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Peace and Justice Ministries
Pasadena Covenant Church Peace and Justice Ministry Proposal to Vision to Acton II April 2006
Seeking God, Sharing God…Transforming our Community The Peace and Justice Ministry offers the following proposal to help guide Pasadena Covenant Church in continued and deepened outreach into our community. The following is an outgrowth of our desire to be obedient servants of God by sensitively interpreting God’s vision for a new season of Peace and Justice Ministry among our congregation. This proposal emerges out of approximately eighteen months of work by the Peace and Justice Ministry Team.[1] Some of the components of the process we engaged in include: v Regular prayer, listening, planning meetings, bi-weekly sessions since January ’06 and a 4 hour retreat in March. v Input gathering through individual meetings with Pasadena Church members v Exploration of new opportunities through observing and/or participating v Group discussions with leaders in local urban ministry or community involvement. v Representation at local community meetings organized by groups such as the Pasadena Affordable Housing Association, One LA, and Invest in Kids Three themes emerged and remain constant throughout this process:
He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8, NRSV)
A word study in the New King James Version for the Hebrew word SHALOM reveals these meanings: Completeness, wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, and the absence of agitation or discord. (Strong's Concordance 7965)
The 4 Hour Retreat was an intentional strategic planning effort to coalesce as a team; to develop a plan to facilitate congregational involvement; and to establish measurable outcomes for the Peace and Justice Ministry of Pasadena Covenant. Out of our time together came the understanding that while we, the current members of the Peace and Justice Team are definitely committed to and fiercely passionate about effecting justice, we need more time to conclude the processing needed to gel as a team. If Justice is to become a Pasadena Covenant Core Value; if Justice is to become as much a part of the congregation’s consciousness as “the centrality of prayer” or “multigenerational involvement:” and if we expect the congregation to heed the call to corporate action; then we the Peace and Justice Ministry Team must embody these tenets. We know that when it comes to effecting Justice, the action of one while always valuable is compounded when many join together in the same action. This is true citizenship/community building/doing church as a team: establishing priorities as a community and working together to effect change. For Pasadena Covenant, this will mean stretching ourselves and getting out of our comfort zone. For the Peace and Justice Team it means acting as leaven and modeling Corporate Action. We completed working drafts of various documents (See appendix):
The following statements from members of our team are illustrative of our desire: I want to help the church to do what God told us to do - Micah 6:8 We exist to challenge our church and city to not insulate ourselves in comfort, but to say yes to God’s call to justice. My involvement in Peace and Justice is about saying yes to God. It’s about growing in my understanding of God’s heart for the disenfranchised and allowing Him to use me to effect structural change. We want to stretch the congregation to see the poor around us as Jesus would and to respond as he guides us to….get us out of our comfort zone. Peace and Justice is for me about figuring out a way to actively and concretely show God’s love to people that need it. Effecting Justice Our Framework: Compassion - Prevention - Justice We have observed an interest among our congregation for enlarging our church’s vision of local outreach to include not only an emphasis on compassion, service delivery, emergency provision and so on (social service) but to also emphasize justice. We have been relatively active and effective at local outreach in the area of social service (among which are cradle roll, Elizabeth house, Bad Weather Shelter, food closet, list goes on) and we want the Bad Weather to continue doing these programs. We affirm that we have heard the clarion call to build on that effort and begin learning to do justice-related work in a holistic manner. One way to think about this is to use the visual of the waterfall below. We propose broadening our efforts (current and past) by learning how to address needs not only below the waterfall (compassion - social service, pulling people from the pool after going over) but also at the top of the waterfall (prevention – ministry to at-risk, before going over) and we propose that we begin to learn about what we can do as a community to prevent people falling in the river in the first place (justice – policy issues, social change).
