Mission
The Social Justice Ministry Team works together to facilitate the ways we are able to put our faith into action. The mission of The United Methodist church has always been to foster "personal holiness and social responsibility." Faith is always a deeply personal experience impacting us in a variety of ways. Yet that faith, when authentic, moves us beyond ourselves, out into the world to make a positive difference.
Staff & Team Members
Pastor Debbie, Minister of Discipleship, works closely with the Social Justice Ministry Team, along with Patricia Parfett, Adult Ministries Coordinator. Both Patricia and Pastor Debbie are on staff at the church and can be reached through the church office or by email. The lay members of the Social Justice Ministry Team are nominated and elected to service by the congregation through the annual Church Conference. If you sense that God is calling you to this kind of service, please be in touch with Patricia and Pastor Debbie.
Resource
Find out what the Bible says, The United Methodist Church says, the facts say, and what you can say on various social justice topics such as: Darfur, Health Care, Immigration, and Global Warming. The General Board of Church and Society of The United Methodist Church provides "Faith and Facts Cards" with this information. Click here to learn more. Each card on the listed topics is available in a PDF to print.
Introducing the Social Justice Ministry Team
We are a new ministry formed to help LAUMC fulfill its mission to be: A church doing justice, loving kindness and walking humbly with God.
We are an old ministry—going back to Wesley: "To reform the nation and...spread scriptural holiness over the land." As Senior Pastor, Mark Bollwinkel, says in LAUMC's Mission Statement:
"It's not enough for us to enjoy the privileges and prosperity of our life in Silicon Valley. We are not comfortable knowing that one in four children in California live in poverty, or that thousands of children will die every day of hunger and malnutrition-related diseases around the world....We insist that God's grace and possibility can save the broken world in which we live. We yearn for a marriage of personal spirituality and social responsibility in our lives."
Our ministry is one of prayerful discernment, study (including JustFaith classes), and advocacy: it is global in scope. We are currently exploring the issues of Fair Trade and Health Care Reform.
Who are we?
Staff: Pastor Debbie Weatherspoon, Patricia Parfett, Adult Ministries Coordinator
Elected lay members: Christa Amsden, Chuck Dunker, Chuck King, Julie King, Jill Klein, Harriet Palmer, Lois Prior, Dana Stern
We invite you to send your feedback and get involved!
Contact us at sjm@laumc.org or by calling Patricia Parfett (650-383-9322). If you request, we will send you email updates and invitations to events of interest.
Programs:
JustFaith
Sundays, 6:30pm, Garden Room
September 20, 2009 – June 3, 2010
JustFaith is an ecumenical and life changing experience which examines the themes of common good; shared rights and responsibilities; value of human dignity, solidarity, respect for creation; grassroots wisdom and energy; and the call to stand with the poor. New classes are forming for the Fall. If you would like to receive an email update when the class schedule is ready, please email Patricia Parfett, Adult Ministry Coordinator. www.justfaith.org
Social Justice E-List
Are you interested in learning about social justice issues and events? Our Social Justice ministry has a free subscription e-list just for you! Please email Patricia Parfett and request SJM E-List.
Community organizations:
Destination: Home – Housing Our Community
United Methodist related:
General Board of Church & Society
