Inspired by Micah 6:8, “Do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God,” the Social Justice Ministry at FPCPA is committed to acting out our faith by working for positive change in our community and throughout the world.
We take seriously the call of Jesus to “feed the hungry and clothe the naked.” We also take seriously Jesus’ call to identify, challenge, and change the systems of injustice in our world.
We affirm that nonviolence and peacemaking are essential to our faith in God’s reconciling work in Jesus Christ, as written in our commitment to being a Peace Church.
EVENTS
DANCING WITH HISTORY- A BOOK TALK WITH GEORGE LAKEY
February 13
6 pm
First Pres Sanctuary and Zoom
Register HERE
Join Quaker Activist and Master Storyteller George Lakey as he shares vignettes from his life at the center of history-making events as one of the world’s most effective practitioners and teachers of nonviolent resistance, from Vietnam to El Salvador and Boston to Bolivia; he has danced through history and taught tens of thousands of others to dive into that dance. From the personal to the political, intimate, difficult, at times painful and other times joyful, come along on that dance and leave at the end of the evening empowered and hopeful.
Sponsored by First Presbyterian Church of Palo Alto, the Peninsula Peace and Justice Center, Multifaith Voices for Peace And Justice, and Reach And Teach. Attendance is free. Books will be available for sale and signing. For additional information, click HERE.
WHAT DOES BEING A PEACE CHURCH MEAN – A FIVE-WEEK SERIES OF DISCUSSIONS
Thursdays, February 23 to March 23
6:30 to 8 pm
Zoom
Register HERE
Led by Rev. Geoff Browning
With guest speakers: Rev. Mark Davidson and Rev. Ben Daniel
In 2016 First Presbyterian Church of Palo Alto became a “peace church,” an official designation of the Presbyterian Church, USA. We were the first peace church in the denomination; now, there are four others. But what does being a peace church mean? Come join the discussion with our 5-week series, starting Thursday, Feb. 23, and led by former member and current parish associate, Rev. Geoff Browning.
Feb 23rd – The Inventory of Conscience Survey Presenter/Host: Rev. Geoff Browning
March 2nd – Nonviolence in the Teachings of Jesus Presenter/Host: Rev. Mark Davidson
March 9th – Nonviolence in the Early Church Presenter/Host: Rev. Mark Davidson
March 16th – Nonviolence in the Epistles Presenter/Host: Rev. Mark Davidson
March 23rd – Can War be Just? Presenter/Host: Rev. Ben Daniel
Other guest speakers:
Our church has provided guidance and education for many conscientious objectors in our congregation. These are young men who are required by law to register for selective service on their 18th birthday and include Joshua Ching, Chris Iyer, Alex Iyer, Jay Henderson, Jeremy Mineau, and others.
NEWS
We, along with members from All Saint’s Episcopal, recently completed an IM4HI accompaniment of Juan Jose, an asylum seeker from El Salvador. In that eight months, he received his work permit, studied English at Sequoia Adult School, completed some required community service hours, and worked part-time. He has recently moved to Texas to live with his brother.
In June, we packed 10000 meals for Rise Against Hunger, which will distribute to refugees. We hosted Hotel de Zink in July, providing food and shelter for ~15 unhoused adults, and will do the same for Heart and Home Collaborative in February. In August, we will participate in the San Jose Pride Festival, helping to staff an interfaith booth.
We prepared a statement in support of our denomination’s statement of complicity with and repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery. Session passed it in May 2021. For more details, see https://www.fprespa.org/session-passes-a-statement-on-the-doctrine-of-discovery/
What We Do: A SAMPLING OF SOCIAL JUSTICE MINISTRY WORK AT Fpcpa
- Accompany asylum seekers, with the help of the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity. Click here to learn more about accompaniment.
- Support Cool Planet, a working group at First Pres addressing the issues of climate change and environmental justice.
- Collect food donations every Sunday for the Downtown Streets Team Food Closet.
- Organize monthly letter-writing to legislators on social justice issues such as hunger, climate change, and immigration policy.
- Promote and attend monthly interfaith Peaceful Presence services organized by Multifaith Voices for Peace and Justice.
- Host an annual Rise Against Hunger event where we to pack meals for refugees around the world. As a Hunger Action Congregation, we educate our congregations about hunger issues.
- Host Hotel de Zink every July, providing shelter and meals for unhoused adults.
- Form a team for the annual Church World Service CROP Hunger Walk that also benefits the Ecumenical Hunger Project.
- Raise funds for the Day Worker Center of Mountain View, which connects workers and employers in a safe and supportive environment.
- Work with More Light Presbyterians to support members of the LGBTQIA+ community in our denomination and society.
- Partner with organizations such as Puente de la Costa Sur in Pescadero, a resource center that serves immigrant workers and others on the South Coast, and Youth Community Service, a local organization that works with underprivileged youth.
- Offer financial support to nonprofits whose goals align with ours. Click here for a list of organizations to which we donated in 2021.
Join Us!
Our committee meets monthly, alternating between 11:30 am on the second Saturday of the month and noon on the second Wednesday. Currently, we’re meeting by Zoom. We’d love to have you join us. If you have questions, please contact the Session member for Social Justice Ministry or admin@fprespa.org.
