Montclair Presbyterian Church

JOIN US FOR JAZZ AND FAMILY SUNDAY! All ages will join together for Celebration and Communion on Sunday for…toe tapping. etc… Rev. Beth will do a short meditation and then lead us in writing our 6 Word Stories.
All are welcome – really!=

To view Comments, click “View Just This Post” and scroll to the bottom.

As we prepare to attend the Joining Hands Gathering August 13 – 18 we want to tell you about what we will be doing Wednesday August 15.

Sharing Global Perspectives and Building Alliances on Food, Land, Water, Trade and Extractives

Land Grabs as an emerging issue in the developing world. Economic Growth or Re-Colonization?

Led by Anuradha Mittal from the Oakland Institute

As we prepare to attend the Joining Hands Gathering August 13 – 18 we want to tell you about what we will be doing, Tuesday, August 14.

Workshop on How to Become an Effective Organizer and Advocate

Led by Sung Yeon Choi-Morrow from Interfaith Workers Justice

In a day-long training, participants will learn what organizing is and how it is different from advocacy. Participants will learn about when to use which approach and what is the most effective way to get involved in the movement for social change from a Christian perspective.

Through story-tell, role plays and case studies, we will learn how to engage in effective advocacy from a biblical perspective as well as why as Christians, we must organize.

To learn more about Interfaith Workers Justice, click here.

As we prepare to attend the Joining Hands Gathering August 13 – 18 we want to tell you about what we will be doing, Monday August 13.

Impacts of Corporate Globalization and How the Church Addresses Root Causes of Poverty

Several presenters Monday will lead workshops about how the church is addressing global issues. Let the delgates know if you have a particular interest.

Food Sovereignty versus Food Security: The Difference? Does it Matter? Yes!

Led by Andrew Kang Bartlett, Associate for National Hunger Concerns

The sharing of food is a sacred act in Christianity and all faith traditions. Add to this the commandment to love neighbor neand and far, and we are called to create food systems that reflect sacredness of food, care or creation and justice for all people involved in the food chain. What does this look like on the ground? Where is this holy food vision sprouting? The Presbyterian Hunger Program will share examples about initiatives and movements to build sustainable, just and sacred food systems.

Identifying and Addressing Human Trafficking

Led Rev. Noelle Damico, Associate for Fair Food, Presbyterian Hunger Program

Jesus came that we might have “life in its fullness”. And yet the International Labour Organization estimates at least 20.9 million people are in forced labor at any given time worldwide (June 2012). Human trafficking, a new form of slavery, is a complex phenomenon whose causes and consequences are violations of human rights. Poverty, gender discrimination, violence and conflict create the breeding ground for this crime, which is global, vicious, and profitable. Learn about trafficking and how PC(USA) is working to address human trafficking from a human rights perspective.

Eco-Justice: How Economic and Ecological Health are Intertwined

Led by Rebecca Barnes-Davies, Associate for Environmental Ministries, Presbyterian Hunger Program

In this workshop we will look at how a concept of “eco-justice” encompasses ecological, economic, and social justice for all people on a thriving earth. Particular attention will be given to how environmentl racism and classism affect economic well-being, for individuals and communities.

Faithful Living in a Global Economy

Led by Melanie Hardison, Associate for Enough for Everyone, Presbyterian Hunger Program

This workshop will explore how our faith in God calls us to live better and love deeper within the context of a global economy. The workshop includes biblical and theological reflection and practical “how to” ideas for practicing faith in everyday life, including opportunities to engage your congregation, family, and community.

For More Information about the Presbyterian Hunger Program click here.

As we prepare to attend the Joining Hands Gathering August 13 – 18 we want to tell you about what we will be doing, Monday August 13.