As we build on and deepen our church’s experience in local community outreach by introducing a more explicit emphasis on justice, as well as on ministries of compassion and prevention; a natural outcome is that we will we begin to inquire about systemic and structural arrangements that produce or exacerbate burdens on the most vulnerable members of our city. How do current arrangements in Pasadena, for example, in areas such as social services, education, economics and housing policies, etc., help or hinder human flourishing, particularly for children and families? Addressing institutionalized evil flows naturally from a desire to fulfill our biblical mandate to “do justice” (or work for the ‘shalom’ of our city) as well as out of our commitment to unconditionally love the “least of these” in our community. Doing justice holistically will require patience, prayer, and a process of corporate learning. It will mean creating a context of trust and spaces for open conversation about the meaning of social justice, specific issues and concerns, and our available responses as a church community. It will also entail creating structured opportunities in which to act meaningfully and purposely and around which to reflect together. Serving our Community: We affirm that acts of compassion, prevention, and justice need take place in several venues and as described in Acts 1. There is a global, national and local arena to which we need to be responsive. James McMillan urged us as a church last year to look at our ministries through Jesus’ words to the disciples that he would send them to be witnesses in “Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” We have found it helpful to address, as part of a framework, the notion of geography and questions such as “who our community” and “what community are we obligated to and why?” It is our aim to provide a workable answer (not the final or only answer) upon which we can move forward.
[Again our Jerusalem/Community could be defined as a geographical area such as the immediate area in which the church is located, the City of Pasadena, the San Gabriel Valley; Or a distinct population such as the Homeless, People with Special Needs, low-income families, at risk youth or families; Or a specific mission such as Economic Justice, Affordable Housing, the Quality of Public School Education in Pasadena, Healthy Families, Battling further Gentrification, Ensuring social and economic diversity as the City of Pasadena evolves.] Ø Since its inception, Pasadena Covenant has acted on the call of Scripture, as exemplified Matthew 25 to minister to the “least of these.” Our historic support of world missions has been the dominant expression of this commitment. Within this commitment, we find that compassion, prevention and justice actions have taken place in our evangelistic efforts (see Appendix II). The field of activity of these efforts has been to the “ends of the earth.” Ø We find that Pasadena Covenant has also been involved in the “Judea” arena best exemplified by the Church of the Redeemer. We feel that this ministry has also involved compassion, prevention and justice actions (see Appendix II). Pasadena Covenant has been involved in the “Jerusalem” arena in compassion ministries as exemplified by Elizabeth House, the Bad Weather Shelter and the Food Closet. However, actions in the prevention and especially justice arena have been lacking and a holistic approach to community outreach must be adopted We believe that if we are careful to ensure that our actions arise out of “Kingdom of God” values as opposed to the political left or right then we act as Emissaries of God’s Grace. RECOMMENDATIONS
i. A Planning meeting is scheduled at Fuller from 9 to 11 am on May 9, 2006, In addition to Don, at least 3 members of the Peace and Justice Ministry Team will attend; we recommend that a member of the pastoral staff attend.
