Legislative Conference focuses on economic justice
“Render Unto Caesar: Reclaiming Our Prophetic Voice” is the theme for the 2012 Eastern Washington Legislative Conference, which will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 21, at the Episcopal Cathedral of St. John, 127 E. 12th Ave. The cost for the conference is $20.00 and includes lunch, 2 workshops, and the speakers.
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| Julia Stronks, Keynote speaker for Legislative Conference |
The keynote speaker, Julia Stronks, Lindaman Chair and professor of political science, gender and law at Whitworth University, will address “The Global Economy and Us.”
A panel of leaders discussing their denomination’s recent statements on economic justice will include the Rev. Dale Cockrum, United Methodist District Superintendent; the Rev. Pat Hartin, ecumenical officer of the Catholic Diocese of Spokane; the Rev. Jimmie Pierce, president of the Spokane Ministers’ Fellowship, and the Right Rev. James Waggoner, Jr., bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Spokane.
The Rev. Paul Benz, co-director of the Faith Action Network of Washington, and Scott Cooper, director of Parish Social Services of Catholic Charities Spokane, will present summaries of issues before the state legislature at 1 p.m.
There will be workshops at 9:30 a.m. and at 1:30 p.m.
Both sessions will include workshops on state budget and revenue issues, and on environmental stewardship.
| 2012 Eastern WA Legislative Conference Bulletin Inserts Download here |
Workshop leaders on the budget are Marilee Roloff, director of Volunteers of America of the Inland Northwest; the Rev. Kris Christensen, urban missioner at Holy Trinity Episcopal in West Central Spokane, and Dan Morrissey of Gonzaga University School of Law.
The environmental workshops will focus on water and toxics in the morning and on transportation of waste and products related to coal, nuclear and oil sands energy in the afternoon. Leaders include Rachael Paschal Osborn of the Center for Environmental Law and Policy in Spokane, Jesse Dye of Earth Ministry in Seattle and Crystal Gartner, associate field organizer for the Sierra Club.
A morning workshop on “Advocating Congregations” will be led by Lynda Maraby, urban missioner and Eastern Washington representative on the Faith Action Network Board.
Afternoon workshops will also include time for questions with the keynote speaker and panelists, plus a workshop on “What Does It Mean to Be a Prophetic Pastor in These Times?” led by the Protest Chaplains of Spokane.
Planning opening and closing worship experiences are the Rev. Nick Block of Spokane Friends Church and the Rev. Deb Conklin of Liberty Park and St. Paul United Methodist churches.
Organizers for the event are the Faith Action Network of Washington and The Fig Tree.The cost for the 2012 Eastern WA Legislative Conference is $20.00 payable at the door, or online through the Paypal "donate" button. Be sure to designate the EWLC.
For information, call 535-4112 or 206-625-9790 or email malcolm@thefigtree.org.
Copyright © January 2012 - The Fig Tree