Justice News:  June 30, 2010          

INDEPENDENCE  DAY  EDITION  

Reflection:  “We accept responsibility for enlarging our horizons, embracing a global consciousness, and living in fidelity to the truth that all is one.”   (SSJ Strategic Plan 2008)

Embracing a global consciousness this week…

POVERTY:  The unemployed don’t have much to celebrate this Independence Day.   Last week the Senate failed for the third time to pass HR 4213, the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act. Please ask your Senators once again to make decisions which will promote the common good, rather than the welfare of corporate special interests. Take action.

IMMIGRATION: In solidarity with our immigrant brothers and sisters who are seeking “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” in the United States, urge Congress to reform our broken immigration system. Take action.     New Jersey:  The residents of New Jersey are participating  in the Isaiah Solidarity Vigil and Fast for Arizona this week. Sign up for ½ hour of prayer:  http://changetakesfaith.org/nj/ A New Jersey statewide day of action for immigration will take place at various locations throughout the state on July 1st.  For more info go to: http://www.politicanj.com/tag/rally/

ENVIRONMENT: Please tell your senators to pass a strong, comprehensive climate and energy bill this year. The American Power Act, introduced by Senators John Kerry and Joseph Lieberman, is a bill that could become a part of science-based, comprehensive climate and energy legislation that not only curbs global warming but also transitions the United States to a clean energy economy, breaks our dependence on oil, and puts Americans back to work. Take action.

Change for Global Change:  Every 8 seconds a child dies from contaminated water… and we’re helping to change that situation in our world.   Since the last justice hotline we received $4,525.93 in donations bringing our current bank account balance to $24,396.77.  Grant applications for Change for Global Change will be available on our website by Friday: http://ssjphila.org/JusticeResources.html

SUSTAINABILITY tip of the week: On the way to Cape May…As you know from previous communications, we are encouraging carpooling to Cape May as a way of curbing our gas emissions and have begun using cloth napkins as we move to “almost zero waste”.   Cloth napkins are available at Cape May but you can help the cause by bringing your own cloth napkin when you come for retreat/vacation.  We live our SSJ mission by living in right relationship with our planet, Earth.

Our response to the hotline appeals for phone calls, letter writing, visits to elected officials and participation in vigils and marches are significant ways that each of us can “strengthen our corporate voice for justice” and “our participation in partnerships that work for systemic change”. Thank you for your actions that keep us faithful to this Chapter 2004 commitment, our Strategic Plan, and the SSJ Values we articulated at Chapter 2009.