v Congregational gatherings that focus on consciousness raising and education such as a series on understanding the social conditions that obtain in the City of Pasadena such as a lecture series by the Center of Law and Poverty v Studying Best Practices by visiting other institutions that provide service to the Homeless Community or are involved in Community Outreach and Service. v Additional Bible Study Tracks in the Fall § 10 module bible study using the Compassion & Justice Curriculum by Churches Planting Ministries , ECC § A course on Organizing sponsored by the Peace and Justice Committee and taught by a trained member or a consultant. v A recommendation that funding from the church budget be committed over the next five years for Pasadena Covenant’s Peace and Justice Ministry to the local community as seed money for projects, consultation fees, administrative and office support, support for grant writing and research, and conference fees (tentative proposal = 3% of operating budget). v A recommendation that our current Website be enhanced as a portal for members to engage in the various ministries of our church. The Peace and Justice Page would become interactive and would include the following: Ø Ability to post opportunities for action such as immigration informational session Ø Ability to leave messages for Peace and Justice at Pasadena Covenant Ø Resources for Continual updating of Site Ø Monthly Newsletter Ø Links to websites pf key organizations involved in peace and justice which are not driven by political purposes v A recommendation that all new members be offered the opportunity to assess their gifts for the purpose of service and that part of new member class conveys that membership at PCC means you are committing yourself to a life of collaborative service to the communities in which you live. v Expansion of the Peace and Justice Core Group Ø Encourage Multigenerational Involvement Ø Recruit from the following Demographics o Courier Age level o 20 and 30 some things o College Age o Middle School v Identification of our “Legs” Ø Some will Some will pray Ø Some will give funds Ø Some will respond to specific calls to action: We envision that beyond the core group of Peace and Justice Team members there exists a cadre of congregation members who want to respond to calls to action such as attending city council meetings, participating in letter offerings and phone calls to our political representatives and/or participating in coalition efforts to improve the quality of public school education in the City of Pasadena. Part of this plan will call for a strategic assessment of the way Pasadena Covenant’s different committees operate and are framed within our community - in particular: Missions, Evangelism and Peace & Justice. One component of this, for example, could involve a church-wide forum on how the various ministry efforts at PCC intersect and augment one another. The goal here is that together we at Pasadena Covenant reflect on and examine how artificial separations or divisions may be embedded in our various ministry programs and consider moving toward a singular missional alignment with the purposes of God to meet the needs of the poor and disenfranchised wherever they may exist. A point of departure for this type of reflection may begin with the knowledge that injustice and evil know no national or geographic boundaries and/or a challenge to consider some of the ways that ‘doing justice’ and ‘sharing the gospel’ are more or less intertwined. In other words when we effect Justice, when we meet practical needs, we are spreading the Gospel and advancing the Kingdom of God. Closing thought “Redeeming Injustices as Emissaries of God’s Grace” - We serve a God of Justice. We are called to be instruments of peace and vessels for his use. We are called to be partners in the process of Redemption. We act out of the stream and flow of God’s Grace. As we meet practical needs and effect change, we create opportunities for those within our sphere of influence to be reconciled to God - to know the joy, grace, eternal hope and victory of true Life in Christ. However we can only make a difference when we act as the Holy Spirit directs. As we reach out to the world as God directs, we find Christ in the least of these, we are transformed and reconciliation occurs between the God & Man; Man & Man and Man & Social Systems. God’s right order is established and Shalom reigns.
APPENDICES Appendix I Sections A, B, C: Materials from the Retreat Appendix II Table: Compassion, Prevention and Justice Ministries Appendix III Bad Weather Shelter Appendix IV Congregational Development Process Appendix V Resources from Churches Planting Ministries, an initiative of the Evangelical Covenant Church designed to encourage and facilitate local congregations engaged in community ministries with the poor and at risk.
Appendix I, Section A Working Draft Pasadena Covenant Church Peace and Justice Ministry Retreat: Monday, March 20, 2006 Pasadena Covenant Church: Core Values
Appendix I, Section B Working Draft Pasadena Covenant Church Peace and Justice Ministry Retreat: Monday, March 20, 2006 Peace and Justice Ministry: Core Values
