Led by Christian beliefs, our Presbyterian heritage and a collective desire to make the world more reflective of God's peace and justice, the Social Witness and Advocacy Task Force at Village Presbyterian Church seeks to identify priority areas for advocacy, and responds through bold and faithful education and action in our church, denomination, city, state and nation. In all endeavors, we aim to live toward God's promised day.
PREVIOUS ADVOCACY PROJECTS
In October and November 2016, we sponsored a series of Sunday morning Adult Classes in the Forum on Faith in Action at the Ballot Box. The Village Church Social Witness and Advocacy Task Force presented four classes highlighting considerations for Christians on current social issues. Oct. 16 - “How Can People of Faith Use Their Vote to Advance the ‘Kingdom of God’ Here on Earth?” Oct. 23 - “Guns on Kansas College Campuses” Oct. 30 - “Refugees and Immigration Reform” Nov. 6 - “Livable Wage/Raising the Minimum Wage” In March 2016, we sponsored a presentation on "Concealed Carry on Kansas College Campuses - What Does it Mean? by Loren Stanton from the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. Our speaker provided information regarding the Kansas law allowing concealed carry of guns in all Kansas state and municipal buildings.
In October 2015, we held a dinner/forum on immigration reform in partnership with Grandview Park Presbyterian Church, Kansas City, Kansas, AIRR (Advocates for Immigrant Rights and Reconciliation) and our friends at Colonial Church in Prairie Village. In addition to providing information on immigration issues, we provided participants a means to advocate for sensible and compassionate immigration reform. In March of 2015, we addressed gun violence in our state of Kansas. Members of the congregation signed more than 440 post cards which were sent to their state senators and representatives, encouraging those elected officials to support legislation requiring background checks for gun purchases at gun shows and through internet sales. Although such legislation did not pass in this legislative session, it was encouraging to see the outpouring of support from the congregation. We plan to continue our efforts when the legislature convenes next year.
In October of 2014, we sponsored a forum on income inequality at the church, which was attended by over 50 people. A panel of four experts discussed the issues facing individuals working for minimum wages. Attendees sent postcards to the top ten firms paying less than a livable wage, encouraging those companies to raise their employees out of poverty. We have also partnered with Stand Up KC in their efforts to raise the minimum wage in Kansas City, recently witnessing the City Council increase the minimum wage to $13 by 2020. In March of 2014, 76 members of the church joined us in the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) challenge, living on a food stamp budget for a week, thereby raising awareness of the difficulties people on assistance face.