Impacts of Corporate Globalization and How the Church Addresses Root Causes of Poverty

Joining Hands at a Crossroads

Led by Valery Nodem and Alexa Smith, Joining Hands, Presbyterian Hunger Program, PC (USA)

The Joining Hands Initiative of the Presbyterian Church (USA) Hunger Program is a new way to mobilize people in focused campaigns to tackle systemic causes of hunger both in the United States and abroad as a witness to the wholeness of God’s creation. Rather than replicate project-based mission, the goal of Joining Hands is to organize ourselves in both the northern and southern hemispheres to campaign for change in a globalized world.

Valery and Alexa will lead participants as we consider our achievements and challenges, and where we’re headed.

To learn more about Joining Hands, click here.

Members Montclair Presbyterian Church will be attending the Joining Hands International Gathering and will report via this blog as it progresses. For more information about the conference, click here.

As we prepare to attend the Joining Hands Gathering August 13 – 18 we want to tell you about what we will be doing. For Monday, August 13

Impacts of Corporate Globalization and How the Church Addresses Root Causes of Poverty

The Role and Response of the Church

Led by Hunter Farrell, Director, World Mission, PC (USA)

In a world of increasing disparity of wealth and power — where congressional   sub-committees and corporate boardrooms can declare feast or famine over entire nations, and at a time when “mission” has been reduced to short-term trips of Christian tourism or even voyeurism on the poor — our partners around the world are urging us to go deeper and respond to the root causes of poverty rather than merely reacting to its consequences.

Our global partners have identified three critical global issues to which they need us to respond with them, in order to make a lasting difference in God’s world:

• Address the root causes of global poverty … especially as it impacts women and children;
• Share the Good News of God’s love in Jesus Christ…together with other members of Christ’s body;
• Work for reconciliation amidst cultures of violence…including our own.

Hunter will share some reflections on how Joining Hands might become a major vehicle for the Church and its partners to accomplish this very thing.

For more information about the Mission of PC (USA) click here.

Members Montclair Presbyterian Church will be attending the Joining Hands International Gathering and will report via this blog as it progresses. For more information about the conference, click here.

Watch a video about 175 years of Presbyterian Mission:

As we prepare to attend the Joining Hands Gathering August 13 – 18 we want to tell you about what we will be doing. Monday August 13

Impacts of Corporate Globalization and How the Church Addresses Root Causes of Poverty

Corporate Globalization and its Impacts

Led by Samuel Nguiffo, Founder, Center for the Environment and Development in Cameroon

Every Day, power shifts from citizens and governments to corporations. The rush for profits has   reduced the power that citizens have on making decisions that affect their lives. This session will provide participants with concrete examples of this power shift as it is taking place in Africa, detailing how it affects the lives of people there. It is imperative that we join hands together to ensure that globalization benefits us all.

For more information about the presenter click here

Members Montclair Presbyterian Church will be attending the Joining Hands International Gathering and will report via this blog as it progresses. For more information about the conference, click here.

Watch a video of Nguiffo discussing the issues in Cameroon:

During the week of August 12 – 18 Jay Gregory, Jean Norris, and Brad Hestir will be attending the Together for Justice International Gathering of Joining Hands Activists from around the world. Representatives from a dozen presbyteries of PCUSA will be meeting with representatives of partner organizations from Bolivia, Peru, El Salvadore, Haiti, Cameroon, Lesotho, South Aftrica, Egypt, Palestine, Sri Lanka, and Southern India for inspiration and collaboration concerning mutual Environmental and Human Rights goals.

This is the third such gathering in the 12 year history of Joining Hands and members of Montclair Presbyterian Church have been at all of them. We expect to meet old friends, make new ones, work with an impressive lineup of workshop leaders and speakers and help forge the future directions for Joining Hands.

Joining Hands has been called the future of Mission for the Presbyterian Church and we would like you to be part of it. Bookmark this blog and check it out frequently.  We will be posting frequently leading up to and during the Gathering. Following the gathering we will be visited by friends from out partner organization in Bolivia. You will want to know about that too and how you can meet them in person.