Social Justice
A Just Society
by Oscar Romero (1935-1982)
A civilization of love that did not demand justice of people would not be a true civilization, it would not delineate genuine human relations.
It is a caricature of love to try to cover over with alms what is lacking in justice, to patch up with an appearance of benevolence when social justice is missing.
True love begins by demanding what is just in the relations of those who love
Wellington Avenue Church has a long history of involvement in social justice issues on the state, national and international levels. Over the past 40 years, Wellington has offered a place of refuge for a wide variety of folk: Cuban, Chilean, Vietnamese, and South African exiles, conscience objectors, Good Shepherd Metropolitan Community Church, and Roman Catholic women gathered to protest the absence of dialogue within their communion. In the 1970s Wellington's ministry was focused locally on helping member, James Harper, to establish an Uptown center for alcoholics (now known as Harper House).
Internationally, the congregation's attention turned to the victims and survivors of human rights abuses in southern Africa and Central America. Through Collins Ramusi, a South African exile, Wellington established a sister church relationship with a Labowa Homeland congregation, and later sent a representative to help in registering pepole to cast their first-ever vote on that homeland for their first elections in southern Africa and Central America. In the early 80s Wellington was challenged to become the final station on an Underground Railroad that was being put in place to bring El Salvadoran refugees to Chicago. After faithful consideration and weighing the cost, the congregation declared itself a Public Sanctuary in 1984, the second in the nation to do so. Through all these people and events, Wellington has not only been challenged to grow, but has been deeply blessed by the people we have come to know and love
Statement in Opposition to and Denouncement of Violence, War, and Any Form of State Sanctioned Violence and Death And Resolution to Encourage, Support and Develop Peace Studies, Non-violence Training
As unanimously adopted by the congregation of Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ at the June 20th, 2004, Congregational Meeting.
The Wellington Avenue United Church Covenant of Faith We believe that, as a sign of God's continued renewal of the world and God's care for people, God is raising up a new community of faith and making with that community a covenant of God's peace. We people of Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ say YES to the covenant which God is making, and we claim membership in that community of faith. In so doing, we covenant with one another to enter into the inner life of this community, caring for and renewing each other. And we take upon ourselves its struggles with all the powers which bring war, oppression, injustice, sickness, loneliness and death. Individually and as a community, we will make clear our YES to God's covenant through specific tasks and actions. We will do the tasks with sincerity, and we will trust that the One who has laid them upon us is faithful to perform them by our hands, in spite of our weakness and inconsistency. We enter this community of faith with the understanding that this is the unique time and place given to us, and we will work toward a life of greater commitment, simplicity and joy.
As followers of the God of Life, we, the members of Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ, reaffirm and publicly declare it is our belief that …
Exodus 20:13 "You shall not kill."
Matthew 5:9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:38, 39, 43, 44 "You have heard that it was said, `An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, Do not resist one who is evil. But if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn to them the other also. You have heard that it was said, `You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."
Matthew 7:12 "In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets."
Matthew 26:52 Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword."
Luke 6:27, 29 'But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also;"
Luke 6:35-36 "But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for God is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Continue becoming merciful, just as your God is merciful."
Luke 6:37 "Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven;"
John 8:7 But when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them: "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her."
Romans 12:17-21 Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." No, "if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
1 Thessalonians 5:15 See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all.
1 Peter 2:21-23 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. He committed no sin; no guile was found on his lips. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he trusted in God who judges justly.
1 Peter 3:8-9 Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love of the brethren, a tender heart and a humble mind. Do not return evil for evil or reviling for reviling; but on the contrary bless, for to this you have been called, that you may obtain a blessing.
And as followers of the God of Life, we, the members of Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ, acknowledge God's call to non-violence as a basic tenet of our faith. We have chosen, as a community, to faithfully answer that call. In so doing, we reaffirm and publicly declare our opposition to and denouncement of physical or economic violence, war, weaponry and any form of state-sanctioned violence and death; including: conscription, military service, physical or mental torture, and the death penalty.
And we reaffirm our covenant "with one another to… take upon ourselves the struggle with all the powers which bring war, oppression, injustice… and death." In so doing we declare our support for civil disobedience in opposition to the powers of violence and death. We also encourage and support Conscientious Objection.
