Home Care Workers should have Wage Protection too

Tell Your Senator: Don't Prevent Home Health Workers from Earning Minimum Wage In December of 2011, the Obama administration announced that it was proposing updates to regulations under the Fair Labor Standards Act that would ensure minimum wage and overtime protections to in-home care workers. More information about the proposed changes is available from the Department of Labor. Office of Public Witness Director, Rev. J. Herbert Nelson, submitted...

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J. Herbert Nelson thanks Senator Rockefeller for his comments on coal

Last week, Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), a fellow Presbyterian, went to the Senate floor to give a bold and important speech about coal. It's a major shift for a politician from Appalachia- see the video.Office of Public Witness Director J. Herbert Nelson sent the following letter, expressing our support and thanks, to Senator Rockefeller._________________________________________________________________________June 28, 2012The Honorable Jay RockefellerUnited States SenateWashington, DC 20510Dear Senator Rockefeller, Thank you for your bold and...

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Stated Clerk commends Supreme Court Decision on Health Care

A Statement from the Reverend Gradye Parsons,                        Stated Clerk of the General Assembly:We rejoice today as the Supreme Court rules to uphold constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act. As Reformed Christians, we believe that all people possess inherent worth as children of God, and that God’s promise of abundant life extends to all. Health coverage must be available to all persons living in the United States,...

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Faithful Alternatives to Sequestration

Recently, the Office of Public Witness joined with interfaith partners to advocate for a more faithful approach to deficit reduction.  The time is now to share your concerns about the Sequester with your members of Congress! Click here to send a message.   Faithful Alternatives to Sequestration was released by the Interreligious Working Group on Domestic Human Needs this morning at a Briefing at the Capitol.  The OPW's Representative for Domestic Poverty & Environmental Issues, Leslie Woods, was co-creator...

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Faithful Budget Prayer Service

Washington Interreligious Staff CommunityFaithful Budget Prayer ServiceOffered by the PC(USA) Office of Public Witness100 Maryland Avenue, NE, Washington, DCJune 27, 2012Since Monday, June 18, the Faithful Budget Campaign has gathered daily on the front lawn of the United Methodist Building, across from the US Capitol, for prayer vigils in solidarity with the Nuns on the Bus tour. Today's prayer vigil was offered and led by the PC(USA) Office of...

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Advocacy as Discipleship: Raise Hope for the Congo

Advocacy as Discipleship: Raise Hope for the Co...

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Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) leaders express both encouragement and concern over Supreme Court’s decision on Arizona SB 1070

Prepared to address pastoral needs in light of the law’s most controversial section being upheldThe Supreme Court has upheld the most controversial aspect of the anti-immigrant legislation adopted in Arizona. Section 2(B), the provision that permits officers conducting a stop, detention, or arrest to verify the person’s immigration status, was the only section challenged under federal preemption theory upheld by the Court. As lawyers and advocates sift through the opinion to determine its impact on state immigration laws, the Reverend Gradye Parsons,...

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Farm Bill Passes in Senate

So how did the Senate vote on the Farm Bill?The Farm Bill passed the Senate on Wednesday, June 20, by a vote of 64-35. The Senate also voted on 73 amendments to the Bill. We told you about several of these proposals in recent days, and you reached out to your Senators to make your voice heard for a fair and just Farm Bill.Let's take a look at the resulting votes for some of the issues you advocated for in the past weeks.SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as Food Stamps) was a program up for several changes in the...

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Ecumenical Advocacy Days 2013

Nourishment is one of the most basic human needs yet we face numerous challenges in securing adequate nourishment for all. Food-related issues in the U.S. and abroad are constantly among the headlines. The practices of transnational food corporations which dominate food supply chains, notably the use of industrial pesticides and factory farms, are infecting our bodies and our world. Buzz words and phrases such as “organic”, “local”, “slow food”,...

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Second Tuesday with Bill Somplatsky-Jarman

Last Tuesday, June 12, Rev. Bill Somplatsky-Jarman, Coordinator of the PC(USA) Mission Responsibility Through Investment committee, spoke at our monthly Second Tuesday briefing on the issue of faith-based investing and the Israel-Palestine conflict. Download his presentation here!...

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Office of Public Witness Director Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson II Leads Prayer Following First Ever Congressional Hearing on Solitary Confinement

Closing prayer and message given by Reverend J. Herbert Nelson, II during the religious leaders’ breaking of the fast at the National Religious Campaign Against Torture Press Conference (NRCAT). The press conference followed the first ever hearing on solitary confinement. Religious leaders participated in the 23 hour fast representing the number of hours that persons are allowed under the present law to be held in solitary confinement.Let us pray. Gracious and Eternal Creator, we thank for allowing us to stand one more time in your name. We give...

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More Farm Bill Amendments Up for Vote in Senate This Afternoon

To Have Your Say As More Farm Amendments Go Before the Senate - Call Your Senator Now!The Senate will continue voting on the Farm Bill this afternoon. In addition to a critical amendment by Senator Gillibrand to restore cuts made to SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as Food Stamps), the Senate will vote on several harmful amendments that would deepen cuts to SNAP. In addition, sustainable and equitable agriculture is also on the table. Support conservation and the next generation of American farmers. Senators...

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Raise Hope for the Congo

The militias in the DR Congo make millions of dollars yearly by trading four minerals: the ores that produce tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold. The armed groups then use this money to purchase large numbers of weapons for use in their campaign of vicious brutality against civilians. Most of these minerals ultimately end up in electronic devices such as cell phones, portable music players, and computers.   Because there is no transparency in the minerals supply chain, consumers have no way to guarantee that their purchases are not funding...

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23 Hour Fast to End 23 Hour Solitary Confinement: June 18th-19th

Torture is a reality here on U.S. soil as well as abroad. The U.S. is a world leader in holding prisoners in prolonged solitary confinement. This practice is not only cruel and inhumane, under certain circumstances it can amount to torture. “…solitary confinement is a cruel practice which causes permanent psychological damage to those who have been treated in that manner [which]…even in the absence of brutality can cause emotional damage, hallucinations,...

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