Facilitate Congregational involvement (2) Multigenerational Involvement Help people who have the greatest need Releasing gifts/passion of our members Formative How we do it more important than what we do. How will it change us as a community? To be leaven in our Church How can we best serve rather than what is most convenient? Is this what the external community needs the most? Accountable for results Allows broad range involvement Respect for the poor, what they have to offer Learning what it means to be bringers of justice as a congregation Partnering with others, not going it alone Learning where our friends hurt and meeting their stated need Justice: A … got ministry Responsive/Active Arising not out of political “left” or “right,” but out of clear “kingdom of God” values Reaches the poor Ministry to the least of these Not top down or congregational down. Point of intersection between Pasadena Covenant’s Passion and gifts and our Parish’ needs Stretch the congregation to see the poor around us as Jesus would and respond as He guides us to. Get us out of our comfort zone Creative, Caring Human dignity Consensus Learning to engage beyond the walls in a meaningful, relational and power changing ways Dignity for all Facilitate involvement for all who are interested Dignity of all people Strategic
Appendix I, Section C Working Draft
Pasadena Covenant Church Peace and Justice Ministry Retreat: Monday, March 20, 2006 Vision Brainstorming · Based on God’s call to Pasadena Covenant Church · A ministry to the poor/disenfranchised at the local, national and global levels · Formative for us as the church; moving toward transformation i.e. servant hood · Meaningful and relevant intersection between passions/gifts and real needs · A respectful work focused on the dignity of all · Educationally based—learning how to bring justice; consciousness raising · As with Pasadena Covenant Church’s broader statement, inclusive, multigenerational, prayer-centered · Engagement must be preceded by leadership, energy, group of interested congregants
Appendix II Table
Appendix III Bad Weather Shelter Pasadena Covenant Church (PCC) first became involved with homeless issues in 1988 when it became the site of the Bad Weather Shelter (BWS) (see appendix 1). The BWS began as a hypothermia prevention program, essentially trying to prevent people from dying on the streets. The program has grown considerably since its inception, with early nightly averages of 20 persons to now well over 100 persons per night. In February of 2006 we hit 200 clients for the first time. The services offered have also expanded considerably. From simple food and shelter, the BWS now offers limited medical services, case management, family day care, a 12 step program, anger management classes, and various seminars. The population we draw continues to be the most treatment resistant homeless, as well as an increasing number of families. The former is no doubt due to the fact that we have no admission requirements, unlike every other program in the city. The latter results partly from the fact that we are the only mass shelter in the area that accepts families. PCC has not only been the site of the BWS, we also have been part of the volunteer team that staffs the shelter on a weekly basis for the past 17 years. About nine years ago this responsibility increased to also supplying the food. All of the food has come from individuals in our church community and is not part of the general church budget. Currently this can cost as much as $300 per evening. During the current season there have been about 75 PCC members involved with the BWS (from staffing to donating food). Three years ago Lake Avenue Congregational Church joined our efforts and now provides the sleeping quarters for the families at the BWS. As the BWS has matured into a more comprehensive program, there has been strain on PCC facilities. Downstairs classrooms have been used for the various classes which are offered and sometimes also as an overflow for sleeping space. This has raised questions about the long term viability of continuing to host the BWS. Can our facility continue to host an ever growing population? In addition questions have been raised about the efficacy of the program. Are we really helping people to escape their dire circumstances? These and other questions have been raised within the leadership at PCC as well as at the BWS Advisory Board. Within the past year a much larger context for asking these questions has developed with the approval of Pasadena’s 10 Year Strategy to End Homelessness (Strategy). This Strategy will have a great impact on the future of the BWS. About two and a half years ago the City of Pasadena, in response to a federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) mandate, began to develop a Strategy. This involved an intensive process bringing together the City administration, police department, fire department, paramedics, BWS staff, hospital staff, Ecumenical Council staff, and other agencies and non-profits that have historically worked with this population. The process was facilitated by Joe Colletti of the Institute for Urban Research and Development (IURD). During this time various models and approaches were considered and compared with input from all sectors. The culmination of this effort came in July of 2005 with the passage of the Strategy by the City Council. The complete Strategy can be viewed at www.endhomelessness.org/localplans/PasadenaCA.pdf The Strategy addresses a wide range of individuals and households that are either currently homeless or are at risk to homelessness. Specific programs and plans are detailed that are now in the process of implementation. One of the key programs in the Strategy is the BWS. The Strategy has called for making the BWS more of a robust program, not simply focused on hypothermia prevention. It calls for lengthening the continuous operation phase to 60 days as