Where as Conscientious Objection (CO) is an ancient and honored tradition in the Christian community and at WAUCC and members of WAUCC have been CO's during wars, including WWII, and Vietnam, and
Where as US military selective service registration is still required of all 18 year old male US citizens, and
Where as members of the US Congress are calling for the reinstitution of the military draft;
Therefore be it resolved that WAUCC reaffirms that CO is a faithful human and Christian decision and will do all that it can to ensure that all it's youth have the information with which to make a CO decision and the necessary support to exercise it;
Therefore be it further resolved that WAUCC instructs it's Church Council to develop a mechanism to:
· Develop a peace studies as a component of our Christian Education Program and emphasize non-violence and peace making at personal, family, community and international levels;
· Work with the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) to develop and distribute information packets to all WAUCC youth and their families, as well as other Lakeview Action Coalition (LAC) congregations;
· Recruit and train draft counselors;
· Work with WAUCC youth and their families to create the documentation that will enable the youth to petition for CO status, should a draft be reinstated; and to maintain documentation files for each youth as a part of the official church records;
· Develop a current theological document articulating WAUCC's Biblical and theological basis for supporting CO, using The Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ Statement in Opposition to and Denouncement of Violence, War, and Any Form of State Sanctioned Violence and Death as a starting point, and present it to the congregation at the January congregational meeting for approval.
TO SUPPORT COLOMBIANS AT RISK BY PROVIDING SANCTUARY
Submitted by the Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ Colombia Sanctuary Taskforce at the June 29th, 2003 Congregational Meeting. The resolution was amended and passed at the June 29th, 2003 Congregational Meeting and again amended on September 7th, 2003 at a special Congregational Meeting. This document has been revised to include said changes.
Background
Colombia has been embroiled in a brutal civil war for nearly 40 years. During this time approximately 200,000 Colombians have been killed and 2 million have lost their homes and jobs. Many who have been killed had been labor organizers, religious workers, indigenous activists, community leaders, and human rights defenders whose non-violent tactics are perceived as threatening by the armed actors on all sides.
The United States Government has fueled this conflict by sending military aid and personnel under the guise of fostering peace and funding for the eradication of coca crops. Much of this money has gotten into the hands of para-military groups who are on the U.S. list of terrorist organizations. These para-military groups are known to be some of the most brutal mercenaries in the world who often do the "dirty work" of the Colombian government. Monies supplied by the U.S. are used to protect U.S. oil interests that cause massive displacement of indigenous peoples.
Summary
This resolution calls for the congregation of Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ to be a beacon of light in the darkness of Colombia's war torn wilderness. To lead the way in our community by educating ourselves, so that we may better understand the complex realities of the Colombian situation and react in a manner consistent with our history of living out our faith in action.
Biblical, Theological, and Ethical Rationale
Paul reminded the church at Galatia: "Bear one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ" (Gal. 6:2). Zechariah, father of John, prophesied the ways his son would prepare for a reconciling Christ, coming "to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace" (Lk. 1:79). We as Christians are called to live these words in support for our Colombian brothers and sisters who are living in the darkness of war and terror that can be broken by the light of Christ's gospel of peace. Christians are called on to "bear one another's burdens," and our brothers and sisters in Colombia ask us to learn, to speak truth, and to act on what we know. We are called to be present with those under attack because of their living witness to the gospel.
Resolution
WHEREAS, Colombian labor organizers, religious workers, indigenous activists, community leaders, health care workers and human rights defenders are under attack. Colombia's armed groups target all that counsel nonviolence, refuse to take sides, provide pastoral care and humanitarian assistance to 2.7 million displaced persons. For example, Protestant leaders reported that during the first seven months of 2002, at least twenty Protestant pastors and church leaders were assassinated and more than four hundred churches were closed. Offices of churches and church alliances working for peace have been intimidated through unwarranted searches, and
WHEREAS, at the same time that churches and leaders who provide humanitarian aid have come under attack, the number of displaced Colombians has continued to grow, with the 342,000 displaced in 2001 increased by one thousand per month in the first six months of 2002, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and
WHEREAS, throughout the countryside, churches are caught in the middle of the conflict. In Bojoya, Choco, in May 2002, 119 Afro-Colombians were killed in their church, where they had taken refuge during a fight between two armed groups. Colombian pastors and church leaders met with the UCC Ecumenical Delegation in July 2002 and reported on their situations. Their common plea to North Americans was, "No more arms, no more arms," and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Congress has authorized increased funds for U.S. military action in support of the Colombian government as part of drug enforcement, war against guerrilla groups, and protection of oil pipelines, resulting in violence toward labor organizers, religious workers, indigenous activists, community leaders, human rights defenders, health care workers, and church leaders, which has increased the areas of intensified military action, particularly in Arauca, and
WHEREAS, we, the congregation of Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ, have declared ourselves to be a Sanctuary Church in the past, providing a safe shelter and sanctuary to those whose lives were in great jeopardy and at risk of death, and WHEREAS, we, the congregation of Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ, as a founding body of the Chicago Sanctuary Alliance are called upon for leadership in this time of profound need, and
WHEREAS, Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ has many members who are passionately working for a peaceful Colombia on many fronts and it is right and just to support them in hearing and responding to the call of God to faithful action, and
WHEREAS, the Chicago Colombia Sanctuary Project, composed of many area churches, including St. Paul's United Church of Christ, and Broadway Methodist, have made a commitment to this project and have pledged support and resources to work with Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ should we choose to again declare ourselves a sanctuary church, and
WHEREAS, Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ Colombia Sanctuary Task Force has been charged by WAUCC Church Council, has made regular reports to WAUCC Church Council and the WAUCC Church Council has affirmed this current course of action.
