cow’s Garden, currently a parking lot, where businessman Danny Rothman plans to build his latest hotel. “This is land that belongs to the Armenian community for centuries,” Levon Kalaydjian, a Jerusalem-born Armenian, told Religion News Service. “This does not belong to the patriarchate, nor is it for him, the patriarch, to do whatever he wants to do with it.” Armenians have had a presence in Jerusalem since the fourth century, when Armenia became the first sovereign state to convert to Christianity. Some of Jerusalem’s Armenians trace their heritage to pilgrims who came to the holy city nearly that long ago, while others arrived from the former Ottoman Empire, fleeing the Armenian genocide in 1915 and 1916. Read the full story here. | |
Churches for Middle East Peace Update | |
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Join Pray for Peace Every Wednesday 12:30 pm - 1:00 pm ET Churches for Middle East Peace invites you to a virtual prayer gathering each Wednesday for peace in light of recent events in Gaza, Israel, and the occupied Palestinian territories. Click the link below to participate.
See all CMEP Public Statements at: cmep.org/press/public-statements • • • • • • • Join CMEP’s weekly news briefing on Thursdays from 10 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. ET. More info here. | |
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One Home One Future Hosts | |
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You are invited to gather in-person with others from your congregation, community, or family and friends to watch a screening of The Letter on December 13, from 7:00 – 9:00 pm ET, hosted by One Home One Future. The Letter documents the journey of five people from the Amazon, Senegal, India, and the coral reefs of Hawaii who received letters inviting them to a meeting with Pope Francis to discuss climate change. It tells the story of these strangers who give voice to the young, poor, indigenous and wildlife. Join us as witnesses to the connections these sojourners have to the places they call home, to each other, and to us through shared values. You will be touched and inspired to take action to care for our given and shared home and work for a bright future. | |
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Announcing Three New Friendship Press Journals Three new journals will arrive and be ready to ship next week!
If you have preorders—or want to order them! They will be shipped to you next week. | |
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Friendship Press now has Bible Journal Gift Cards! If you want to give someone a journal but don't know which they would prefer, Friendship Press has created a $25 gift card that will cover one journal plus shipping.
It's simple! Simply buy the gift card at the link below, and you'll receive a separate email with the code that you can email to the recipient or print/include with a card or note. | |
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Recent & Upcoming People's Book Releases… | |
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Employment Opportunities | |
NCC Seeks Marketing and Communication OfficerThe National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) seeks a talented professional to drive the external and internal engagement of our ecumenical, advocacy, and activist agenda. This position offers an exciting opportunity to lead and implement strategic communications initiatives, from concept to reality, aimed at promoting NCC's vision, mission, and values. The Marketing and Communication Officer will manage the organization's overall communication and marketing strategy, including written and verbal communications, media relations, social media presence, and relationship building with key contacts in Washington D.C. Joining NCC's team as a Marketing and Communication Officer offers a unique opportunity for a motivated and passionate individual to drive impactful external and internal communications strategies that advance our organization’s goals. If you are dedicated to utilizing your skills and experience to make a difference toward positive social change, NCC would love to hear from you. Job Classification Full-time exempt. Work is generally conducted Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. This is a hybrid position with at least one to two days in the office each week. Occasional evening and weekend availability may be required. Eligible for paid time off and retirement benefits. Salary range: $65,000 – $75,000. To apply, click here. • • • • • • AETH Seeks Fundraiser and Development Associate The Association for Hispanic Theological Education (AETH), a faith-based, not-for-profit organization, seeks a Fundraiser and Development Associate to build, manage, and engage prospects and donors in the United States and worldwide, especially in Spanish-speaking countries. Salary is commensurate with experience in a similar position with the potential for an annual performance-based bonus. The salary for this part-time position is $35,000.00 annually and includes no benefits. To apply, submit a resume, cover letter, and the names and contact of the three references to the Search Committee (info@aeth.org). (AETH). Please include a cover letter that explains your interest in the WETH and how your experience has prepared you for this position. The priority application deadline is December 15, 2023. • • • • • • Faith in Public Life Position Openings Faith in Public Life is hiring for a few positions and is looking for candidates who would be a good fit. Click on the links below for more information:
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