well as adding more case workers to help with intervention (see Appendix 2). During the 2005-2006 season, the BWS has increased its continuous activation from 30 days to 45 days. We also are opening earlier (families come in at 7:15pm) in order to provide case management. It is critical to note that the increase in the robustness of the BWS is seen as strategic and temporary. The long term goal is to eliminate the need for the BWS through the other initiatives outlined by the Strategy. However, at the moment the BWS provides one of the key access points to the most resistant of the homeless population. While no time line has been presented, the clear hope is that within ten years the BWS will be a mere shadow of its current size or not exist at all. If this projected result of the Strategy is gradually achieved, the impact on PCC and its facilities should diminish over time. The Strategy calls for the implementation of various intervention programs as well as prevention programs. On the intervention side there is a call for more street outreach teams, a Sobering Station (instead of jail), a Safe Haven (where individuals can live without undue initial pressure to address addictions, etc.), increasing Shelter plus Care facilities, expanding substance abuse programs, and providing for more single room occupancy efficiency units in the city. On the prevention side there is a call for hiring a Homelessness Coordinator (completed), developing a discharge planning program, and implementing a Good Neighbor Program. The Good Neighbor Program is an effort to establish communication links into every household in Pasadena concerning homeless prevention (see appendix 3). This program is considered by HUD to be a national model and will be studied to assess its effectiveness. The most recent development in the implementation of the Strategy began in March of 2006. Spearheaded by the IURD, a partnership is developing between the City of Pasadena and Fuller Theological Seminary to promote and implement the Strategy and other urban initiatives. The vision is to have Fuller act as a convener of the faith community to carry out key areas of the Strategy. An example would be the mobilization of many churches to be part of the Good Neighbor Program. PCC, due to its longstanding commitment to the BWS, is considered a hoped for flagship in the effort to implement this new City/Fuller partnership. Possibilities include continuing the BWS ministry, being part of the Good Neighbor Program, establishing a Sobering Station, and promoting low income efficiency housing.
OPERATION OF BAD WEATHER SHELTER The BWS operates as a partnership between the City of Pasadena and the Ecumenical Council of Pasadena Area Churches. The city contributes about half of the budget needed to fund the BWS. In the 2005-2006 year, the total budget was about $120,000, with the City contributing $60,000. ECPAC raises the additional funds through grants and donations. The management of the BWS is directed by the BWS Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee is composed of the Executive Director of ECPAC, an ECPAC board member who acts as Chair, representatives from the City, representatives from PCC and Lake Avenue Congregational Church, representatives from other volunteer groups and churches, and the paid BWS Director and Assistant Directors. The Advisory Committee meets throughout the year on a monthly basis. In the 2005-2006 season, over 600 individuals from a multitude of organizations have volunteered to staff the BWS. The organizations include at least 12 churches (e.g. a consortium of Lutheran churches, All Saints, St. Edmonds, Altadena Baptist, etc,), schools (Maranatha High School, Saint Mark’s Elementary), various youth groups (including PCC’s), the Scripts Home, Fuller Seminary Psychology students, Girl Scout troops, city employees, and others. The volunteers arrive at the BWS at 6:30pm and usually leave at about 9:30pm. Paid Staff stay overnight and help the guests to be out of the facility by 7:00am. Appendix IV
Learning to Do Justice A Plan for Congregational Development An important component of our vision is to build on and deepen our church’s experience in local community outreach by introducing a more explicit emphasis on justice (social change) as well as on ministries of compassion and prevention. A renewed focus on “justice” is bound to carry with it exciting challenges. It will likely require, for example, addressing notions that such an emphasis us unduly “political” or learning how it might augment rather than detract from other aspects of the church’s ministry such as evangelism. Successfully doing justice together will require patience, prayer, and a process of corporate learning. It will also mean creating a context of trust and spaces for open conversation about the meaning of social justice, specific issues and concerns, and our available responses as a church community. We will also need to find structured opportunities in which we can begin to act meaningfully and purposely and upon which we can reflect together. Drawing on Existing Expertise We propose approaching this endeavor by employing the help of an existing organization that specializes in the area of doing justice. An established and reputable organization that is currently active in our region is One LA. One LA is a Los Angeles County-wide community organizing movement in its sixth year. It is an affiliate of the Industrial Areas Foundation, a national network founded over 60 years ago which essentially started the community organi |