THEREFORE LET IT BE RESOLVED, that Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ urges it's congregation to call attention to U.S. support for the militarization of Colombia that increases attacks on churches and peace activists, and
LET IT BE FURTHER RESOLVED, Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ should follow the example of the Twenty-fourth General Synod who is asking Wider Church Ministries to develop programs to support Colombian labor organizers, religious workers, indigenous activists, community leaders, health care workers and human rights defenders under attack and encourages member churches to engage in educational programs that describe the process for becoming sanctuary churches, providing protection and hospitality to Colombians needing to flee for safety, and
LET IT BE FURTHER RESOLVED, that Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ call on the United States government to grant Temporary Protective Status to Colombians who are in need of international protection, as urged by the U.N. High Commissioner of Refugees, and
LET IT BE FURTHER RESOLVED, that Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ Colombia Sanctuary Task Force will provide information for this congregation that describe the process for again declaring sanctuary, to provide shelter, safety, and refuge for those fleeing for their lives. This will initially consist of an educational series every Sunday during the month of September, 2003 including the church retreat. A special congregational meeting will be called in October, 2003 to decide our course of faithful action, and
LET IT BE FURTHER RESOLVED, that Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ be urged to pray and work for peace in Colombia and to develop letter-writing campaigns to officials here and in Colombia. All congregates are urged to work for an end to U.S. policies that add to the violence among our brothers and sisters there.
LET IT BE FINALLY RESOLVED, that we declare Sanctuary for Colombians today and we take this step in tribute to the 33 years of risk-taking and life-giving ministry of David and Eloise Chevrier. We will move forward in faith, with the support of other churches and the Chicago Sanctuary Alliance, providing sanctuary in the Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ parsonage for Colombians at risk. The Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ Columbia Sanctuary Taskforce will continue to work out the details making regular reports to both the Church Council and the congregation
Taskforce Members: Lauren Cannon, Gerald Paoli, Beth Poteet, Lan Richart, Pam Richart, Susan Thomas, John Volkening. This document was prepared by Gerald Paoli and John Volkening, and was amended at the June 29, 2003 WAUCC Congregational Meeting by Michael McConnell. This resolution was approved by the WAUCC congregation June 29, 2003. Note: During the discussion at the June 29th meeting it was recommended that the educational component begin as quickly as possible. The initial teach-in, after the amended resolution passed, was after church on July 13th. These teach-ins have continued including speakers that have recently returned from Colombia and a worship service on August 17th. A presentation is also scheduled as part of the retreat.
Death Penalty Panel Review
About 50 people attended the death penalty panel review on Tuesday, March 14 at Wellington. The review was cosponsored by Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ, 8th Day Center for Justice, The Peace Museum, and the Illinois Coalition for a Moratorium on the Death Penalty now renamed, the Death Penalty Moratorium Project. Dick Simpson hosted and moderated the event. Dan Sanders, lawyer for Anthony Porter (the first in the recent series of 13 wrongfully convicted men released from death row) was the keynote speaker. There was a panel consisting of Aviva Futorian, Attorney and V.P. of the Moratorium Project, Ronald Jones, wrongfully convicted and recently released from death row after 16 years, and Costella Cannon, mother of Frank Pounds, a wrongfully convicted victim on death row who died of cancer while awaiting his retrial. Each speaker was powerful and profound. A free-will offering of $340 was collected and given to the Moratorium Project to be donated to Ronald Jones. Mr. Jones was very grateful as he was forced to sign forms which prohibit him from suing the State of Illinois to compensate him in any way.
Jubilee 2000 trip to Washington, DC
The event was held from April 8-11 in Washington, D.C. and several Wellingtonians traveled to Washington, D.C. to show the church's support of the Jubilee movement to erase the debt of poor third-world countries.
Supported Organizations in 2000
- NEIS
- 8th Day Center for Justice for the Good Friday Walk sponsorship
- All God´s Children Chorus/Chicago Community Renewal Society
AIDS Ride
This event, held annually in July, involves a bike ride from Minneapolis to Chicago. Several Wellington members are planning to ride and need sponsorship. Call the church office if you are interested in being a sponsor.
